Chapter 27: Full Circle

May slowly opened her eyes after her long sleep. As her eyelids peeled back see was greeted with the sight of Ash sound asleep and between them rested their hands still loosely holding each other. This time she had no regrets for what had happened the night before in fact it was the exact opposite. She had finally accepted and admitted her feelings for Ash and he had returned them wholeheartedly and for that reason alone she knew last night's actions where the right ones. She didn't care what the day would bring or the many days ahead, as long as she could share them with Ash she knew she would be happy. Ash shifted slightly and she felt his hand tense as he began to awaken.

"Are you awake?" Ash whispered.

"Yep" May replied softly.

Ash opened his eyes and as they focused on the girl beside him a small but joyful smile took over his face.

"Hey there beautiful." Ash whispered adoringly.

"Hey there." May giggled making Ash's smile even wider.

Ash nudged closer to his new partner leant in and kissed her softly on the lips sending slight shivers down the side of her face, she loved it when he kissed her like this. They both pulled away slowly and stared longingly into each other's eyes. Ash felt like he could never get tired of looking into her sapphire eyes, he had never seen such a brilliant shade of blue in a person's eyes before and it entranced him.

"Last night almost felt like a dream." May smiled.

"Well, I hope to have more dreams like that one then." Ash replied cheekily.

"You perve." May chuckled slightly as she slapped Ash's shoulder making him chuckle in response.

"So I guess we're a couple now?" Ash half realised half asked.

"Your right we are aren't we." May replied just coming to terms with it herself.

"I don't know why but it feels right saying it, don't you think?" Ash asked his new girlfriend.

"Yes it really does." May smiled before leaning forward and giving him a small peck on the cheek.

"You want some breakfast?" Ash asked as he leant upwards.

"That sounds great." May replied as she rested into her pillow.

Ash got out of bed and put on his shorts and singlet getting ready to make the two of them breakfast. May couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like Ash back in her life but now it was different, they were grown up and now they were partners, it was better than she had ever hoped for. Ash opened his bedroom door and then suddenly jumped back in surprise, when May looked up she saw Pikachu and Glaceon standing in front of the door. Pikachu had his arms crossed and did not look happy while Glaceon seemed confused but when she saw May in the bed with only the sheets around her body her face turned to one of shock.

"Damn you two almost gave me a heart attack." Ash responded.

Unimpressed Pikachu began shouting angrily and hit his fist against the wall for added effect before slapping both hands against his ears all the while Glaceon continued to look more and more displeased.

"Oh right you two were inside last night, um sorry about that." Ash said as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

Pikachu put his hands on his hips in annoyance when suddenly Glaceon shook her head with closed eyes and jumped forward with a high pitched cry head butting Ash square in the groin.

"Arrrrrrr my balls!" Ash cried out in pain as he fell to the floor and clutched his aching manhood.

"Glaceon!" May cried out in surprise but the ice type continued to shake her head and ran out of the room.

Pikachu looked over his fallen trainer who was moaning in extreme pain and remembered the same look Ash had when he himself had whacked Ash in the crown jewels. Feeling this was justice enough Pikachu turned around and walked out the door quite content. May got her nightgown back on and was quick to Ash's side, who was still rolling on the ground.

"You alright Ash?" May asked as she laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Why does this happen every morning after I have sex with you, why?" Ash moaned.

"I'm sure a little bit of pain won't stop you from trying again." May giggled.

"I don't know, Glaceon's got one mean head butt." Ash wheezed.

"Come on now, I'll help you get breakfast ok." May said as she helped Ash to his feet.

"Sounds good." Ash replied pushing through the pain.

Ash eventually recovered from Glaceon's attack while May had the task of explaining to Glaceon what had happened last night, the ice type was still slightly disapproving but could tell that her trainer had truly found someone special. Together Ash and May made bacon and eggs on toast for breakfast and gave Pikachu and Glaceon their breakfast as well. When their food was ready Ash and May both dug in May's table manners where better then Ash's but not by a huge margin, something they both hadn't grown out of.

As May was eating she noticed Ash had suddenly stopped, looking across to him she saw him looking at her almost in a trance, a slight goofy smile on his face.

"Ash you're staring at me again." May said playfully.

"Can't help it I guess you're just going to have to get used to it." Ash grinned.

"Or maybe you should be more discrete about it." May smiled while raising one eyebrow.

"I'll try but no promises." Ash snickered.

'Wow we're really boyfriend and girlfriend now.' May thought to herself.

'I've known him for so long and been through so much I wonder how different it will be compared to the old days?' May drifted off when suddenly an idea hit her.

"Ash I want to try something." May stated looking upbeat.

"Ok what is it?" Ash asked.

"Well it's a surprise so I'm going to go get everything organised but you have to stay here ok." May instructed.

"Um ok then." Ash obliged.

May energetically got up from the table and went out the door Ash noted that she hadn't finished her breakfast but instead focused on finishing his own. Whatever May's idea was it was enough to make her forget her hard made breakfast and run out the door but she seemed very motivated about it. After waiting for a few minutes Ash heard the door open again and May came back down the hall looking even more excited than before.

"Ok put this blindfold on and I'll lead you out." May instructed holding up the blindfold.

"Aren't you going to finish your breakfast?" Ash asked.

"That can wait now come on." May asked of Ash again.

"Alright then, let's go." Ash gave in getting up from his chair and putting the blindfold on.

May held Ash's hand as she walked him outside, Ash couldn't quite tell where they were going but he could feel the grass under his shoes which meant they were probably going further onto his property but to what part of it he wasn't sure. He could also hear Pikachu and Glaceon following not far behind them. Finally May stopped walking and got ready to remove Ash blindfold.

"You ready?" May asked cheerfully.

"I'm on the edge of my seat." Ash replied jokingly.

May removed the blindfold and as Ash's eyes adjusted to the light he saw the clearing in the forest he had made when he first moved here with a battle zone carved into the ground. The primary area he used for training at home. Standing at one end was Sceptile with his arms crossed chewing a twig, seemingly waiting for the two of them to arrive.

"What's going on?" Ash asked.

"Go to your side of the battlefield and I'll show you." May replied with a wide smile on her face before jogging to the opposite side of the field.

Ash walked to the side of the battlefield Sceptile was on, while Pikachu and Glaceon sat off to the side and waited to see what would happen.

"You know what's happening Sceptile?" Ash asked the grass type getting a shake of the head from the forest lizard.

"Ash do you remember after the Battle Frontier the contest we entered together?" May asked.

"Oh coarse that was the last day we spent together before we all went our separate ways and where we both won the Terracotta Ribbon." Ash remembered how Sceptile split the ribbon in half with his Leaf Blade.

"Exactly but the thing is we never really had a chance to finish the battle did we?" May proclaimed.

"Well no we ran out of time in the end, but why bring that up now?" Ash asked.

May smiled at his response she then reached into her pocket and pulled out a Pokeball. May threw it into the air releasing a bright light that materialised on the field revealing the very first Pokémon she ever had, Blaziken.

"We've come a long way since we parted all those years ago, walked down many paths and yet here we are back together. Personally I can't think of a better way to see just how far we've come then to finish the battle we started back then." May revealed.

"You want to battle me and Sceptile?" Ash asked.

Ash didn't doubt May's abilities as a trainer but the last time they faced off they were both fighting for their lives in the midst of such incredible anger not to mention that Sceptile and Blaziken went toe to toe twice.

"Yes I want to battle you, I want this to be a symbol of moving forward to the next stage of our lives. As well to moving on from the mistakes we've made." May admitted.

Ash now knew that May indeed understood what this meant but she was using this as a way to try and fix her mistakes by recreating a time when everyone was happy instead of lingering on their dark past.

"I see, Sceptile why don't you and Blaziken shake hands?" Ash proposed.

Sceptile momentarily looked back at Ash but started to walk towards Blaziken none the less. This was important because if Sceptile and Blaziken couldn't get over their last encounter then the whole point of what May was trying to do would be lost. As the grass and fire type met in the centre of the field they looked at each other silently as if sizing each other up, the silence was beginning to make May nervous. At the same time Sceptile and Blaziken both grinned cheerfully and together they put their fists forward and knocked them together in a play full exchange.

Ash breathed a sigh of relief this was even better in a way, the two of them were rivals well before they were enemies and that exchange proved they were able to rekindle that rivalry and put aside the events of that dark day.

"Alright looks like we are ready, you want the first move?" Ash asked as Sceptile and Blaziken moved back to their sides of the field.

"I would love to." May smiled confidently.

They hadn't noticed it but a few of Ash's and May's Pokémon had gathered with Pikachu and Glaceon from the forest and were watching in eager anticipation. The Pokémon Ash had caught from Hoenn were especially excited, they had been waiting for this rematch for a long time.

"This will be a one on one match first to a knockout wins but above all everyone have fun!" May declared energetically.

Ash could see the enthusiasm in May's actions and it got him riled up as well. He didn't want to be seen as going easy on her but he wanted the match to last for a while so he decided to give May as much opportunities as possible, he wanted to have fun as well.

"Oh and I've got one final surprise for you Ash." May called out with both hands on her hips.

"Do tell." Ash grinned.

"How about I show you." May declared as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a large bracelet with a bright stone in the middle of it.

"Wait is that a-" Ash stuttered.

"Yep it's a Key Stone and when I give Blaziken his Mega Stone, well you know the rest." May smiled.

"That is a surprise." Ash smiled back seemingly unfazed.

"But you see Charizard isn't the only one of my Pokémon that I can Mega Evolve." Ash spoke as he reached into his pocket.

"Do tell." May replied cheekily.

"Why don't I show you?" Ash retorted pulling out his own Key Stone and giving Sceptile a bright rock.

"Sceptile can Mega Evolve and I knew Blaziken could do the same but I never knew you'd have its Mega Stone." Ash spoke as he put on his bracelet.

"It was a gift from my dad after he found it and this will only be the third time I've used it." May replied as she fitted her own bracelet.

"This battle just got a whole lot more interesting." Ash eyed off with May from across the field.

"Let's do this together you ready Ash?" May called out.

"You bet." Ash replied barely able to contain him excitement.

"Beyond evolution, hear my heart and Mega Evolve!" Ash and May called out in unison.

Brilliant lights burst out of the Pokémon's mega stones and their trainer's bracelets, each one intersected with each other and glowed even brighter as the powers combined. Sceptile and Blaziken absorbed this power and their bodies lit up with brilliant lights as their bodies began to change. With one final flash the bright lights faded revealing Sceptile's and Blaziken's new forms.

Sceptile had grown taller and its head had become more streamline, the seeds on its back had grown larger and now had multiple colours. The blades on its arms had grown even larger and his tail had become enormous with leaf like points and a red tip that made it look like a missile. Blaziken stood with one foot off the ground, its yellow markings turned to black and the fire on its wrists burning outwards in long streams. It's normally backwards facing head feathers now stood upwards creating two large wing like shapes.

Both trainers looked upon the two Pokémon in awe, Mega Evolution was not new to them but it never ceased to amaze. Ash and May locked eyes with each other and could instantly see how ready they were to get started.

"Let's go." Ash declared.

"Blaziken use Blaze Kick." May called out.

Blaziken bend the leg it was standing on and with one small push launched itself straight at Sceptile, its front foot already burning brightly.

"Sceptile block with Dragon Claw." Ash began.

Sceptile's arms glowed with the dark green dragon energy that pooled over his forearms creating three long claw like blades, right before Blaziken hit Sceptile the grass type brought both arms up in front of himself and blocked the fiery kick creating a loud cracking sound across the field and sending embers in all directions.

"Hit Blaziken back with your tail." Ash instructed without hesitation.

"Kick his tail back Blaziken." May countered.

Sceptile retracted his Dragon Claws and with spun around with such speed May almost didn't see it. Sceptile swung his large tail around at Blaziken while he was still airborne but Blaziken was able to thrust one leg forward and collide with the side of Sceptile's tail reducing some of the force. However Sceptile was still able to finish his spin and launch Blaziken backwards through the air. Blaziken summersaulted backwards and landed gracefully on the ground as if had performed one of his own jumps.

Already Ash and May had gaged the power that their opponents Pokémon had gained with their mega evolution. May instantly saw a rise in Sceptile's attack strength, but his speed had become even more amazing, she had trouble tracing his movements before but now it was on a whole new level. Ash had also noticed a boost in Blaziken's speed but his attack strength was what had really risen, fortunately Sceptile had gained another advantage with his Mega Evolution.

"So you know May when Sceptile mega evolves he gains a secondary typing of Dragon." Ash revealed.

"So that means Blaziken's fire attacks are no longer super effective." May concluded.

"You got it, so what's new with Mega Blaziken?" Ash asked.

"I could tell you but I'm sure you'll figure it out." May teased.

"Well that's a little unfair, so I'll just take the next move." Ash snickered.

"Sceptile used Leaf Blade." Ash started his offensive.

"Blaziken use Fire Spin." May called out.

Sceptile's arm blades lengthened even further but this time had a red outline along there edges. Sceptile then raced forward his intimidating four blades seeming to cut through the air itself. Blaziken breathed in and sent forward a spiralling column of flame but Sceptile easily sidestepped the Fire Spin and kept on running towards Blaziken. Blaziken readjusted and sent another Fire Spin at Sceptile but the grass dodged it again and moved in for the hit.

"Sky Uppercut!" May called out at the last second.

Blaziken pulled one arm back and his fist glowed white, as Sceptile came at him with one arm lowered ready to swing upwards both Pokémon threw their arms forward in twin uppercuts. Sceptile's leaf blade struck Blaziken's chin a mere millisecond before Blaziken's fist hit Sceptile's. Both Pokémon seemed to hold their ground against the force of each other's moves when they suddenly both flew backwards to either side of the field, a loud crack sound emanated from the point of impact showing just how hard each of their moves had been.

Sceptile and Blaziken each rolled on the ground till they stopped in front of their trainers each one with a slight bruise on their chins. Despite knowing how powerful Sceptile was especially in his mega form May still couldn't believe that a grass type move could inflict such massive damage on Blaziken, even if Ash took it easy on her she was in for a tough fight.

"Your quick on your feet May but let's see how you handle this, Sceptile use Leaf Storm." Ash called out Sceptile's powerful move.

The buds on Sceptile's back and the leafs on his tail began to glow, with a shout and a big swing of his tail Sceptile created a massive billowing tornado of bright spiralling leafs that raced forwards. There was no way to dodge this attack May would have to take it head on, but fortunately she had just the right tool to do just that.

"Blaziken use your Counter Shield." May commanded.

"Did she say counter Shield?" Ash questioned thinking he hadn't heard right.

As the vortex of wind and leaves advanced on Blaziken the fire type dropped on his back and started spinning in a breakdancing motion and starting spiralling lines of flames from his feet. The flames were sent upwards creating his own partial tornado of fire that rotated with Blaziken as he spun on the ground. The Leaf Storm hit against Blaziken's Counter Shield and though it was a lot larger the grass type attack was unable to penetrate the fire type move. As the two forces pushed against each other the Leaf Storm was suddenly split in two sending the remaining wind and leaves blasting into the trees off to the sides creating a massive blast of wind that shook the entire area.

Blaziken ceased his spinning and leapt back up to his feet, just in time for Sceptile to leap out from behind Blaziken and bring his large tail down on Blaziken with a thunderous smash, sinking Blaziken into the ground.

"I'm impressed that you were able to copy my Counter Shield so well May, but don't think that I'd let that distract me enough to plan a few moves ahead." Ash reminded May having used a similar move on her in their last battle.

"I didn't, in fact I expected you to attack after I had dealt with Leaf Storm which is why Blaziken is holding onto Sceptile." May remarked.

Ash looked down and saw that Blaziken had one arm latched onto Sceptile's tail, which would have taken a lot of effort especially after getting hit so heavily.

"Now to finish my plan, Blaziken use Ice Punch!" May revealed.

"Sceptile move." Ash called out in realisation.

Tried to leap away but Blaziken's grip was too tight as the fire type pulled back one arm it glowed white and shards of ice formed along his talons. Blaziken thrust his arm straight into Sceptile's side making him cry out in pain as the ultra-effective move dealt a massive amount of damage and then sent him flying backwards before landing in a heap in front of Ash.

"You alright Sceptile?" Ash asked in surprise.

Sceptile groaned in both pain and annoyance but was quickly back to his feet. Pikachu hadn't heard Sceptile cry like that in years of coarse being both a grass and dragon type meant ice type moves were his ultimate weakness, did May know this? If so case did she plan on Ash Mega Evolving Sceptile? In which case she must have planned to have this match well before this morning. He was now so engrossed in the battle that he didn't even realise that more and more of Ash's Pokémon were gathering to watch, something neither trainer noticed either.

"I didn't know Blaziken could learn Ice Punch." Ash admitted quite surprised.

"It took a lot of practice but we got it down eventually." May admitted.

"You certainly are full of surprises today May but you're not the only one can learn super effective moves, Sceptile use Earthquake." Ash revealed Sceptile's final move.

Sceptile lifted up his tail and slammed it into the ground sending a shockwave through the earth lifting it up and making it look like a wave of dirt and rocks.

"Jump Blaziken." May called out.

Blaziken leapt high into the air in order to avoid the colossal mass of earth rolling towards him but as he drifted over the heap he suddenly saw Sceptile was already in the air above him.

"You only saw one form of Leaf Storm before May now Sceptile show them it's full power." Ash thrust his hand forward.

Sceptile aimed his tail directly at Blaziken and suddenly the large tree like section split from his tail and blasted forward, to May it looked like a spiralling green missile.

"Blaziken use Fire Spin." May instructed.

Blaziken fired his attack at the incoming projectile but the flames were reflected off of it and did nothing to slow it down. Sceptile's tail smashed into Blaziken's chest making him yell out in pain as he and the rocket were sent straight to the ground creating an explosion that sent burning leaves and earth in all directions.

"Blaziken are you alright?" May called out through the smoke. The launched section of Sceptile's tail flew backwards out of the dust cloud and headed back to the grass type revealing a prone Blaziken half buried on the dirt. Sceptile landed on the ground and swiftly thrust the remainder of his tail forward just in time for the rest of his tail to jet back into place. Sceptile flexed his tail again as if it had never detached while Blaziken rose back up to his feet, bruised but not broken.
"Come on Blaziken get in close and use Blaze Kick." May instructed.
Blaziken ran directly at Sceptile his feet building up heat as he ran.
"Dodge Sceptile and wait for an opening. Ash responded calmly.
Blaziken jumped up in front of Sceptile and released a barrage of flaming kicks each one moving so fast even Ash was having trouble following them. He counted at least eight kicks before Blaziken touched the ground again and continued to kick at Sceptile. The dual grass-dragon type was able to avoid the attacks but was unable to find an opening, Blaziken was moving much faster than before.
Suddenly Ash realised what was happening, Blaziken had gained the ability speed boost when it mega evolved. Now he knew why May hadn't said anything she planned to fight on till Blaziken was able to out speed Sceptile and then over power him.
'You've come so far May.' Ash thought to himself.
"Ok Sceptile fight back with Leaf Blade." Ash changed to attack.

Sceptile blocked both of Blaziken's feet with the blades on each arm but Blaziken kept on kicking. Sceptile retaliated by slashing at the fire type but each of them dodged, blocked and countered so effectively that neither could land a hit. The movement of their moves was becoming so fast it was almost a blur, every time their limbs would make contact it send out a bang like a clap of thunder. With their attacks hitting so constantly the sound resonated throughout the area like some violent unseeable storm. Each trainer's eyes were locked on the incredible stalemate, watching for a chance to tip the tide, to throw in the winning move and in the end they both called out the same command.

"Jump back." Ash and May called out in unison.

Simultaneously Sceptile and Blaziken slid back across the field sending a gust of air out from the centre leaving the battlefield dead silent. Ash and May locked eyes again recognising that both of them were in fact on even ground.

'I should have known better than to underestimate you May, but then again perhaps you knew I would and you took advantage of that very clever. Either way I'm not losing this battle.' Ash thought to himself.

'Even now you amaze me with your strength Ash I knew I had to go all out from the start, if I can keep this up I know I won't lose this battle.' May thought to herself.

"Sceptile use Earthquake." Ash begun.

Sceptile hammered his tail into the ground raising it up and again and sending it rolling straight at Blaziken.

"Ice Punch into the ground." May instructed.

As the immense wall of dirt rolled towards Blaziken the fire type punched the ground creating a large column of ice which grew to twice his height, as the Earthquake hit the bottom of the ice it shattered most of it but sent the top half of it flying towards Sceptile in a wide arch of sharp ice projectiles.

"Block with Dragon Claw." Ash responded to the new threat.

Sceptile lifted up his arms and formed the sinister looking claws in front of his body, as the ice hit against Sceptile's attack then bounced off or shattered on impact. The Earthquake attack had died down and Blaziken had already jumped into the air to dodge it hoping to attack Sceptile while he was getting struck by the ice.

"Blaziken use Fire Spin." May called.

As he began to descend Blaziken released the spiralling fire attack from his mouth but the flames weren't fast enough to hit Sceptile before the grass type easily rolled to the side avoiding the ice and fire attacks.

"Still not fast enough, Blaziken use Ice Punch." May continued as Blaziken landed.

"Attack with Dragon Claw." Ash responded.

Blaziken ran at Sceptile was hands leaving behind a trail of mist while Sceptile dashed forward to intercept him, claws raised in front of his body. As the two neared each other Blaziken jabbed one arm forward at Sceptile's head but the forest lizard avoided the move with a tilt of his head. As Sceptile brought his powered up arm around in a wide swing Blaziken tried to bring his opposite arm up into Sceptile's ribs but was too late as Sceptile's Dragon Claw slashed across Blaziken's body and hammering him into the ground with a giant smash, cracking the field open in three giant gaps.

Ash was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Sceptile gritting his teeth, Ash looked down and saw a few pieces of ice in the corner of Sceptile's chest. Blaziken might not have hit Sceptile very hard but there was contact and that was all he needed.

"Blaziken use Blaze Kick." May called out.

His upper body was under Sceptile's Dragon Claw but Blaziken's legs were still free and he used them to strike two burning kicks into Sceptile's side forcing the grass type off of him.

"Now use Ice Punch." May tried her attack again.

Blaziken got back up to his feet and started throwing punches at Sceptile who furiously back peddled to avoid the super effective attacks. Blaziken was to close Ash had to get Sceptile away from danger as soon as possible but his next move would be risky at best.

"Sceptile Leaf Storm now." Ash called out. Sceptile pulled his body back and positioned his tail off to his side aimed right at Blaziken whose eyes widened upon realising that Sceptile sort to fight off his attack at point blank. As the sparks lit up on Sceptile's tail Blaziken threw his head back and dropped to his knees almost laying his back flat on the ground. Sceptile's tail blasted forward seeming to almost rip the very air in its path flying over Blaziken and accelerating into the sky.

"Fall back Sceptile." Ash directed calmly.

Sceptile jumped back in front of Ash and raised his tail up in time for the rest of it to descend and reconnect. Blaziken rose to his feet still slightly shocked after avoiding such a powerful attack from head on. Ash once again looked over to May she had placed one hand over her chest most likely because of the shock of almost seeing Blaziken take a rocket propelled tail to the chest. She took a deep breath to calm her heartbeat and looked back over to Ash.

"Having fun May?" Ash asked.

"You kidding this is the most fun I've had in ages." May smiled.

"Same for me, I've got to say you've really come a long way since I met you the first time I arrived in Hoenn." Ash grinned.

"As have you, this world's a crazy one isn't it." May replied.

"Indeed so come on then, you have the next move." Ash offered.

"You might live to regret that, Blaziken use Fire Spin." May restarted the battle.

"Jump Sceptile." Ash called out getting Sceptile to leap high above the incoming flames.

"Jump after him Blaziken." May instructed.

Blaziken leapt up after Sceptile and as he met the grass type in mid-air threw a kick forward that Sceptile blocked with his arm. From there the two of them unleashed a barrage of combos with their arms, legs, knees and elbows as they began to fall back to the ground. Ash hadn't seen Sceptile fight so furiously in a long time, he and Blaziken both wanted to win with every fibre of their being reflecting exactly how their trainers felt. Neither knew it but both Ash and May were waiting for their Pokémon to land back on the ground so they could deliver a powerful blow. The second their feet touched the grass both of them shouted out.

"Sceptile thrust forward with your tail." Ash instructed

"Blaziken kick forward with everything you've got." May yelled.

Sceptile twisted his tail and thrust the large pointed end at Blaziken who lifted his foot up and delivered a straight kick at Sceptile. Tail and foot both connected with the others midsections and in the blink of an eye Sceptile and Blaziken shot backwards like they had been fired out of a cannon. They flew past their trainers and crashed into the trees breaking branches and twig before their backs slammed against separate trees and finally fell to the ground.

"Sceptile!" Ash exclaimed.

"Blaziken!" May called out in shock.

Ash and May stood by their Pokémon as they struggled to stand up after the force of their last clash. Blaziken had taken a lot of damage throughout the fight and was now very fatigued while Sceptile had only taken serious damage from the Ice punches, but they were enough to bring even him to his knees.

"Come on Sceptile you can push through this." Ash encouraged his partner.

"Come on Blaziken this is our moment to show them what were made of." May tried to get Blaziken back in the game.

The two Mega evolved Hoenn starters struggled to get back on their feet but it was obvious that neither one of them had much strength left, Ash and May both anxiously watched as their Pokémon pushed themselves to get back in the fight.

Suddenly a green energy began to escape from Sceptile's body, Ash watched as his Pokémon's breathing slowed, his injuries faded and his pupils dilated. As he looked over to where Blaziken was Ash saw the fire type was undergoing a similar faze expect the energy that escaped his body was red. He and May knew what was happening, having been pushed this far into the battle both Pokémon's special ability had been activated. Overgrow and Blaze took effect over their bodies boosting their senses and powering up their attacks, the energy emitting from their body was so strong that it warming the air around them. Ash had never seen such an effect, both of them looked like they had a fire burning all over their bodies, their mega forms had boosted their power so much and now with their abilities active he could feel the power emanating from their bodies. Ash looked over to May once again the fire in her eyes burning just as bright as his matched only by Sceptile and Blaziken's.

"Alright May, let's finish this." Ash proclaimed.

"Give us everything you've got Ash." May fired back.
"Sceptile use Leaf Blade full power!" Ash shouted.

"Blaziken use Blaze Kick and hold nothing back!" May cried out.

Sceptile extended the blades on his right arm but this time they were double the size, with green energy rippling off of it. Blaziken's entire lower leg became engulfed in blue flames while the flames on his forearms extended and shone blue as well. Together Sceptile and Blaziken began to move towards each other, at first it was a swift walk then a jog until then began to build up to their full speed. Sceptile left behind a streak of green in the air while Blaziken left fiery footprints in his wake. They were moving so fast they ripped up the ground under their feet and as they neared each other they both pulled back their attacks ready for the final clash.

Sceptile brought back his arm and Blaziken leapt straight forward with one leg out in front. Leaf Blade and Blaze Kick collided and created an enormous explosion that completely covered the two Pokémon and sent a wave of heat and wind in all directions.

Ash gripped his hat and stared at the blast in amazement, an explosion of this size coming from two physical attacks colliding was something he had never seen before. The forces behind Mega Evolution were still as incredible as ever. Ash and May didn't dare turn away from the battlefield eagerly waiting for the smoke to clear and the result of such a powerful clash. As the last of the dust settled two figures stood in the centre of the field, refusing to fall down. Their special abilities still lit up their bodies reflecting their battle hardened will to fight even though their bodies were riddled with wounds from the previous blast, they simply stared each other down waiting for the next command.

Ash simply smiled, it was slight but it was not one of joy or smugness, it was one of content. He had gotten exactly what he had wanted.

"Alright that's enough." Ash declared raising his hands making May, Sceptile and Blaziken look at him in shock.

"I think that's enough for today, this match is a tie." Ash announced.

"A tie? But I thought we were finally going to see who would have won in a fair battle." May replied in confusion.

"That's how it started yes, but in truth I wasn't battling at my full potential from the start. I underestimated you which is unbecoming of an Elite Four member. But you made me fight with everything I had and that to me means more than winning or losing. Besides if either one of us won the other wouldn't let the other forget about it now would we." Ash joked.

"You were really fighting with everything you had?" May asked.

"After Blaziken threw that first Ice Punch I reckon I did." Ash admitted.

"I didn't think I'd be able to push you that far." May admitted sounding more upbeat making Ash smile even brighter.

Ash knew why May had fought so much better today than when she was still with New Magma. They were both fighting with anger but Ash was able to use his aggression while May had become overwhelmed by it. May also had a wounded shoulder and was most likely unable to concentrate fully. Finally he believed May was conflicted, that she didn't know who she wanted to fight for and in the end she had fought alongside Ash. He pushed those memories aside, they were here now and that was all that mattered.

"What about you Sceptile, Blaziken do you agree with what I said?" Ash asked.

Sceptile and Blaziken both nodded humbly, they then turned back to each other and bumped fists. With this exchange they changed back into their original forms, the battle was over.

May and Ash both returned the two fighters to their Pokeballs so they could rest, when they turned to head back to the house they saw that all their Pokémon had gathered without them knowing and were now franticly chatting amongst themselves about the battle that just took place.

"You know we're going to have to tell them about us at some point." Ash whispered to May.

"I know I'm just not sure if we should tell them all at once or all together." May whispered back.

"Hmm that gives me an idea." Ash though out loud.

"Hey everyone guess what!" Ash called out getting all the Pokémon's attention.

Before May could react Ash placed one arm on her back and the other on her hips before twisting her to face him and planting a firm kiss on her lips. May squeaked in surprise at Ash's sudden lip attack but she wrapped her arm around his shoulder and pulled him in closer, feeling that there was no taking it back now. Ash pulled away from the kiss with May still in his arms and grinned at their audience.

"That's right we're a couple now." Ash declared proudly.

Half of the Pokémon stood there with wide eyes and the other half stood there with mouths nearly hitting the floor. Ash chuckled at their shocked expressions while May shook her head in embarrassment. Pikachu sighed lightly thinking how Ash's actions where in a way so normal he then put his fingers to his lips and whistled at the couple.

"Thanks buddy." Ash responded.

Now getting over their initial shock some of the Pokémon began to cheer while the others simply nodded as a form of congratulations. May felt ever more embarrassed now but in a good way and rested her head on Ash's shoulder as he held her closer.

"You want to go back and finish breakfast?" Ash asked.

"Sure do an early morning battle works up quite and apatite." May smiled back.

"Indeed, let's go." Ash promptly said as he and May walked back to the house.

Six months later May had moved in with Ash and had begun to get back into Pokémon Contests, revitalising her childhood passion. Ash had been promoted from a backup to a full time member of the Elite Four and begun to train even harder to one day become a Champion. Following May's passion the two of them started donating and supporting different funds that helped threatened Pokémon in the wild but were much more cautious about who to donate to.

The young couple were usually quite busy and so savoured every moment they could with each other and despite their rocky past remained together. On this particular afternoon the two of them where sitting together quietly watching the sunset.

"May are you, happy still?" Ash asked.

"Of course I am, these last few months have been some of the best of my life." May replied as she snuggled into his shoulder.

"I know I just thought I'd ask because it's been the same for me." Ash told May as he pulled her in closer.

"Um Ash, have you truly forgiven me? For what I did back in Hoenn I mean?" May asked slightly nervous.

"There are times when I think back to that day and wonder how it got to that point yes." Ash admitted.

"But when I look at you know, I don't see the person who had turned on me. Nor do I see the girl I travelled with all those years ago. Every time I look at you I see the young woman who truly wants to change herself for the better. I see a person that loves life and someone that I want to spend as much time as possible with, and that's the person that I fell in love with." Ash said without hesitation.

May lent up and kissed Ash lightly on the lips and then gently lent her forehead against his before lying back against his arm.

"I love you too, with everything I have." May whispered softly as they laid there quietly as the sun finally disappeared below the horizon.

They had been through both bright and dark times together as children and as adults, but in the end it had only made them stronger. Ash and May were happy together and they both truly loved each other. They knew from experience that life would throw many hurdles their way but they knew that together they could face them.

As the Journey Continues…

The End

And with that this story comes to a close… Thank you so much to everyone for reading, following and enjoying my story, it's hard to believe that it's been nearly a year since I started writing this one. It was a blast to write from start to finish and I hope you all got as much out if it as I did. Now I have no real plans for a sequel right now I feel that this story is complete and doesn't need any additional work that might tamper with it. So what's in store for me? I'm going to finish 'Becoming a Pokémon Master' first and then try to add to the 'Oak Ranch' story once and a while. After that I might take a break from writing as I've got a few important career choices that I have to concentrate on for my long term future. Finally I love this site, and the people on it are awesome I'm glad I could contribute in my own way. Thank you all and goodnight.