AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the final chapter. Honestly. I hope you enjoy it.

PREVIOUSLY: Ash returns after 3 years to reclaim Professor Samuel Oak from Dragon Master Drayden. Ash challenges Drayden to compete against him in the Whirl Cup for Oak's affections. After mending burnt bridges with Misty and Brock, and closing his sexual relationship with Roark, Ash comes face to face with Drayden.

Ash and Drayden battle it out, and Drayden emerges the victor…

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

(Final Chapter – The End)

The crowd went wild. Drayden raised his arms and just smiled. He didn't jump up and down, and make noise; he just raised his arms and smiled. If I hadn't made him break a sweat, if this was an easy win for him, he probably won't have done anything at all, just stood there and took all the praise and glory.

I, on the other hand, was doing nothing. I just stood there, feelings numb and empty. I had nothing left. I have lost my pride and honor as a trainer. What's worse? I lost Oak.

I turned around and limped away.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

Norman stood up and pushed his way through the crowd. He'd seen the look on Ash's face. He was all too familiar with that look. It's the same look he had when his wife left him. He pushed and shoved his way, rushing to the waiting room for the participating trainers.

Misty, Brock, May, and Gary all looked devastated. When Norman looked for Oak he saw the professor had already left.

He rushed out of the stadium. Ash was walking down the street, stumbling, like a drunken bum. Pikachu followed silently behind.

"Ash!" Norman called, but Ash didn't reply.

He looked older than he was, he looked tired, and he looked utterly defeated, like everything no longer had a purpose. Norman knew this look a little too well. It was too close to the look he had when his wife left him. It was a good thing the kids were gone – he didn't want them to see him like that. Utterly defeated.

"C'mon, Ash, it isn't the end of the world," Norman said, catching up to the trainer. He grabbed Ash's shoulder. "There's other fish in the sea."

"It's not the end of the world," Ash said gently. "It's just the end of my world. And no, I don't want any other fish… I just wanted him." He looked up at Norman.

With a gasp Norman pulled his hand away. The look in Ash's eyes shocked him. No, he didn't care for his wife. He was depressed when she left him, but not totally destroyed. Not like Ash was right now.

"I understand," Norman said. "Then I'm going with you."

"No," Ash said. "Leave me alone."

"I'm going –"

"Leave," Ash moaned.

Norman could hear the camera crew in the distance, looking for Ash to complete their story. Norman knew Ash wouldn't be able to handle it. He grabbed Ash's arm and pulled him along.

"C'mon, the press is on their way," Norman said. "After the big fuss you made they'll be all over this. Headline…" Ash didn't even speed up his walk. "…news…"

"I lost," Ash said, as if he were realizing it for the first time. "I… lost. I lost him."

Shit, now was not the time for a break down. Norman couldn't let Ash fall apart in front of the cameras. He grabbed Ash, picking him up into his arms. Luckily the years hadn't changed Ash's body too much – he was still light and small. Carrying him was easy.

Norman started running.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

He should have been celebrating, Drayden thought. There was no change in Oak since he'd won. He was so excited – at first. But the one person that should have been celebrating wasn't. He caught a glimpse of Ash's gang, and they were all watching the exit that Ash ran into, like he was going to come back.

Drayden would admit it wasn't an easy battle – and he did, for every press conference. And he told everyone of the wedding plans, and how very happy he was to be with the man he loved so dearly – Professor Samuel Oak.

Oak was just as dead during those conferences as he was now. He started out the hotel window, watching the city below.

And Drayden couldn't bear it any longer.

"You don't love me," Drayden said.

Oak looked up from the window.

"You went over there when we got here, and stood by the window. You've barely said a word to me. I thought maybe you'd be happy with me, that I won, that I fought for you, but you're still the same."

Oak looked at the ground, no change in his emotions.

"I guess I just didn't want to admit it, but you've been just as destroyed as Ash this entire time," Drayden said. "Both of you. And everyone around you guys, everyone who cares, is suffering as well. I didn't want to accept it, but there's no other explanation, is there?"

Oak looked up at him.

"You love him, don't you?" Drayden wasn't one to cry. His voice shook, but he didn't cry. "You love Ash so much… and all this time apart has just forced you deeper and deeper into this shell…"

Oak blinked.

"Do you even understand what I'm saying?"

There was no reply.

"DO YOU?" Drayden screamed, slamming the table.

Oak didn't jump. He blinked once and then sighed.

"I don't know what I want anymore…" he said gently.

"I do," Drayden said. He went over to Oak and grabbed the man by his arm. "We're going to find Ash."

"For what?" Oak asked.

"Closure," Drayden said. "I've won. You two need to end these feelings between you. I won't lose you, Sammy."

"I…" Oak began, but then went silent.

Drayden pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket and called the number he'd entered into his phone but never dialed before.

"It's because of Ash," Drayden remembered himself saying, "Things will be better once Ash is out of the picture."

"Ash is Oak's picture," had been Norman's response, "When you realize that… you'll be better off."

Norman answered on the second ring. "This is Norman. How are you tonight, Dragon Master?"

"I know you took Ash," Drayden said.

"I don't kidnap him, if that's what you're implying," Norman laughed.

"We need to see him," Drayden said.

"We as in you and the professor?"

"Yes," Drayden said.

Drayden could imagine Norman smirking. "Of course."

As Norman told Drayden the address Drayden glanced back at Oak. No emotion, no nothing. It was like Oak was a doll. How the hell did it get to be this bad? Why didn't Drayden realize sooner?

Because he didn't want to accept the fact that Oak and Ash were meant to be together. Even now… he didn't want to accept it.

"On my way," Drayden said when Norman was finished giving directions, and he hung up the phone.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

Norman sat beside Ash on the old couch. It was an older motel on the outskirts of town. He had to pay extra to keep the crew from ratting their location out to the paparazzi. Norman hoped the paparazzi didn't offer a better deal.

Ash was curled up on the other side of the couch, still looking worn out and defeated, Pikachu lying by Ash's feet. Norman hated waiting, because the longer he was with Ash the more upset he got. He didn't like seeing Ash like this, but he wasn't the one that could fix this mess.

His phone rang, a text message from May, asking where they were. Norman bit his bottom lip. Should he say?

The knock at the door helped him decide.

"Who is that?" Ash asked.

"Remember when I stepped outside to take my call?" Norman asked. He didn't look up at Ash, but was texting the address and room number to May. Ash nodded and although Norman didn't see he continued, "well, this is why."

He sent the text and got up to answer the door. He pulled it opened and Drayden stepped into the room, followed by Oak.

Oak's eyes widened. Ash jolted to his feet, regaining his youthful speed. If they weren't on the third story would Ash have dove out the window? He glanced at it more than once.

"He's not here to torture you, Ash," Norman said. "He's here to speak with you."

"Sammy," Drayden said softly, patting Oak on the back, "I've been holding you back long enough. It's time for you to decide who you want for yourself. Please, decide."

Oak looked at him.

"I said closure because I don't want to accept the truth that's been stabbing me in the heart," Drayden said. He looked at Ash. "I don't want to lose you, but…"

"Make your choice," Norman said. He grabbed Ash's shoulder. "You two have been running from each other for too long."

Ash and Oak looked at one and other, their eyes meeting, and the distance between them becoming further than it should have been. It was so far neither could move. Norman and Drayden didn't move either, and didn't say a word.

"Oak…" Ash said gently.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

"Ok, I know where they are," May said, looking up from her cell phone.

"Good," Misty and Brock jumped up. They'd been waiting outside of the arena. They'd been searching the city for him, and it hadn't dawned on May to see if Ash was with her father who was also missing. They met back up at the arena before May got the reply text message.

"Let's go then."

"No," May said.

"No?" Misty and Brock asked together. "Why not?" Misty finished.

"Dad say they needed some time," May said.

"Why?" asked Gary.

"He said they were fixing things," May said.

"Fixing things?"

Brock understood. "Between Ash and Oak."

Misty felt a stab of jealousy. She tucked it away. She was over him now. Now they were just friends. This was the final time she'd feel anything other than the friendship love she had for Ash.

Reaching out she wrapped her fingers around Brock's hand. He looked at her with his eyebrows upraised.

"We can wait," she said, and smiled.

Brock couldn't help but smile back.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

Speaking his name was hard. Looking at him was hard. Being in the same room as him was hard. But the hardest part for me was not touching him. Oak had a choice to make, me or Drayden, and he was caught between the two of us. I didn't know what to do.

I still had so much love for him I couldn't just stand here, but I also time and time again tried to let go of him, because maybe, just maybe, we loved each other too much.

Looking into his eyes I knew that if I gave in now I'd never be able to come back from it.

He took a step forward and I did as well. He hesitated, and I did too. He took a step – so did I. Our bodies moved in sync, our minds thought the same, our heartbeats moved to the same beat. It was almost magical, this moment. Every step told me it was going to be okay.

Each step brought us closer together.

We stood inches apart, no longer able to move without touching each other. I didn't reach out, neither did he. We were stuck again, in the middle ground. I wanted only one thing. I wanted his love, in return for all the love I had for him.

"I know… you still love me," I whispered, "the same way I still love you."

He looked at me, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. So close, but we were the further we could have possibly been. I felt all the damage the years apart have done to us. It was like giant holes punched into our very being.

He reached out slowly, closing the miles of distance between us. In the far distance I heard a gasp, but it was thrown to the back of my mind. Nothing existed but Oak right now.

He paused, right over my cheek. I closed my eyes, a shuddering breath of sheer anticipation coming out of my mouth.

His fingers touched the side of my face and I remembered that touch. That touch that I woke up every day for. I moaned softly. I couldn't help it. That one touch was orgasmic in a way. I'd been waiting for so long, and finally…

A kiss, I thought, opening my eyes. He blinked and the tears went down his cheeks.

I put both my hands on his chest and leaned forward, slowly, very slowly. I could feel his heart pounding underneath my hands. I lost the battle, but I hadn't lost his affections. He never stopped loving me, it's been there this entire time.

Closer and closer, I felt his breath on my lips, caressing my skin like a warm touch.

He leaned in, ending the distance between us.

Our lips collided, and it felt like our hearts did too. I leaned into him, his strong arms wrapping around my body, his familiar touch to my unfamiliar, more grown-up body. This is what I needed. This is what would remove the weight on my heart.

I moved back from the kiss and a sob broke out. "Damn it, I missed you."

"I won't ever leave you again," Oak said. His voice wasn't shaky like mine. With my eyes closed I couldn't tell he was crying too. "I won't ever make that mistake again."

He pulled me into the warm embrace of his arms, and I could stay there forever. Finally! Finally!

"I love you," I cried.

"I love you too," Samuel said, and in the distance the door closed.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

Drayden sighed deeply as he shut the door. He'd never seen that look in Oak's eyes in the years they've been together. And when he gasped – that must have been the worst part. It was a loud gasp, but neither man knew he existed. Norman had noticed him, and gave him a sympathetic smile when he saw the pain in Drayden's eyes.

"I'm sorry," Norman said softly. He reached out and touched Drayden's back.

Drayden moved away from him like Norman's hand was on fire. "Don't touch me," he snapped. He was feeling so many emotions, and really had no one else to direct them towards. "It's your entire fault." No one except Norman. "You told me… that Ash was Oak's picture, and that when I realized that I'd be better off… well I'm not, you stupid bastard."

"Drayden," Norman said.

"You were right!" Drayden growled. He grabbed Norman by the front of the shirt and pushed the man against the wall. "You were fucking right! Oak doesn't love me at all! He never really did – not like he loved Ash! And I couldn't see that! I couldn't understand it! I wouldn't!"

"And now look," Drayden said, gesturing wildly towards the door. "They're off in their own universe, and I'm left out, all alone. It fucking sucks, Norman. I didn't want to feel this way."

"I know," Norman said.

"No you don't! You've never lost anyone!"

"But I have," Norman said gently. "I lost my wife, and I understand the pain of it."

"You were…"

"Divorced. The story was that it was me who ended it, because I wasn't feeling the romance anymore. The truth is I demanded it, after finding her in bed with my best friend."

Drayden looked bewildered.

"I know what it's like to lose someone you love, Drayden," Norman said, putting his hands over Drayden's. "I was angry and hateful too, at first. But then I moved on for it. Because there's no use in dwelling on it."

"But you still love her," Drayden said.

Norman nodded heavily.

Drayden shook his head. "I want to hate him, because I love him so damn much."

"Hate him for a while, if that makes you feel better," Norman said. "But don't dwell on it."

Drayden sighed deeply. He let go of Norman and moved back. "That's why you took care of Ash… after he lost to me."

Norman nodded. "I felt his pain… just like I can feel yours." Norman put a finger on Drayden's large chest. "I could see the end coming… I just wanted to be here to pick up the pieces."

Drayden blinked. "Pieces?"

"Your pieces," Norman said. "I didn't want you to fall apart on your own."

"Well, thanks, for being there since the beginning," Drayden said. "But I think I'd rather held it alone."

"It's easier with someone else, trust me," Norman said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'm gonna text the kids."

"And tell them what?" Drayden asked.

"Not to wait up," Norman said. "Ash and Oak are going to be a while… and you and I should leave."

Drayden just felt numb.

Norman took his hand and smiled at him. "Don't worry, I'll help you, Drayden. You don't have to go through this alone."

Drayden felt anything but comforted, but he went with Norman anyway. He glanced at the closed door and wished that it had worked out behind him and Oak. He still loved the professor. Only a lot of time could heal these tender wounds.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

"Gary and May will be married in a few months, Misty's actually pregnant with Brock's child this time around, and Norman and Drayden are celebrating their four month anniversary," Oak said.

Ash glanced over at him. "Really? Four months? It only took him a month to get over you?"

"I got over him in 30 seconds," Oak said with a shrug. Ash smiled and reached out, Oak's fingers intertwining with his. Oak put his cell phone aside and sighed. "I do wish I was better to him – he was a great guy – but I don't handle grief very well."

"Never do I," Ash said.

"I become a vegetable."

"I become a jerk."

Oak laughed. "And impulsive jerk. You gave up your Pokémon because of the deal you made with Drayden."

"Yeah, but I was going to do that anyway," Ash said. "I'm no longer in it to catch them all – I caught the only one I need." Ash lifted Oak's hand and gently kissed the man's knuckles. "Besides, Pikachu's still with me, right buddy?"

"Pika, pika!" Pikachu said from the front of the boat.

Ash sat up on the lawn chair and lifted his sunglasses. "Researching Pokémon with you is more fun than I ever thought it would be, anyway. I still get to travel and meet new Pokémon, and I'm with you the entire time."

Oak smiled and started to say something when the door behind them opened.

"45 minutes till we reach the islands, sir."

"Good, thanks," Oak said. The door shut. Oak looked at Ash again. "You look great in that swimsuit."

Ash chuckled. "So do you."

They exchanged a long look. The smile faded from Ash's face, and he felt like squirming underneath Oak's gaze. He knew what the professor was getting at. He just didn't want to talk about it.

"The last time we had sex…" Oak began.

Ash cringed, breaking the hand hold with Oak. "I fucked you. Then we broke up," Ash said, putting his sunglasses back on.

"We're not breaking up this time," Oak said.

"I know, it's just…" Ash sighed.

"I know the last time we had sex has some really bad memories tacked on, but we can make new memories." Oak grabbed Ash's hand and pulled the man over. Ash's face was flushed as he straddled Oak's waist, feeling his hardened penis underneath his swimsuit.

The memories of their fight blazed through Ash's head, as it did the last few times since they've got back together and tried having sex. Oak's hand caressed the side of Ash's face, making his eyes open.

"I remember losing you," Oak said. "But I want to feel the closeness with you again. I want to feel inside you, Ash."

Ash nodded. He turned his face and kissed Oak's hand. It was chaste at first, but Ash made it grow in intensity. He spread his lips and his tongue came out, licking the center of Oak's palm.

Oak pushed his pointer finger into Ash's mouth, and Ash closed his eyes, sucking on it, imagining other things, or trying to. Oak added another finger and loved the sound of Ash's moans. He reached down with his free hand to stroke the bulge in front of Ash's swimsuit.

Ash pulled back. "Please, Samuel –"

Oak grabbed his face and pulled him down into a kiss. He opened Ash's lips with his own and sent his tongue in, moving it against Ash's, feeling Ash's fingers grip his bare chest. He broke the kiss and licked underneath Ash's lip, making him tremble.

"Tell me to stop," Oak said.

Ash gulped. He wanted to say it, he really did, because once they start Ash knew he'd been bombarded with unpleasant memories. But it felt so good. His cock throbbed with the need to be touched by Oak.

"Don't stop," Ash said.

Oak pulled Ash down for some more kissing. He pushed his tongue into Ash's mouth and explored like he'd never kissed Ash before – Ash moaned at the sensations. Oak unlaced the front of Ash's swimsuit and let his erection out. Oak smiled against Ash's lips. It was a bit bigger now.

Oak's finger stroked Ash's penis slowly and gently, as he kissed Ash. With a gasp Ash broke lip contact. "Stop, I'll cum," he said, and Oak let go of his penis.

"Rusty, are we?" Oak smiled.

Ash laughed, wrapped his arms around Oak's neck. "I'm so attracted to you it's hard not to cum the second you touch me."

"The feeling's mutual," Oak said, his hand slipping down the back of Ash's swimsuit. He cupped Ash's ass, squeezing it, teasing it. He moved down lower, finding Ash's entrance. "I'm head over heels for you, Ash."

His finger slowly slid into Ash. With a groan Ash felt a second finger sliding inside him. Visions of their past went through Ash's head – from the tender beginning to the bitter end, and the ecstasy in between. Oak slowly pulled both fingers out to the tips, and then thrust back in.

Ash couldn't wait anymore. He was back in the hospital room, pushing himself in and out of Oak, for the first time. He hoped he never came, because after he did…

"Fuck me," Ash cried. "Please, fuck me."

Oak paused, seeing the bare need in Ash's eyes. He nodded and pulled his fingers out. He loosened his swimsuit and pushed it down to his knees. Ash kicked his suit completely off and straddled Oak once again, but kept his ass in the air. Oak used both hands to steady his penis. Ash slowly sat down, feeling himself being filled inch by inch.

He sat fully on Oak's penis, feeling full and complete. With a groan he started bouncing up and down on Oak's penis, flesh slapping flesh frantically. Ash missed this so much. He missed Roark, but nothing was better than Oak – nothing.

Oak reached back, grabbing Ash's butt cheeks and squeezing them tightly, enough to leave marks. He helped Ash go up and down on his penis. He missed this just as much as Ash did. It felt so good, and normally he could go for so much longer, but the orgasm built up and he felt himself release inside Ash.

"Oh God, that was good…" Oak groaned.

Ash felt complete, but empty. He hadn't cum, and the memories of the break up were still there. He didn't expect a magical solution, but he hoped having sex would fix things.

"What's wrong?" Oak asked.

"I…" Ash shook his head. "I don't feel different."

Oak shrugged. "Well, you didn't cum. Want me too…?"

"No," Ash said, standing up. Oak's penis was covered in his own semen. "No, I…" Ash bent down. He grabbed Oak's thighs and lifted him. Oak cried out as he was pulled from the chair.

Ash buried his face in Oak's rear end, finding that puckered flesh and licking at it. His pushed his tongue in and Oak moaned deeply. There it was, this was right. He pushed his tongue in, lapping at the hole like it was a lollypop.

Ash let go, and lowered Oak's midsection to his penis. Oak's upper body was on the chair, his lower body up in the air. Ash found the entrance, guiding his penis with his hand.

"Wait, Ash, I'm not ready," Oak said.

Ash looked down at him. "I'll be slow."

Oak nodded.

Ash pushed in, slowly, Oak wincing as Ash pushed his thickened penis into his unprepared hole. He tried to relax but this was unfamiliar and painful. He closed his eyes and put his trust into Ash.

Ash pushed completely into Oak and pulled out slowly, thrusting a little faster. Oak was still tight, but it felt so good. He increased the speed little by little, Oak making small noises the entire time. Ash felt their relationship crumbing with each thrust.

Oak cried out when Ash thrust into him too fast, and whimpered as Ash pulled out.

Ash thrust in again with a cry.

"Ash," Oak breathed.

"Don't leave me," Ash cried. Oak looked at Ash. Tears streamed down Ash's face, splashing down his face onto Oak's stomach and chest. "Please don't leave me."

Oak smiled tenderly. He reached up, cupping Ash's face and pulling him down. He kissed him gentle. Oak poured his feelings into the kiss. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but it held more love than any kiss Oak had ever given. He broke the kiss.

"I'll never leave you again, Ash," Oak said, looking into Ash's eyes. "I'll never make that mistake again, as long as I live. I promise you with all my heart, I'll never do that again."

Relief washed through Ash like a wave. He nodded, blinking back tears. Oak lied back down, but reached back to grab Ash's ass. He helped Ash thrust in, crying out, moaning and groaning with each powerful thrust. Pleasure laced the pain, and overcame it.

"I love you," Oak cried.

Ash came the instant, filling Oak up. He cried out as it went out of him, and Oak cried out with the final, most powerful thrust. Ash breathed out, pulling his penis out of Oak's anus. Oak lied down, breathing in deeply. He pushed himself up on the chair and motioned Ash to lie down too.

Ash stretched out on Oak's body, glad that he was still a bit smaller than his lover. He kissed Oak's bare chest and Oak chuckled, his body rumbling and making Ash's body rumble too.

Oak kissed the top of Ash's head.

"I'll always love you," Oak said.

And he did.

(-P-O-K-E-M-O-N-)

How to be a Pokémon Master

(THE END)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Whaa, it's over! I hope you liked it. I sure enjoyed every moment of it. Please forgive me for the mistakes throughout the series. THANK YOU for staying with me, from beginning to end. Thank you for reading my series.

Until next time, good bye. :-)