When hearing Journeys would be Ash Ketchum's last ride I decided to write this story. A bit of romantic fluff exploring the thoughts and feelings of the main travelling companions of Ash Ketchum, when the boy finally settles down.

Takes place after Ash has beaten Leon - Ash and co have all aged in this story, calculating Ash at age 19. I had this in mind before Aim to be a Pokémon Master came out. So it ignores those events here.

This story is Pokéshipping and Contestshipping - sorry Advanceshippers!

Despite the two sharing some cute moments, I've always seen Ash and May as platonic. Like a older brother/little sister mentor vibe, with Drew being the one for May's heart.

It runs cannon as backstory against my Electric Tales world. Parts will cross over with my main story but overall this is a very different vibe, much more character driven with little action.

Chapter 1 – May

"YOU'RE GETTING WHAT?!"

May Maple slammed her hands on the table and stared wide eyed at the video screen before her. On the other end of the call one of her oldest and dearest friends sweat dropped and held his hand behind his head, grinning.

"Errrm yep!"

May almost fell back in chair in disbelief.

Ash Ketchum was getting married.

*** Flashback 3 years ago ***

"Blaziken is unable to battle. The winner of the battle and this year's Grand Festival goes to Drew."

May drooped her head slightly and recalled her fallen pokémon. "Blaziken. You were outstanding. Take a good long rest now." She looked up to see Drew, expecting his usual confident cocky self to be showing off to the crowds but instead she saw the teenager stood dumbfounded staring back at her blankly.

As their eyes met across the stage, May smiled gently. Genuinely happy for her friend and rival, the negative feeling in her chest began fading away.

Drew released the breath he almost didn't realise he'd been holding. To see her warm blue eyes shimmer and her face smiling that smile at him, he knew she was OK. Drew couldn't help but smile back and give her a gentle nod of acknowledgement and appreciation. He turned to face the roaring crowds with his victorious Absol, bowing.

May closed her eyes and exited the stage giving Drew his well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

He was finally a Top Coordinator.

The infamous Grand Festival after party raged on into the night. May filled her face with all the foods to offer whilst socialising and schmoozing with all the coordinators on the circuit.

Harley was his usual self. Congratulating and gushing over her performance in an over-the-top manner peppered with thinly veiled digs. Even after all these years, May still couldn't get a full read on that guy. Solidad as always, knew exactly what to say to make everything right with the world, as Brianna fan girled over May and "Mr Drew's" final battle.

But there was one person missing. Drew.

May looked around for him before the realisation hit. In all the time she'd known him, Drew never stuck around for these things; he'd be off someplace already preparing his pokémon for the next stage. And she knew where!

Taking off from the party, May took her steps onto the vast sandy beach surrounding the contest arena. It was dark, but fortunately enough light cast from the party in the background to illuminate a mop of green hair a few hundred years down the shoreline, his Roserade by his side. May smiled and ran towards the boy.

"Drew!"

The green haired teenager turned on hearing his name and felt his heart give a thud of excitement and anticipation as he saw his old rival, friend … and dare he say … something more? May, approaching.

She caught up to him slightly breathless. "Drew. You're not at your own party?"

"Hum. I thought you'd know me better than that by now May, surly?" He flipped his hair and presented her with a rose which she took without question.

"Hey, I'm here, aren't I?" She chided back with a smile. "I just thought with you finally winning, maybe you'd relax a little and have some fun for once."

"Ah, but you see that's why I won." Drew bantered back without missing a beat, turning slightly to show off his vibrant looking grass pokémon. "Speaking of, how are you and your pokémon?"

"We're … OK."

Drew raised an eyebrow.

May held her hands up. "Honestly. I mean of course we're disappointed, but now the way I see it, we were so close! That last move went down to the wire. I know we're getting stronger." She clenched her hand into a fist. "It's only a matter of time before we join you as top coordinators you'll see!"

Drew closed his eyes, flipped his hair and smiled. "I'll make room." He recalled his pokémon giving May his full attention.

May grinned back.

"You're right though, you have gotten a lot stronger. That battle of ours today was close, it could have gone either way at the end. The gap between us has really closed."

"Thank you for saying that, Drew. But I could see in your performance you're still just that little bit more polished than us. But you've given me some great ideas to work on."

The two carried on conversation before finding themselves sitting down on the sand, discussing other coordinators, cool moves they'd seen and finally the next step in their journeys.

"So how does it feel to have won? To finally be a top coordinator?" May asked.

Drew looked at May and then back up at the sky. "Honestly. It hasn't quite sunk in, yet. It's a little surreal to work so hard for all these years and finally get what I wanted. But now it leaves me thinking what next?"

"I guess to be a champion in another region?"

"Maybe." Drew looked at May deeply. "Or maybe I should focus on a new goal …"

"A new goal?" May looked up at the night sky. "Oh! I've just realised I've kept you talking here all this time, you wanted to train and prepare for next season."

"That's OK. I did just win the Grand Festival after all, I guess I can take a little break." With that Drew lay back on the sand looking up at the full moon allowing his body to relax. May smiled and settled down next to him, resting her head on his outstretched arm. Drew found himself a little taken back by her forwardness but didn't react to May's warm gesture and reciprocated by bending his elbow and lowering his arm slightly making the position comfier for them both.

The two continued to talk, going into more depth regarding their plans, and dreams for the future.

May lay on her side, her large dark blue pooling eyes boring into Drews sharp brilliant green ones.

Drew absent mindedly stroking his fingers up and down her back as they spoke. May took note of the tingling sensation on her spine but feeling completely comfortable and at ease in Drew's presence welcomed the closeness.

The young teenager blushed. "Drew. I've been wondering something."

"Hm?"

"… Do you see me as just a rival? Or as a friend? Because I consider you a friend. A really good one, actually."

"May. … I do see you as my rival."

May felt her heart sink a little but Drew continued. "But then I see you as so much more than that. You're my closest rival, you've spurred me on to work harder than ever before."

"Drew you've always worked hard ever since I've known you."

"True, but you make me work even harder. That final between you and me today, it was because it was against you that spurred me and Absol on to give that performance today. Against someone else I don't think I'd have done it. May, you're my muse."

"Drew …"

"You are my friend … but … to say friend feels … slighted … I see you as … well … more than that. Much more."

May found herself inching closer into the warmth of Drews body. Drew turned over onto his side so they were both facing. Their noses almost touching, Drew's other arm acted on autopilot, resting his free hand on her hip.

Their hearts beating fast in unison, May inched forwards a little more, her nose gently rubbing against Drews before planting a small light kiss on his lips. Before she could say or think anything Drew recaptured her lips in his offering a longer deeper kiss. They parted before joining again together, the green haired boy moving his hand up to her cheek, gently caressing it, as their mouths moved in union.

A loud bang interrupted them as fireworks went off signalling the end of the party and the end of Grand Festival. The two paused and looked at each other. They both smiled and laughed before continuing their make out session, feeling the fireworks within.

The two continued a while longer before begrudgingly Drew pulled back. "It's getting really late. Come on I'll walk you back to the hotel."

Drew got up and offered his hand, pulling May up. The two walked back to their resort, continuing to converse with one another seamlessly. Drew walked May to her room door as the young teenager leaned against it's frame. Draw placed a hand to the side of her head and leaned in offering her another rose.

"Two roses in one day?" May giggled taking the token.

"Well it's past midnight, so technically it's a new day now, so ..." Drew smirked as he flipped his hair. "Anyway, I was wondering do you want to get breakfast together in the morning?"

Mays eyes lit up. "I'D LOVE THAT!"

Drew sweat dropped at her enthusiasm. "Ok, I'll see you in the morning. Well goodnight May."

"Goodnight Drew."

The two shared a goodnight kiss before the green haired teen departed.

Morning broke the day after the Grand Festival.

May stirred at the sound of knocking at her hotel door. Ugggh what's that … it's too early …

*Knock knock* "May, hey, May are you up? It's past 9am."

Is that … Drew? May, bleary eyed looked at the clock on the dressing table. She jolted up out of bed. OH NO I OVERSLEPT!

Drew leaned up the door frame and re-checked his watch.

A sheepish and slightly dishevelled May finally appeared, smoothing down her hair as she closed the door behind her. "Just umm making sure I had everything packed and ready for check out."

"Um hum. More like you overslept." Drew stated matter-o-factly.

May blushed red in embarrassment and anger. "No! I …"

Drew smiled and gave a small laugh. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, I'm starving!" May replied enthusiastically.

"You're always starving."

"Not always …"

The banter between the two continued as they made their way down the street to an all you can eat breakfast buffet with Drew insisting the meal was on him due to the cash prize he was about to receive for crowning champion. May thanked him and the two finally headed out to be met at the door by a plethora of flash photography and microphones.

The media.

"Drew Hayden! Winner of this years Grand Festival! Can we get a quick interview with you?"

"How does it feel to finally receive the title Top Coordinator?"

"Drew, can we get a few words for your adoring fans at Pokémon Contest weekly?"

Drew smiled flipped his hair and offered polite greetings to the press whilst effortlessly waltzing past them, careful to answer just enough to be polite but not to indulge and stick around longer than needed. May on the other hand was not as professional when it came to dealing with the media.

"Hey is that runner up May Maple?"

Soon the mics all turned on her.

"May Maple runner up! How do you feel after losing such a close and intense battle with your rival?"

"Oh … errr … well, I'm happy for Drew of course … and I …"

"You're glad Drew won?!"

"Well .. I mean … obviously I'd have liked to have won …but"

"And now the two of you are getting breakfast together?"

"Are you two just rivals or is there something more?"

"May are you and Drew dating?! Are the rumours true?!"

May stood like a deer in the headlights. The Pokémon Contest fanzine circuit had hinted and speculated on Drew and May's relationship for years, shipping them relentlessly, so she was sort of used to this kind of attention, but before there had been nothing to tell …

Drew turned back to see May getting engulfed by the media frenzy. He growled slightly and barged his way back through to May.

Drew grabbed her by the hand, the contact snapped May out of her daze as she focused on Drew holding her hand. Drew?

"Yes we're dating. May is my girlfriend, I am her boyfriend. You can all stand down now." Drew almost growled as he pulled May away and stormed off from the media storm he'd just created behind them.

May and Drew had escaped and sat down on the edge of a fountain in the city, catching their breath.

May looked over at her green haired crush. "Drew back there … with the reporters … you said we were … dating?"

Drew looked back at May and his face paled. "Oh … May … I'm so sorry!"

May felt her heart sink rapidly, her pupils shrank slightly.

"That was inappropriate, wasn't it? I just thought, well they're constantly hounding us about our relationship status that if I just told them what they wanted to hear they'd drop it and stop bothering you anymore. Was it too soon? Have I crossed a line? Ugh! I should have kept my big mouth shut, but seeing you hounded like that, I just lost my cool and …"

"No, no, it's ok really … you calling me your girlfriend … I … I liked it." May looked to the ground and blushed deep crimson.

Drew smiled warmly at his crush. No, she was more than that, she was the girl he'd been in love with before he even really knew what that meant. Ever since they first met all those years ago, May had always been on his mind. At first he thought it was just a rivalry, but it didn't take long till he knew it was something more than that. Much more. He placed his hand over May's and the two looked at each other.

"May Maple. Will you be my girlfriend?"

May beamed and dived on Drew giving him a big hug, nearly falling into the water behind them, which he gladly reciprocated. "Yes!"

They pulled back and stared into each other's eyes, leaning in, the two shared their first deep kiss as an official couple.

*** 3 Years Later ***

17-year-old May stood dumbfounded, her Blaziken centre stage at the Grad Festival final had just risen strong from a fire blast struggle whilst the opposing Ninetails succumbed to the power move.

"It's battle off for Ninetails! Which means this years Grand Festival winners are May Maple and her bodacious Blaziken!"

They'd done it. They'd won the Grand Festival. May was finally a top coordinator!

Drew, Solidad and Harley, all knocked out the tournament in earlier rounds stood in the stands. Harley as always made a dramatic spectacle, Solidad clapped loudly for her friend whilst Drew stood tall, chest puffed out, his eyes shimmering with pride for his girlfriend as she received her championship trophy. She and her pokémon were just awesome. He reached into his pocket and clasped a small item. He smiled.

"Congratulations May!"

Glasses of champagne clinked together as the after party of the Grand Festival was in full swing.

"Congratulations May, you were really outstanding today." Solidad congratulated the younger coordinator.

Harley held out a limp insincere handshake to the Grand Festival Winner. "Yes. Congratulations May. You know you only won because the best was weedled out earlier in the competition through flukes and bad refeering decisions. If you'd been in the final against me your tears of celebration would be tears of dejection."

Drew rolled his eyes about to step in to defend his girlfriend, but Solidad gently stopped the young man and gave him a small wink.

May smirked. "Oh Harley, we all know the best don't get weedled out by little ol' mishaps or poor ref decisions. They win."

Harley opened his mouth, but no retort came out.

Solidad and Drew exchanged side smiles. Solidad knew May could take care of herself and now Drew knew it too.

Looking for a new victim Harley set his sights on Drew. "So, what are you still doing around here Drewey? Don't you usually *ahem* disengage yourself from these types of things?" The flamboyant man gestured to the Grand Party around them. "Especially as you were knocked out sooo early this time. I'd be too embarrassed to stay."

Drew walked over and gave May's hand a squeeze. "Right. Normally I'm not a fan of sticking around." Drew flipped his hair. "But I'm here for May. It's her big moment, not mine, and I'm all here for it." He turned to stand in front of her. "So May. Has this been the best moment of your life?"

May pondered. "Hmm winning the Grand Festival is definitely up there … it could be …"

"Well, allow me to hopefully seal it."

"Huh?"

Drew got down on one knee, presenting May with a small box and a red rose.

"May Maple, will you marry me?"

He opened the box revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

Everyone around the pair gasped. Solidad and Harley grasped each other in suspense.

May looked on Drew with shimmering eyes not believing what was before her. "… Drew … yes … YES! OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU!"

Drew got up and placed the ring delicately on her finger.

"So, is it the best moment of your life now? Top Coordinator?" Drew smiled.

"It is! …. Wait, are you proposing to me because I'm now a top coordinator and deserving of you?" May teased her beau.

Drew flipped his hair. "No way, I was going to do it today regardless. Honestly I thought I'd be a consolation prize."

May was in too good a mood to indulge in the teasing banter. "You're never a consolation prize." She laughed out loud and jumped into Drews arms with joy as he spun his fiancé around. Fiancé that felt good to say.

"Congratulations you two." Solidad clapped the pair softly with tears in her eyes. Next to her Harley was sobbing his eyes out making a scene.

May and Drew stood holding hands, beaming from ear to ear. May turned to her green haired fiancé. "I can't wait to tell everyone!"

***End***

May let out a deep breath. The phone conversation with her parents had been a looong one, followed by Professor Birch and then an even longer conversation with her brother Max, who grilled her on every final detail. Ok next call.

May punched in the number and an older yet all too familiar face graced the video screen. A mop of unruly black hair covered by a red and white cap. Pikachu as always on his shoulder.

19-year-old Ash Ketchum. Pokémon Master and ranking #1 of the World Coronation Series.

"May! You won the Grand Festival! That's awesome! Congratulations, I knew you would."

"Pikaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Thanks Ash, Pikachu. It doesn't quite rival you beating Leon in the world series but it's a start! And I have even more good news to tell you! Drew proposed to me! We're getting married!" May flashed her engagement ring to the screen.

"Wow really, hey me too!"

May's eyes shrank. "Wha?"

"I'm getting married."

"YOU'RE GETTING WHAT?!"

Drew who had been patiently waiting at the side-lines for May to get through her calls, raised an eyebrow at May's outburst.

May's face paled. "To what? To who?! You have a girlfriend?! You've never said! Who is it?!"

"Misty."

"Misty?! But … wha … were you even dating? You never said!"

"Didn't have to, I've known her almost half my life. She's my best friend."

"Well that may be … but Ash that's totally crazy?!"

"The wedding is in 2 months."

"IN TWO MONTHS?!"

Drew, stood with his eyes closed and arms folded, opened one of his eyes in surprise.

"Yeah, look out for the invite! Max too. See ya soon! Oh and congrats to you and Drew, pass on my regards!" Ash grinned and waved bye, ending the video call.

With that the screen when blank and May sat dumbfounded. "He … he's getting married … in 2 months. But I didn't even know they were dating …"

May punched in the next set of numbers. A girl with indigo hair appeared. "Dawn! HAVE YOU HEARD?!"

Drew gave May a side eye glance and closed his eyes. This was going to be a long day.