Late Bloom *Completed*

Champion

"Noivern, boomburst!" Ash could not resist to take the first opportunity to attack and test Septile's reflexes.

"How predictable," Sawyer smirked. " I cannot believe I have lost to you. Today, I will be victorious." 

Sawyer's Septile dodged easily each forceful boomburst, which indicated how much stronger the pokemon had become.

Ash knew Sawyer had changed as a person and as a trainer, he was going to try to ruffle his nerves and make his moves more desperate.

"Must be hard to be in my shadow in all aspects." Ash made sure to smile through the inner anxiety he felt. "As a trainer and as a boyfriend, I am more attractive as a better choice."

Sawyer frowned at that comment. "Septile, leaf storm! Give it everything."

Septile started up the leaf storm, and it caught Norvern in the swirling leaves that were increasing in number and speed.

Ash was anticipating for Sawyer to risk this move if he could get under Sawyer's skin, he waited for the right moment. "Come on out and hit quick."

Noivern had braced himself with its wings in the middle of the storm and launched out to hit Septile with a dragon claw that hit across its body hard.

"Dammit!" Sawyer saw he had reacted out of emotion, and it had cost Septile the advantage he had hoped to win; however, he would not back down. "Leaf blade."

"Boomburst." Ash was quick, and his Noivern reacted swiftly to deflect the attract; this happened two more times, and he saw Septile being worn down.

"Frenzy plant!" Sawyer shouted while fisting his hands as his tension rose, understanding how quickly he lost his senses in this battle.

The plant attack came from all angles, which Noivern dodged and as it swirled around to make contact, all Noivern had to do was share one look with Ash and know exactly what to do. Noivern lept into the sky-high into the clouds, circled and came back down, launching a supersonic at Septile that hit easily. Sawyer gasped as he saw his Septile become confused them launched a multitude of cut attacks to itself. 

Ash watched as Pikachu came up and jumped on his shoulder. "Hey, buddy. Just in time to watch Noivern win this. Boomburst!"

Just how it had begun, Noivern ended it easily. Septile was knocked out, and Sawyer had to bring it back into his Pokeball. Sawyer grabbed the next Pokeball holding it to his side as tears began to run down his face.

"Please." Ash crossed his arms, taking in the sweet feeling of this win. "Bringing out any more pokemon to be beaten would be unfair for them. Especially with Pikachu back by my side. That was your plan, wasn't it? You thought if I had to leave Pikachu, then I wouldn't have any other strong pokemon." He walked up to Noivern, who went in for a cuddle. "I will always have strong friends on my side, unlike you."

"You idiot." Sawyer placed the Pokeball away. "How are you so loved? By pokemon and by everyone around you? You have it so easy."

"I do have luck on my side." Ash gave Noivern a treat as well as one for Pikachu. "I also work hard for everything, so that I never take it for granted."

Sawyer yelled, "You took Clemont for granted, but he still loves you!"

"Ah, right." He looked to Noivern and Pikachu, "Protect the house while I make sure Clemont is okay."

"PIka!" Pikachu ate his treat and nodded.

Ash walked up to Sawyer, "All you have to do is be better than what you are now." He waited until the words sank in, then punched Sawyer across his jaw, knocking him out. "That's for putting Clemnont through hell."

Ash ran into the house, looking around, and then went straight for Clemont's room. He opened the door and found Clemont lying on the bed with his hands and feet tied up with rope.

"Ash!" Clemont could not believe the look on Ash's face as it went pure white when he saw what condition Clemont was in. If there was any doubt to think how deeply Ash felt for him, it was dashed at that moment.

Ash stripped off the rope in a matter of minutes, then carefully sat Clemont up, and they held each other there as Clemont sobbed more on Ash's shoulder. Ash held him tight and let Clemont have every last tear run out until he breathed heavily when it had all dried up. Clemont was relieved that his worst horror was over and that it was Ash who had been his shining knight.

"Sawyer. He did this." Clemont said through breaths trying to calm himself to regain his composure.

Ash wiped Clemont's tears from his wet cheeks with the edge of his hand and looked into Clemont's eyes. "What exactly did he do? He sent me a picture of him kissing you."

"What? I don't remember that. He tried to kiss me, but I shoved him away last minute." Clemont pouted in trying to see through the haze of the last few days."

Ash jumped up, "I should have more than punched him out!"

"Wait." Clemont gripped Ash's hand, "Please stay. I don't ever want you to be away from me again."

Ash sat down, still holding Clemont's hand. "I will stay with you for anything. As a friend, whenever you need me."

"I need you to be more than a friend." Clemont leaned close, "I want you as my boyfriend."

"Are you sure?" Ash inched closer as well.

"Always." Clemont fully closed their distance by placing his lips to Ash's lips, and they lightly connected in the best possible way.