Chapter 22:
As another sunrise graced the city of Domino adopted hometown of Ash and Serena Ketchum. The young couple was greeted by the sight of jets gliding through the air and the roar of jet engines as they approached the airport. This was it this was the day Ash and Serena were leaving for their long promised yet long delayed vacation; their destination Paladin Point a resort town that held significance for the young couple as it was where Ash and Serena celebrated their honeymoon years ago. As the young couple entered the airport Ash couldn't help but ask Serena if she was "ready to go?" A question the honey blonde trainer responded to with a nod before whispering; "You bet Ash I've been looking forward to this for a long time." It was a response that caused the raven haired trainer to feel guilty for making his favorite person in the world wait so long. However Ash's guilt soon washed away as he felt Serena take his hand forcing Ash to look at her and seeing Serena's smile and her shimmering blue eyes brought a smile back to both of the young trainers face as they walked over and retrieved their tickets from the ticket counter before hearing an announcement over the P.A.;
"Attention flight RR01 to Paladin Point is now boarding!" It was an announcement that overjoyed Ash and Serena as they realized that was their flight as they walked to the gate their hands intertwined and with grins on their faces to board their flight. After a few hours of flight "RR01" began its final approach into Paladin Point's international airport during which time Ash and Serena leaned closer to one another to look out the window at the glistening resort town below them. As the young couple became entranced by this sight Serena who now had her head resting on Ash's shoulder Ash took the opportunity to whispers to Serena; "It sure brings back good memories doesn't it Serena?" A few seconds passed before Ash heard a response; "It sure does Ash!" Serena's breath tickling Ash's neck as she did so once again making a smile appear on Ash's face. Right now Ash and Serena were in their own world and it stayed that way until they heard the voice of the captain addressing the aircraft over the P.A.
"Attention onboard the aircraft we will be landing at Paladin Point International Airport momentarily." The announcement drew Ash and Serena's attention away from the window as the returned to their seats until they landed.
A few Minutes Later:
Once their flight de-board and they retrieved their bags Ash and Serena walked out of the airport and were greeted by the sunset on the bay causing all the buildings to glimmer in an orange glow along with the smell of tropical air. It truly was soothing but with it getting late already it guaranteed that their wouldn't be much to do a sentiment Serena quickly shared with Ash causing the raven haired trainer to gaze down to his feet and apologize to the honey blonde performer next him but was immediately uplifted when Serena assured Ash that; "It didn't matter because they were here together now and that was all that mattered." It was a statement that caused Ash to perk up once again as his wife suggested they head to their hotel for the night to get some sleep." before hugging him after sharing their embrace for a few moments Ash and Serena reluctantly let go of one another before Serena took Ash's hand in hers and walked over to a taxi together to take them to the inn they would be staying at.
The Following Morning:
Ash and Serena found themselves slowly woken up by the warm sunrise filling their hotel room it wasn't much just a bed with a flat screen TV hanging on the sky blue painted wall with a desk and chair in the corner right beside a small bathroom. As the sunrise woke up the trainers they couldn't help but ask each other if they had slept well a question they both answered with a yes before sharing a quick kiss before hearing a knock on the door. Leaving Serena confused as to who that could be but before Ash could answer they heard the person at their door calling to them; "Room Service" as Ash reluctantly got up from Serena's side and opened the door allowing the hotel worker to pass the small cart with their breakfast order to him. As Ash pushed the cart out of the doorway he tipped the gentleman who bowed to him in gratitude before departing allowing Ash to close the door so he and Serena could enjoy a nice quiet breakfast together.
After finishing breakfast Ash and Serena both got ready to leave and explore the town and before too long the young couple found themselves strolling along the shopping district in awe of just how expansive it was. Ash even at one point commented that he had; "forgotten how big it was and that it rivaled the size of Domino." However after passing a couple more store fronts Serena found something that not only caught her attention but brought her to a complete stand still and it wasn't even until Ash turned around he noticed Serena staring into the window. However when Ash called out to her Serena didn't even move which drew Ash's curiosity as he walked back to her to see what she was looking at. Once at Serena's side Ash gazed into
The window and saw what Serena was fixating on inside the window was a pink diamond shaped gem with purple and black lines running through it. While Ash wondered what that gem was Serena was just fixated on its beauty and before she knew it Serena was practically begging for it. Ash was at a loss he loved Serena and one of the things Ash loves most is to make Serena happy so the raven haired trainer caved and agreed to go buy Serena the gem.
Ash and Serena then entered the store and inquired about purchasing it. After which the shopkeeper walked to the case and got the gem out of the case with white gloves on before placing it a small white "gift box" with blue bands on it before returning to the counter with it and once Ash paid for it the shopkeeper handed the box to Serena who was now crying tears of joy thanking Ash for buying it for her. As the young couple had their moment they found themselves interrupted by the shopkeeper who asked the young couple if they planned on going to the concert tomorrow night." It was a question that confused Ash and Serena until the shopkeeper pointed to a poster on the wall advertising a concert and explained the concert was by Liz a local musician here in Paladin Point who was extremely talented. The information intrigued Ash and Serena especially after hearing the shopkeeper tell them he; "highly recommends her music" So Ash and Serena after exchanging a look with one another told the gentleman that they probably would before exiting the shop Serena still clasping her new gem's box in her hands as Ash held the door open for her. After visiting the jewelry store; Ash and Serena decided to stop for a bite to eat before returning to their hotel.
The Following Morning:
As sunrise rose on day two of Ash and Serena's Vacation but unlike day one when Ash woke up Serena was already up and by the looks of it has been up for a while. Which Ash deduced by looking at Serena's neck where the gem he had purchased for her was hanging as a necklace. As Ash gazed at Serena he heard the honey blonde performer telling him how she decided to make it a necklace. As Ash assured Serena that it looked really great which brought a blush to her face before discussing what they planned to do for the day after which Ash and Serena decided they'd spend the day at the beach and go to the concert by Liz they had learned about the day before.
Meanwhile in the shopping district of Paladin Point:
At the very same store Ash and Serena were at just yesterday a hooded figure along with five men approached the store front these men were dressed in combat fatigues light brown uniforms over which were black vests while on their heads rested combat style helmets with masks covering their faces. The group stayed back in the bushes for several minutes casing the store with binoculars before finally getting up and storming into the store breaking the door of the hinges as they did so. Once inside the store the group made their way over to the counter where the shopkeeper was quaking in fear mostly because he could see the ordinance these masked guys were packing. Eventually the hooded figure yelled to her men in what the shopkeeper quickly ascertained was a female voice to; "Find that Gem" as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture of the gem the shopkeeper had sold Ash and Serena yesterday and demanded to know where it was.
Silence filled the room as the shopkeeper began to fear where this could go but eventually informed the cloaked burglar that he no longer had the gem and that he had sold it to a wealthy young couple yesterday. It was news that infuriated the cloaked woman as she demanded to know who he sold it to but the shopkeeper was braver or maybe even stupider depending on how you looked at it thought as he lied and told the assailant he had no idea who they were as they didn't give him their names. The assailant could tell the store owner was lying and called his bluff demanding answers that is until one of her mercenaries called out for her to take a look at the poster on the wall for the concert that evening and suggested they should go crash it because everyone would be there. The masked woman knew she wasn't getting anywhere with the useless shop clerk and decided to go along with this plan as they all exited the store leaving the poor shopkeeper stunned and filled with dismay.
A few hours later:
After spending the day on the beach Ash and Serena were walking back to their hotel to go change and get ready for the concert which would be starting soon talking with one another about how they were enjoying their vacation completely unaware of the robbery that had occurred just blocks away. Once back at their hotel Ash and Serena both got changed into clean clothes but as Serena Asked Ash if they should get going Serena saw Ash just staring at her with a blank face which caused the honey blonde performer to give a look of concern as she waved her hand in front of Ash's face and said; "Hello Earth To Ash..." Words that broke Ash out of his trance like state as Serena asked if he was alright." A question Ash answered with a yes before telling Serena; "That she just had that effect on her" which brought a smirk to Serena's face as she leaned in and whispered to Ash that; "Flattery would get him nowhere at least not now" before lightly pecking him on the lips before reminding Ash that the concert was staring soon before making her way to the door with Ash right behind her.
After a few minutes of walking Ash and Serena arrived at the packed concert venue and proceeded to make their way to the front by the stage just in time to hear the announcer introduce Liz who came out to the mic the small girl with green hair and a white and pink jacket with long brown pants but just as Liz began to play her and the crowd are astonished and confused by the sounds of explosions before the masked men that were responsible for the attempted armed robbery at the jewelry store earlier stormed the stage with their weapons out. Frightening and infuriating Ash and Serena as they watched Liz run for her life. They both knew they had to do something but they shortly remembered that all their Pokemon were back home. It was then they heard one of the mercenaries who had come to the mic make a demand; "Alright people listen up one of you has something of ours now hand it over!"
However; rather than pay any attention the crowd panicked more forcing the man to take a more threating tone. Serena and Ash had both had enough and turned to one another sharing the sentiment that they had to do something and without hesitation called on one of their friends Gorath The Divine Guardian Dragon of War. Whose approach was signaled by the sky growing darker as Gorath made his entrance confusing the crowd and striking fear in the attackers just by this white behemoths presence not knowing what was going on the group fired their weapons forcing Ash to command Gorath to defend by dropping his blade shaped arm in front of the crowd to protect the panicked spectators As Ash and Serena ran in front of Gorath and demanded the attackers to; "STOP!"
With Gorath behind them Ash and Serena reiterated their demands to these thugs to "stop" as the assailants began to stare in fear at Gorath. Eventually the stalemate was interrupted by a feminine voice calling out; "WELL... WELL... WELL..." As the mastermind behind the robbery earlier stepped out of the shadows; Seeing her was a sight that Ash, Serena and even Gorath couldn't believe mistaking the stranger for their old foe; "The Grandmaster of Tempalizin" As they watched the figure in horror they immediately demanded to know how their attacker survived? While Gorath telepathically announced; "I thought my brother and Arceus destroyed you!" Statements that confused the hooded figure as she had no idea what they were talking about before focusing on Serena who had the gem that she was seeking around her neck and without hesitation demanded it be handed over despite Gorath's presence. It was then that Gorath put two and two together that this was a different person which the hooded girl took as a cue as she lowered her hood revaling her true face and announcing; "The names Celina and now I ask you again hand over that gem!" A demand that infuriated the two trainers as Ash took a stance in front of Serena and assured Celina that wasn't going to happen while Serena who was now standing behind Ash remarked;
"It's mine!" Which was a response that brought an ear to ear grin on Celina's face as she instructed her men to take it from them" As the masked men approached Serena and Ash with their weapons pointed at them Ash gave the order to Gorath to; "Attack with Divine Blade Slash!" Orders Gorath quickly complied with and with one single swing of his sword like arm sent Celina's men flying before forcing them into the ground surrounding her. It was an infuriating scene to Celina as she cursed out what she called her entire team useless as Ash and Serena once again demanded Celina to surrender! A demand that Celina deemed unacceptable as she challenged the world champions to try and stop her!
Which is never a good idea to challenge to Ash and Serena to do anything as she soon learned because as soon as she turned around and began to run Ash commanded Gorath to drop his Blade arm to cut off her only escape route which Gorath quickly did leaving Celina with no way to escape infuriating Celina even more as she once again asserted she couldn't be stopped! To Ash and Serena this situation was getting annoying this whole fiasco had been dragged out for far too long; Ash and Serena decided the time had come to stop this. So Ash ordered Gorath to grab Celina before she had a chance to escape. So Gorath with his human like hand grabbed Celina and grasped her tight as the police arrived to take care of her; before long the area was swarming with cops including officer Jenny and Looker.
Who informed Ash and Serena that Celina was a master Jewel thief wanted in Johto and Kanto as well as being the suspected mastermind behind the theft of the Kalos Regions Crown Jewels; It was information that made Ash and Serena feel even better about what they had done as they instructed Gorath to release Celina who was still squirming in the war guardians grasp. Celina before she even had a chance to react found herself in cuffs as Looker and Officer Jenny dragged her and her subordinates into a prison transport before clearing the scene to take them all to prison. With Celina gone Ash and Serena turned their attention back to Gorath and thanked him for bailing them out of that mess.
While Gorath kept assuring his friends that wasn't necessary before fading back to his home on the Dimensional Plain; Once Gorath was gone a very excited Liz approached Ash and Serena and informed them that she was a huge fan of theirs and repeatedly thanked them for saving the show before asking them if there was anything she could do for them? Hearing that question Ash and Serena turned to one another and thought about it for a moment before facing Liz again and told her that they; "Were really wanting to listen to her play and that they'd like for Liz to give her performance now?" It was a simple request that Liz was more than happy to oblige and before Ash and Serena knew it Liz was on stage as she announced that she was sorry for the delay before starting the show much to Ash and Serena's excitement.
As Liz began to work through her set Ash and Serena both found themselves in awe of Liz and they could quickly see why she was so popular in fact as they listened on Serena told Ash that she'd have to; "Tell Aria that she found the perfect person to do the music at their next exhibition!" A statement not even Ash could argue as they continued to listen on. After a couple minutes Liz began the next song of her set it was a slower pace quieter song and Serena took advantage of the lighter mood to finally "thank Ash for all of this and tell him she had a great time; even with their interruption." Words and sentiment echoed by Ash before assuring Serena that thanks weren't necessary and that "as long as she was happy he was happy."
As Serena expressed to Ash that she wished they could stay longer and that tomorrow wasn't the last day of their vacation." Again a sentiment Ash echoed as he told his childhood friend; "Me too Serena; I'd love to just stay here with you..." They were words that brought a smile to both their faces as Liz finished her final song of the night much to the pleasure of the crowd as they applauded her but tonight Liz felt she needed to share the spotlight as she instructed her fans to; "Give it up for the world champions Ash and Serena Ketchum for saving the show!" Instructions the crowd followed making Ash and Serena a little embarrassed as Liz whished the crowd a goodnight and thanked everyone one more time before coming out" before exiting the stage. Shortly after Liz left the stage the crowd began to disperse amongst them were Ash and Serena who headed to their hotel to get a goodnights sleep before having to head for home tomorrow morning.
The Following Morning:
The sun began to rise once more over Paladin Point but today was a bittersweet day as it was the final day of Ash and Serena's vacation and in true vacation fashion Ash and Serena decided that since their flight home didn't leave until later the day they would take full advantage of the opportunity to sleep in alas however before the couple knew it. It was time to wake up and get ready to fly home. It was bittersweet but as Ash and Serena walked downstairs to check out of the hotel Serena took the opportunity to lighten the doom and gloom atmosphere and reminded Ash that to them; "Wherever they are at together is a vacation!" They were words that did bring a smile to Ash's face as they approached the check-out counter and checked out before getting in a taxi to head to the airport. After a short ride in the taxi the young couple arrived at the airport and began to proceed to the gate holding each other's hands as they did so that is until Serena felt her travel-dex vibrate in her pocket indicating she had gotten a message. Curiosity eventually got the best of Serena as she let go of Ash's hand to retrieve the travel-dex from her pocket to read the message as her and Ash walked to the gate.
Along the way as Serena read the message she began to smile which made curiosity get the better of Ash as he asked Serena what was up?" Serena hearing her husband's question then decided to fill him in; "Aria she got ahold of Liz's manager on my recommendation and Liz said; she'd love to perform at our next exhibition!" Ash was amazed by the news as he told Serena that he thought that was awesome!" As Serena returned her travel-dex to her pocket so they could board their flight home.
Once Ash and Serena were on the plane and the plane had rolled on to the tarmac to prepare for takeoff Serena began to think about something that had been on her mind for a while and decided to ask Ash how he thought how Katie, Lillie And, Gladion's expedition was going?" It was a question that definitely surprised Ash but after a minute or two answered Serena; Hmmm... No idea Serena but; The Guardian Dragons didn't come to us to say anything bad happened; so I'm sure it's going great..."
Hearing Ash's response brought a smile to Serena's face as she whispered; "Yeah you're probably right." Before Ash decided to ask Serena; "how she thought Kenny and Kate were doing?" A question Serena answered by telling Ash; "I bet they're having a blast and doing their best just like we did!" While placing her hand on Ash's as it rested on the armrest between them before whispering to Ash; "I just wanted to thank you again for this trip you're the best." A statement that brought a smile to Ash's face as he responds by whispering to Serena; "So are you Serena!" Before whispering to one another three simple words; "I love you" as their plane began to take off into the big blue sky to fly them home to Domino.
