Chapter 23:
As their plane approached their adopted hometown Ash and Serena couldn't help but lean close to one another and gaze out the window at the shimmering buildings below. It was truly a captivating sight that had the young couples complete attention that is until they heard the captain come over the P.A.; "Attention on board the aircraft we are now on final approach for Domino Airfield we will be landing momentarily!" Hearing that announcement brought Ash and Serena's attention away from the window and back towards one another as their plane finally landed.

An Hour Later:

After their plane landed and they retrieved their luggage Ash and Serena slowly made their way back home with their hands intertwined and smiles on their faces. However; as Ash and Serena made the short walk home the young couple was blissfully unaware that they were being watched by a gentleman as he pulled out his communicator; "ATTENTION COMMAND THE WORLD CHAMPIONS HAVE RETURNED AND RE HEADING TOWARDS THE BATTLE COLLISEUM." A report that was responded to by whoever was this man's new commander; "Understood I'll relay the information; in the meantime keep an eye on them from a distance until reinforcements arrive!" orders the grunt quietly acknowledges as he slides away deeper into the tree line. Then after a few more minutes of walking; Ash & Serena are greeted by the sight of their home. It was a truly welcoming sight for the young couple as they turned to one another and smiled before walking inside.
Once inside they were greeted by Kali dressed in her traditional all black attire as she asked her employers if they enjoyed their vacation. a question Ash and Serena answered with a quick; "Yes and You Bet." before Ash asked where their Pokemon were!? To which Kali answered by assuring Ash and Serena that they were all out black enjoying this beautiful weather before turning to Serena and informed her that she had company waiting for her upstairs in her and Ash's study. A statement that initially surprised the performer as she realized her "guest" arrived early. Not wanting to be rude Serena placed her bag down and insisted she'd "go ahead and head upstairs" While Ash assured her that he would put their things in their bedroom, check on their Pokemon and then bring some tea up to them." An offer that brought a smile to Serena's face as she kissed her husbands cheek and thanked him before turning to Kali and asked her to follow her upstairs instructions Kali smiled at before asking; "Planning another exhibition!?" A question Serena responded to with a nod before heading upstairs with Kali in tow.

A few hours later:

Inside Ash and Serena's study the table sitting in the middle of the room was covered with several pieces of paper. On the paper were plans for Serena's upcoming exhibition which was being poured over by Serena, Kail who Serena trusted as a confidant, and "Serena's special visitor" Aria who had taken over her teacher Palermo's job as chief operator of the Showcases. As the three ladies looked over these plans Serena couldn't help but ask what they thought. To which Aria and Kali answered by assuring Serena that everything looked good. After which Kali couldn't help but express another unrelated thought; "I am starting to get thirsty though" a thought echoed by Aria as Serena muttered; "well Ash was supposed to be bringing..."

but before Serena could finish her statement Her, Kali And, Aria hear a knock on the door as Ash entered the room with the tea he promised Serena!" Much to the relief of the three ladies but, Serena couldn't help but ask; "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG ASH!?" A question Ash answered with a light chuckle as he placed the tea on the table before rubbing the back of his head before explaining; "Sorry for the delay; I just got off the phone with Aether Serena..." Hearing the word "Aether" immediately worried Serena as she jumped up from her seat demanding to know if something happened to Katie, Lillie or Gladion!? To which Ash responded to with a smile;
"Of course not Serena they just wanted us to know everything was going excellent and that they were going to be returning home later this week!" A response that allowed Serena to breathe a sigh of relief before scolding Ash for scaring her like that!"
As Ash quietly apologizes to Serena whom after calming down began to smile again as she ralised the timing couldn't have been better as Ash's focus fixates on the table where the plans and details Serena Kali and Aria were discussing were in plain view. Almost forcing Ash to ask the question; "I take it that means you've got the exhibition planned?" A question Serena responded to with a soft smile; "You bet; we've had the overall event planned for months so it was just a matter of finishing the details!" It was a response that brought a smile to Ash's face as Aria asked Serena as she sat behind her; "That's right this would be Katie's first time seeing a performance right?" It was a question that caused Serena to sigh before responding; "That's right... i just hope she'll like it and enjoy it..."
It was a response that showed doubt from his wife for Ash so quickly and without hesitation Ash placed his hands on her shoulder and assured Serena; "Don't worry she will Serena... every one of these you do is amazing and awesome!" Assurances reinforced by Kali and Aria causing Serena to not only smile but blush in embarrassment as she leaned over to Ash and whispered to him; "thank you Ash... I love you..." so quietly that their guests couldn't hear them.

The Following Morning:

With all the details confirmed for Serena's next exhibition a small army of workers have descended on the "Domino Coliseum" to transform it and get everything ready for the event overseen by Kali and Serena herself. Before anyone knew it the clock was coming closer and closer to noon; Something that did not go unnoticed by Serena as she turned to Kali and asked her if she knew where Ash was? Kali then assured her boss that he was out back training. An answer that was not at all surprising to Serena as she decided to take a break and spend some time with Ash. As she turned to Kali and asked; "I'm going to go take a break; you got things handled here!?" a question that Kali answered with a nod as Serena picked up a small box and walked out the door to go find Ash. Once outside Serena discovered Ash Greninji and Pikachu training in the back yard. It was a sight that captivated Serena as she decided to just stand and watch for a few minutes before finally interupting the three of them; "Looking Great Boys..."

It was a response that initially startled Ash and his pokemon as Serena approached them her presence bringing a smile to Ash's face as she did so and once Serena was standing in front of him Ash couldn't help but ask Serena; "What she was doing here?" A question that caused the honey blonde to giggle as she responded to her husband; "Well i baked fresh cookies this morning so i thought I'd take a break and share them with my favorite person in the world!" It was a response that stunned Ash a bit at first as he became lost in Serena's shimmering Blue eyes before agreeing to Serena's request. A sight that signaled to Greninja and Pikachu to go play with the others while Serena took Ash's arm so they could go find a place to be alone while unbeknownst to Ash and Serena once again they were being watched by two strange men who used their communicators to relay a brief message to their commanders; "Observation team to command no sign of the Divine Dragons at this time!" before disappearing into the shadows.

A Few Minutes Later:

After walking together for a couple of minutes Ash and Serena found a small clearing with a meadow blooming with flowers it was truly a captivating sight and Ash and Serena knew immediately that this was a good place to have some time alone with each other as the couple walked over next to a small shade tree where the two Sat down and scooted close to one another as Serena opened the small box she had with her revealing the fresh baked cookies she had made as the young couple began to eat.

Another hour passed as Ash and Serena continued to relax leaning against the tree they found as Ash had his arm wrapped around Serena brining smile to both their faces; "I really missed having alone time with you like this ash just the two of us." Serena whispered to Ash who responded by; "Me too Serena it has been awhile; but maybe we can work on fixing that!" and after assuring Serena that they we're going to fix that Serena finds herself surprised by ash grabbing ahold of her and pulling her towards him. Causing the performer to laugh as they whispered; "I Love you" to one another before sharing a quick kiss. It was a moment that neither Ash or Serena wanted to end but alias they knew that their lives were calling them both. At first Ash was reluctant but agreed when Serena promised Ash that they could continue where they left off later as they helped one another back to their feet and walked back home together.

Once arriving back at the Domino Coliseum Ash true to his word began helping the workers finish setting up for the exhibition the way Serena saw it and after several hours of work everything was setup to Serena's standards. Which was evident as she personally thanked each worker as they left until soon it was just her Ash and Kali left in the room but of course Serena had a special thank you for Ash as she hugged and shared a kiss with her husband. While Kali couldn't help but ask Serena when; "Liz was supposed to arrive?" because of course Serena and Ash wasted no time in praising the musician they learned about on their vacation. Serena was a little irritated Kali had interrupted her and Ash's moment she didn't want to be rude as she answered her; "She'll be here later tomorrow and that Aria would escort her to the coliseum when she arrived." Before thanking Kali and taking a grip on Ash's arm before suggesting to Ash that they; "call it a day!?" A suggestion the exhausted raven haired trainer quickly "seconded."

The Following Morning with Ash and Serena:

As the sun rose on the home of Ash and Serena the young couple were enjoying a nice quiet morning on their front porch Ash of course had Pikachu asleep in his lap while Serena had Sylveon asleep in hers. As Ash asked Serena what the plan was for today? A question that made the performer smile as she answered her husband;"Well Aria is going to escort Liz here when she arrives but until then there isn't much we can do!" It was a statement that brought a smile to Ash and Serena's face as they realized that means they'd have a quiet morning to themselves or at least that was the plan until they heard their doorbell ring. It was something unexpected and peaked Serena's interest as her and Sylveon got up to go see who was at the door. When Serena entered the foyer and opened the door she was greeted by a familiar face her best friend and one time rival from Kalos; "Shauna" Serena was astonished by her friend's early arrival but was happy to see her none the less as she invited her inside.

Meanwhile At the Domino Airport:

Liz had finally arrived in Domino and the musician loved the sight of the city prominently displayed out the airport windows and it was then as she wandered the terminal she was greeted by Aria who quickly and excitedly introduced herself to the Paladin Point native. It was surly the warmest welcome Liz had ever experienced as Aria escorted the musician and guest of Serena outside the airport and to a waiting car.

Meanwhile Back At Ash & Serena's Home:

Shauna was happily conversing with her friend and husband catching up with both Ash and Serena before turning the conversation to Ash and Serena's tournament victory over Lillie and Gladion. Before turning the focus more specifically on Serena's torracat the one she saw on television. The new Pokemon was extremely intriguing to the performer and she really wanted to see it so Shauna managed to convince Serena and Torracat to have a battle with her while they waited for Liz. A request Serena eventually agreed to before turning to Ash and asking her husband if he'd like to come and watch. A question Ash answered with a nod as he followed Serena and Shauna outside to watch their upcoming battle. Once outside Serena and Shauna took their positions. Serena asked Ash if he could judge for them since Kali hadn't arrived yet. A request Ash complied with as Serena brought out her Torracat while Shauna brought out her Pokemon; "Florges" a baffling move to both Ash and Serena sending a grass type intentionally into battle against a fire type while Shauna smirked responding to her friends concerns by saying that it "Doesn't matter if your attacks don't hit..." Before Ash called for the battle to begin intrigued on just how this battle would turn out. After several minutes the car carrying both Aria and Liz arrived in front of Ash and Serena's home.
Which was connected to the battle coliseum it was an awe inspiring sight to Liz who as a fan of Ash and Serena had heard of this place and seen pictures but never had the honor of coming here in person but as the two ladies stood their they heard noise coming from around back as well as Serena and another female clearly giving out orders for a battle which really peaked their curiosity as they walked around towards the sounds and sure enough upon their arrival they saw Serena having a battle with Shauna and the smoke from the battle clearing out as Ash made the battle call; "Florges is unable to battle so Torracat is the winner"

As torracat gave out a shallow roar before turning around and running into his trainers arms as Ash congratulated them as Aria and Liz called out to them finally catching their attention as Liz ran to them curious herself about Serena's Torracat which gained fame during the Domino Grand Tournament eventually introductions were out of the way as Liz heard Aria and Shauna talk about how Serena spoke so highly of her it was a revelation that brought a blush of embarrassment across the musicians face as Serena thanked her for her agreeing to do this something Liz assured Serena that it wasn't necessary as she felt this was an honor to do as Ash and the others helped Liz with her gear and escorted her inside to get setup for her part of the exhibition.

Once inside the coliseum Ash and the others helped Liz get setup and of course like any good musician once her gear was setup Liz felt the need to test it and make sure everything was ready for her show. As Liz grabbed her guitar and got in front of the microphone and begin to play. Her music having an almost hypnotic effect on everyone including Kali who had just arrived for work and as Liz continued to play and fall into her own little world everyone turned to Ash and Serena; "you guys weren't kidding about her; and that Liz was incredible!" Praise that everyone reiterated and gave Liz as she finished her song bringing great joy to the musician; as she revealed that this particular song was written specifically for this event much to everyone's amazement. Serena then went up to Liz and started talking to her but found herself quickly stopped by Ash who nudged her arm and directed her attention to the time and the fact that it was time to meet Katie, Lillie and Gladion.
Realizing this Serena and Ash turned to their guests and informed them of what they needed to do and invited their guests to make themselves at home until they got back as they walked out the door together.

A Few Minutes Later:

After several minutes of walking Ash and Serena had arrived at The Aether Foundations Domino Building home to the "Inter-Dimensional Transporter" The one Lillie, Gladion and Katie were returning from the Dimensional Plain on and after waiting a few more minutes. The "Inter-Dimensional Transporter" finally returned to the lab right on schedule! As the large airplane like machine came to a full stop in front of them Ash and Serena watched the hatch open out of which Stepped Katie followed by Lillie and Gladion. As Katie went to Serena who asked how their exhibition went Lillie and Gladion turned to Ash almost with lifeless expressions on their faces as Ash asked them; "So what'd you think; it's just like we described right!?"

Ash's question was just answered by muttering from Gladion who thought Ultra-Space was the definition of extreme while Lillie questioned how it was possible for Katie to go on like nothing happened. It was then everyone's attention turned to Katie as she informed everyone that her Lillie and Gladion had a surprise that they were going to be working on.

A statement that certainly peaked Ash and Serena's curiosity However Serena had a surprise of her own to show Katie Lillie and Gladion as her and Ash escorted them outside and towards the Domino Coliseum assuring all three of them that they'd love this surprise as they continued to make their way there.