[Cut to outside the Dendemille Town Pokémon Showcase theater. People can be heard laughing as they hang out with their Pokémon and view billboards featuring elegantly dressed Performers and their partners in action.]
[off-screen] Look at all these people!
[Cut to our heroes and their Pokémon. Serena is looking for a place to register for a chance to redeem herself after her loss at the Courmarine City Showcase.]
SerenaLet's see... where do I register?
MMiette
[off-screen] Serena! Is that you?
Serena
Huh? Huh?! Miette?!
[Miette is present with her Slurpuff and male Meowstic.]
MMiette
Long time, no see, everyone!
[Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie walk closer to greet her.]
So, how have you been, Miette?
Hi, Slurpuff! Good to see you!
SSlurpuff
[greeting] Slurpuff!
You're a Meowstic, right?
MMeowstic
[greeting] Meow!
So, are you entering the Pokémon Showcase, too?
MMiette
Of course, how could I not enter?
Serena
I'm not surprised-- [Miette approaches her closely.] Huh?!
MMiette
Hmm, you cut your hair.
Serena
Yeah, so what?
MMiette
[Leans toward Serena's ear.] So, why did you do that? Something big happen in your life?
[This question causes Serena to back away and blush, as it is obviously about her crush on Ash.]
Serena
[squeaks] What are you talking about?! [She instinctively turns toward Ash, who giggles.]
[enjoying the fun] Pikaaa!
Serena
Forget that! I'm all ready to compete in this performance, and I'm not going to lose like I did with the Poké Puffs!
[Braixen and Pancham sound their agreement.]
MMiette
Well, the same goes for me. Now, hear this! [She points her finger at Serena.] We are going to settle things once and for all! And then... [leans into Serena's ear] remember, I told you I might have a chat with Ash~. [Serena becomes flustered again. Miette runs toward the arena and giggles.] Later! Bye!
[Cut back to our heroes. Ash, blissfully unaware of his place in their rivalry, is happy that Miette shares the same energy, while Serena, still blushing, is irritated that Miette can be such a tease to her. On the other hand, Clemont is confused about the whole ordeal, while Bonnie gives off a devious smile, indicating she knows for certain that Serena has a massive crush on her childhood friend!]
Miette sure seems ready to go.
Serena
[turns towards Ash] I'm ready to go, too!
Right! That's the spirit, Serena!
[in motivation] Pika-pika!
[shrugs] Ash can be so dense... [Clemont turns towards her.]
Bonnie, what are you talking about?
Of course, you're the same.
[The title card comes up]
[voiceover] Mending a Broken Spirit!
[Braixen is upset about her branch being broken]
BBraixen
Braixen. [Not my stick.]
PPancham
Pancham, pan. [Sucks to be you.]
[She then turns crossly to Pancham]
BBraixen
Braixen! [You take that back!]
PPancham
Pancham! [Make me!]
Serena
Wait, come on! Don't fight, you two. [Ash, Clemont and Bonnie run up to her]
Pikachu? [Something wrong, Braixen?]
BBraixen
Braixen. [Yes, look.] [Reveals her broken branch to Ash, Bonnie and Clemont who then become horrified]
[Olympia breaks up the fight between Ash and pals and Olympia's apprentice, Carrie, by using her telekinesis to confiscate Carrie's third Poke-ball. Everybody is shocked at Olympia's arrival]
Serena
She's floating.
That must be Psychic power!
CCarrie
What? Stand down?
[already furious with Carrie] YOU HEARD ME!
CCarrie
Yes, ma'am...[Charlene shows up also furious]
Hey! Do you have any idea what you just did, Carrie?!
[Fade to nighttime outside the outside the Gloire City Pokémon Center. Serena, now in her pajamas, sits pensively on the steps with Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon. Ash, also in nighttime wear, and Pikachu, on his shoulder, walk up next to her to check in on her after her loss to Aria.]
What's wrong? Does it hurt? [He takes a seat on Serena's right]
Serena
Oh, no. I've been sitting here thinking.
Yeah. I'll bet you were thinking about your next performance, weren't you?
Serena
Mm-hmm. You could say that.
Of course. When I lose a battle, I get so excited about what I'm gonna do next time, my next strategy. Then I know I'm gonna win!
Serena
[smiles] It's great you're always so positive, Ash.
[suggestively, perhaps to tell Ash that Serena just complimented him, or to point out his denseness yet again] Piiikachu...~
[Serena turns to look at the waxing half moon, very slightly covered by the clouds.]
Serena
It all seems to come so naturally for you.
Braixen Braixen.
Seriously? I don't always know what to do...
Serena
Huh...?
But then... [He runs down the steps, turns around to face Serena and her Pokémon, and opens his arms, as if giving a presentation.]
...if I really think about it, I'd rather do stuff. 'Cause even if I goof up, I learn something. There's nothing we could ever do that's a waste of time!
Serena
Oh, Ash...
[stretching his arms] Okay, time to hit the sack.
[jumps off of Ash's shoulder] Pi.
We've got an early morning tomorrow.
Serena
Yeah. [She stands up. With Ash's advice in mind, she stares at the moon with a new resolve to pick herself back up off her feet and take her next step.]
[Ash is sick and lands headfirst into Serena's arms. Serena gasps.]
[deliriously, while looking Serena straight in the eyes] Now's our chance. Now. Now.
Serena
What's wrong?!
Serena
"I"... what...?! [Serena is now flustered, thinking Ash might confess his feelings to her by saying "I love you" or something similar]
[Serena whimpers uncomfortably and closes her eyes in anticipation of what she thinks Ash is about to say, until...]
Iron Tail, Pikachu... [collapses, causing everyone else to panic!]
[After losing the Gym Battle to Wulfric in the previous episode, a depressed Ash sits in the woods]
Serena
Ash!
Huh...? [He looks up to see Serena, breathing heavily, has found him in the woods] I'm sorry... [holds the rim of his cap] I shouldn't have just left you like that.
Serena
[approaching Ash] Ash... if something is bothering you, you can talk to me. I'll listen, anytime you want! [Ash just looks down and says nothing] Seriously! Anytime, anywhere! [still no reaction] I know how you feel. I've been there! [Ash just continues to sit there moping] Remember when I really goofed at the Showcase?
[as she says this, Ash suddenly gets angered and stands up]
YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW I FEEL!
[Serena is shocked at the sudden outburst and starts getting upset]
Serena
Then tell me about it!
It's none of your business. Leave me alone!
[He turns away and hangs his head. Having enough, Serena throws a snowball at Ash, much to his confusion.]
Serena
The Ash I know is full of energy. He's a leader. Always tries his best! He's always positive, and he never gives up! [welling with tears] He hangs in there until the very end! [continues throwing snowballs at Ash] You're not acting like the Ash I know! [a snowball eventually hits Ash in the face, and he collapses on the snow] Stop! Give me back the real Ash, because YOU SURE AREN'T HIM!
[She sobs and runs off as Ash lies there contemplating.]
"Real Ash"? Whoa... [An Oddish, Budew, and a Sentret watch him. Before long, he finally realizes that all Serena wanted to do was to help him through his depression...] Oh, man...!
[Ash screams in frustration, startling the Pokémon watching and some Fletchings, who fly out of a tree in a panic. He gets up and stretches.]
I've had enough of this! I'm overthinking it! It's making my head hurt. I've gotta get myself in gear! [stands up and stretches his legs] If there's something I don't understand, all I've gotta do is get moving! I'll figure it out. [puts on his cap and sets off]
ZZygarde (Z2)
[in it's 50% Forme, speaking telepathically] Greninja, I've come to ask a favor of you.
Serena
Was that the voice of Zygarde?
ZZygarde (Z2)
The vines that reappeared, the roots have burrowed themselves deep into the ground, and they emerge by absorbing negative energy. What we destroyed was merely on the surface. The scars from the incident that nearly destroyed the world are deep! The two of us are destroying the roots that are scattered throughout Kalos one by one.
SSquishy
[telepathically] However, it's difficult for even me to pinpoint their exact locations, yet, Greninja, it seems that you are somehow able to locate them.
GGreninja
[in its Ash-Greninja form] Ja. [Yes.]
[gasps, then remembers the negative energy from the evil roots] So that was the negative energy...!
ZZygarde (Z2)
I do not know why only you possessed that power, but I am in need of your assistance.
SSquishy
Will you help us with your power?
Serena
Does that mean...?
[Gasps as Ash walks up to Greninja, which is now faced with the decision of its life.]
[coming out of hiding] Dedenne... Dedenne! [jumps emotionally into Bonnie's hands]
[apologetically] Denne-ne-ne-ne...
Hmmm... [nuzzling Dedenne] It's okay~...!
[Everyone walks toward Bonnie and Dedenne.]
Dedenne, you can help Bonnie make her dreams come true!
You'll see! We'll battle!
Serena
I know I'm gonna have to do my best, or you'll beat me!
None of us wanna lose to you!
[All the Pokémon voice their agreement.]
[Bonnie and Dedenne laugh.]
[Fade to a pair of escalators within the airport, where Serena is ready to say goodbye and head for Hoenn.]
PAPublic Address Announcer
Latias Airlines Flight H71 will finish boarding soon. Ticket holders who have not yet boarded, please proceed to the gate immediately.
Serena
'Kay, it's time to go! Ash, Clemont, Bonnie, you've all given me so very much. More than I can say!
Give us a call once in a while!
You can be sure that we're all gonna come and visit you!
Serena
[Her eyes shining, she giggles] Mm-hmm!
Pokémon · 1,435 quotes
