Serena (anime)

"Ta-da!"

- Serena's catchphrase when she presenting something interesting Serena is an enthusiastic Pokémon Trainer and Performer from the Kalos region and was one of Ash's traveling companions during his journey in the Kalos Region. Her main goal is to be named Kalos Queen, the highest prestige achievable for Pokémon Performers. She and Ash met before the events of the series when Ash aided her in her time of need. She developed a strong crush on him from that day on and it became one of her most notable characteristics, evident through her blushing whenever she looks at, talks to or is amazed by him.

Appearance
Serena's first outfit consisted of a dark gray tank top with a white collar, dark gray stockings, long honey blond hair that reaches just above her waist in loose ponytail, medium skin tone, red double waist side buttons pleated skirt, black hi-tops with a pink semi-Poké Ball printing on the sides similar in design to Hilda's and a dark pink hat paired with a black hatband and ribbon bow. Serena marks a return to basing Ash's female companion off of that generation's female player character in the video games. However, Serena is also the first to have undergone minor cosmetic changes for the transition to the anime, whereas May and Dawn remained the same. Among the cosmetic changes are; Starting from A Showcase Debut! onward, she wears a new outfit with her hair styled in a short layered bob and wears a new reddish-pink fedora, a bright pink dress with a white collar, her gray top underneath, and a red waistcoat with a blue ribbon on her chest, the same stockings, and brown boots. When she was young, she wore a pink dress, with Mary Jane shoes, and a straw hat tied by a light pink hatband, and ribbon. For pajamas, she wears a lavender hoodie with pink heart insignias on the hips with dark-pink shorts, along with a red or pink bow. As of A Frolicking Find in the Flowers!, she wears pink sandals whenever she's in her pajamas while outside.
 * She appears a little younger or shorter than her game counterpart.
 * Her fingernails are short and trimmed like most other characters on the show, rather than long like her game counterpart in Pokémon X and Y.
 * Her fingernails are kept natural without any nail polish on, while her game counterpart wears a faint pink nail polish.
 * Her shirt collar is white instead of black.
 * The sunglasses on the hat are replaced by her tiny bow.
 * She doesn't have a Mega Ring.
 * Her eyes are blue despite the fact that her game counterpart is a gray color (even her game counterpart's contacts can be changed to blue).
 * Her hat appears larger, more curved, looking similar to a straw hat.
 * She wears high-top shoes unlike her game counterpart, who wears sneakers; however, they are in the same design.
 * The line going down from the top of her shoes, down to the soles, is one straight line, while on her game counterpart's sneakers, they are two separate lines.
 * She also does not have the purse that her game counterpart does, instead of having a backpack.

Personality
Serena is a very kind and polite girl. She is always concerned about what her friends are doing and is always supported of them. She also has a passion for fashion and clothes as she tries to find the prettiest clothes. Knowing this, she hates getting dirty and being soaked in mud. Much like May, Serena adores trying out the various popular food spots in cites and towns, especially deserts. Serena would sometimes get flustered and would blush quite heavily, shown mainly when someone brings up her crush on Ash and when Penelope requested him to be with her before discovering what she really meant. Through her journey, Serena went through a great change in her personality as she became a very strong and determine girl, shown when she remains herself of Ash's motto "Don't give up till it's over" and when she would take hits for her Pokémon. Serena can sometimes blame herself for problems that occur or whenever she fights with her friends despite her friends telling her that it's alright or assuring it wasn't her fault.

Skills
Serena is shown to be a skilled baker as she enjoys baking for her friends and Pokémon frequently, but she has skill in cooking other things as well. She also has some skills in Rhyhorn racing due to her mother being a racer, because of the upbringing she possesses a unique charm when it comes to them and they nearly all gravitate towards her without question in doing anything. Serena has grown to be a great performer and dancer, shown in the showcases she entered. She became a good battler, as she watched Ash's battles for a long period, and got to be pretty good at fishing.

Grace
Grace is Serena's mother. She wanted her to be a Rhyhorn racer like her, but seeing her passion in performing, she began to see she wants to do her own thing and respected it. Serena finds her mother picks for clothes to be less fashionable variety. Despite this, Serena cares a lot for her mother. She admits that on her journey that she saw a change in Serena and was proud of the person she became.

Ash
Although they're close friends, Serena has strong feelings for Ash which started when they first met when they were little. Ash had helped her out after getting lost in the forest. She had hurt herself when a Poliwag startled her, and Ash has used a handkerchief to dress her wound. Ever since traveling with Ash, Serena would blush whenever she was amazed by him, talked to him or when people talk about her crush. Serena even helps Ash out and is always worry about him whenever they get separated, when he gets hurt or when he does things that are dangerous just to help out Pokémon. Also, Serena sometimes would warn Ash about something that might be dangerous and she has scolded him for his habits, sometimes. Serena and Ash had only one fight but it wasn't entirely an argument as she was trying to help him snap out of his depression, after he lost his first attempt to get his last badge. Serena temporally had doubts about Ash, after their fight and during the search for him in a snowstorm, although she did shake them off, especially when Ash thanked her for helping him. However, Serena didn't shake all her doubts for Ash off as she had some left in her but she still believed in him no matter what, shown throughout Ash's rematch for his last badge. Serena put an end to her doubts for her friend once and for all, after Ash won his last badge. Serena supports Ash all the way and looks up to him showing she been influenced by him. Before leaving for her next adventure, Serena told Ash how glad she was that she came along with him as she tells him how much she admires him also she declares she'll be an even more amazing lady for him when they meet again then gave him a kiss admitting her crush on him and thanking him for everything he did for her.

Bonnie
Serena views Bonnie like a little sister due to both being girls. They are best friends and do a lot of girls stuff together. Serena sometimes stops Bonnie from asking girls to take care of Clemont when he's not around showing she can get annoyed with that habit. Serena would do anything to protect her from danger and would comfort her when needed. Bonnie knows that Serena has a crush on their friend Ash.

Clemont
Serena does view Clemont as a good friend to be around and respects his knowledge about Pokémon, due to being a Gym Leader. She can get annoyed whenever his invention fails and when they blow up but is sometimes happy when his inventions work. She would help him set up the table when they're having breaks or having a meal. She would help him cook sometimes as well. They both have a common admiration for Ash.

Miette
Serena and Miette didn't get off to a great start when they first met as they instantly became rivals. However, they were able to become good friends, after they lost the Poké Puff contest they entered together. Serena and Miette still have their rivalry because their both Pokémon Performers and they both compete for Ash's affection due to Miette also having a crush on Ash. Also, Serena would sometimes freak out and blush a little bit whenever Miette appears or when she brings up her crush on Ash or when she interacts with him.

Shauna
Despite being rivals, Serena and Shauna are close friends as they would do anything to help one another out. Shauna was one of Serena's main inspiration to become a Pokémon Performer, after hearing about them through her. Shauna is aware of Serena's crush on Ash, shown when she accused her of liking him.

Nini
Serena and Nini are not only rivals because their Pokémon Performers but their also good friends. Instantly when they first meet, Serena helped Nini see what she needed to fix in her performances and she has also has done the same for her. Nini knows that Serena has a crush on Ash.

Aria
Serena admires Aria and wants to become a fantastic Pokémon Performer just like her one day. However, Serena didn't know it was Aria when they first meet as she was using an alias name to get away from her fans and they even spent the day together which formed their friendship. Serena did realize that it was Aria that she met and became friends with, after seeing her do a familiar pose on TV that she saw when they were having a double battle. Serena took Aria's words of using her smile to give others strengths and happiness to the heart. Despite already being friends, Serena and Aria formed a friendly rivalry, after she maintain her title as Kalos Queen.

Mairin
Serena and Mairin were able to hit it off right away when they first meet as they formed a close friendship. Like she is for Bonnie, Serena would do anything to keep Mairin safe from danger. Also, Serena would help Mairin out as she instantly decided to go help her get her partner Pokémon, Chespie, back from Lysnadre Labs. Serena and Mairin even wished each other good luck before they left for their new adventures.

Biography
Despite being Ash's newest female companion who just started her journey, she had previously met him when they were younger back in Pallet Town years ago at Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp. Serena was lost in the woods while trying to look for the rest of her group, resulting in herself getting wounded after getting startled by a Poliwag. But at that very same moment, Ash came to her aid and escorted her out. Since that day, she kept the handkerchief he used as a bandage as a way to remember the kind act and inspiring advice he gave her.

Pokémon the Series: XY
Years later, Serena was always woken up by her mother's Fletchling. Fletchling would use its beak on Serena's head, then she would scream at the former and try to grab it. Soon she would be called by her mother to do morning training with her Rhyhorn. Despite her mother's attempts to get her to become a Rhyhorn racer, Serena would complain about how much she hated it, especially when Rhyhorn knocked her off its back. Later in one day of routine practices, Serena and her mother were watching the news on TV about a Garchomp rampaging across Lumiose City. As they watched, they spotted a boy accompanied by a Pikachu and a Froakie climbing to the top of Prism Tower to calm it down. When Garchomp was successfully calmed, the ground beneath the boy's Pikachu gave way and the boy jumped off the tower, making Serena gasp out of fear for his safety. She was relieved when he and his Pikachu were miraculously saved by a Mega Blaziken at the very last minute. When the news cut to a shot of Ash and zoomed in closer so that the viewers could get a look at his face, Serena was stirred, believing it to possibly be Ash, though she referred to him as "that boy" as she didn't yet have any solid confirmation that it was him. It was Ash's reappearance in Kalos that convinced Serena to start out on her journey to become a Pokémon Trainer.

The next day Serena went to Lumiose City to get her very first Pokémon from Professor Sycamore to start her journey. When she got there, she found out two things: that it was, in fact, Ash she'd seen on the news earlier, and that he was headed to Santalune City for his first Pokémon Gym Battle to participate in the Kalos Pokémon League. Serena chooses Fennekin as her starter and traveled to Santalune City to catch up with him.

When she arrived she found Ash in the middle of a Gym Battle but saddened after witnessing him losing to Viola's Vivillon. Her hopes of reconnecting with him were dashed when he ran right past her without looking at her to tend to his Pokémon, but fortunately she noticed he'd left his backpack behind. She met up with him at the Pokémon Center to return it and was about to ask him if he remembered her before being interrupted by the Pokémon Center bell. She later got to ask him properly during a break in his training; in typical Ash fashion, he did not, much to her dismay. She told Ash where she'd seen him and repeated the words he'd once said to her during their first encounter: "Don't give up 'til it's over!" Those words gave Ash the inspiration he needed to continue his training as it reminded him that he needed to remember his fighting spirit. She later helped him again during his Gym Battle by calling out to him to remember the training from yesterday, which successfully helped him to win his first Kalos Pokémon League Gym Badge.

After that, Ash asked Serena to travel along with him, Clemont and Bonnie, which she happily accepted. While traveling back to Lumiose City in order to head to Cyllage City and helping Ash recall when they first met, Serena is shown to be somewhat skilled at Rhyhorn Racing. She showed Ash how to ride a Rhyhorn, which shows she knows a lot from her mother teaching her about them. In "Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!" it is revealed that Serena does not like Rhyhorn Races, but throughout the episode, she grew to like them better than before. On the day before the Rhyhorn Races, she baked cookies for Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie in the middle of the night.

The next day, the Rhyhorn Races began, but it was interrupted as Team Rocket disabled the cameras. Serena became worried that something terrible might have happened to Ash, so she came along with Clemont and Bonnie to see what was going on. When they found him, they discovered that he had been ambushed by Team Rocket and they find him trapped in a net while his Pikachu and the Rhyhorn were trapped in cages. As Clemont used his Bunnelby to trap Team Rocket in a ditch, Serena and Bonnie arrived to rescue Ash. Serena used her Fennekin to fight off Team Rocket and make them drop the remote. This indicated that this is her first Pokémon battle in her journey as a Trainer. When Team Rocket was blasted off by the Rhyhorn they captured, she introduced her friends to her mother. She then tells her that she decided to travel with Ash and his friends. She thought her mother would disagree with her decision, but instead she said it would be a better experience for her. Afterwards, she gave her friends each a bag of cookies as a way of saying thank you to Ash for all he did for her.

While traveling, she was unsure about what kind of dream she wanted to chase after. Serena made her very first Pokévision video, which became very popular as Shauna, Tierno and Trevor as they all watched it many times. Serena participated in a Poké Puff baking Contest, where she meets her first rival Miette, who also has a crush on Ash. However, both Serena and Miette lost the contest but they both promise to become stronger the next time they see each other. Before going their separate ways, Serena was warned by Miette that if she doesn't tell Ash how she feels about him or she will tell him how she feels about him. While participating in the Pokémon Summer Camp, Serena meets an aspiring Pokémon Performer named Shauna, where she learns about Pokémon Showcase through her as they formed a friendly rivalry. Being inspired by Shauna, Serena decided to pursue into becoming a Pokémon Performer and become the next Kalos Queen.

While watching a Performance, Serena witnessed a Pancham interrupt the performer to put on a little routine of its own. Serena tracked it down and discovered it wanted to perform too and gave it her favorite pair of sunglasses right after catching it. When the rest of the gang showed up to accost Pancham, Serena held them back, stating she wanted to catch it. Her battle was interrupted when Team Rocket captured Fennekin. As Pancham tried to rescue it, Jessie ordered her Pumpkaboo to attack them. Unwilling to let her Pokémon get hurt, Serena tackled Pumpkaboo to the ground. This enraged Jessie, who then ordered Pumpkaboo to attack her. Just as Pumpkaboo was about to, Pancham intervened to protect her. When Team Rocket was blasted off again, Serena finished her battle with Pancham, making her first capture after two tries.

Kalos Quest
Serena meets another friend and rival in Nini, who watches each other performers and see if they need to fix something in their routine to make them look good for the audiences with Ash, Bonnie and Clemont helping them as well.

Later, Serena met up with her mother again when Grace was teaching a group of people how to ride Skiddo. Throughout this time, she kept her aspirations of becoming a Pokémon Performer secret from her mother, hoping to tell her when she built up the courage. When Team Rocket looted some cheese and goods from a nearby dairy, Serena's friends chased after them on Skiddo. Knowing they wouldn't be fast enough, she got on Grace's Rhyhorn and chased down Team Rocket's truck. After Team Rocket was sent packing, Serena finally worked up the courage to tell her mother that instead of becoming a Rhyhorn Racer, she wanted to be a Pokémon Performer. Grace expressed her concerns that Serena wouldn't go through with it, pointing out that she would give up on something when she thought she couldn't do it. She proposed a race: if she won, Serena would resume training for Rhyhorn Racing; if Serena won, she would be free to pursue her dream. Grace gained an early lead during the race when Serena fell off her Skiddo. Remembering all she'd been through before this, Serena got back on and managed to come around from behind and come in first. Free to pursue her dream, Serena parted ways with her mother on better terms now that they better understood each other.

Following Ash's fourth Gym Battle against Ramos, the gang was still in town when they heard from Ramos about a ceremony where Trainers gave gifts to their Pokémon. As Clemont and Bonnie elected to stay behind at the Center, Ash and Serena left their Pokémon in Bonnie's care and went off together to find gifts. While they were walking away, Serena thought to herself that she felt like she was on a date with Ash. She nervously tried to hold his hand but couldn't work up the courage. During their time in Coumarine City's shopping district, Ash frequently asked Serena her opinion on various gifts, but each time she pointed out their poor potential. Ash later left her by herself to go find a gift on his own, hurting her feelings and making her pout as she'd wanted to spend the whole day with him. Later, while she and Ash were on the monorail headed home, she got to see the ribbon Ash received from the monorail company. While she thought it was pretty, Ash was more concerned about the fact that he didn't yet have something to give his Pokémon. Serena clued him in, saying they would be happy to receive any gift so long as it was from him. She elaborated by asking Ash what he would like to get as a gift, pointing out this his Pokémon took after him. She later met up with Ash again when he returned from preparing his gift. She later had to blast off Team Rocket with the rest of the gang when they showed up wanting to steal everyone's presents. After all was said and done, Serena discovered a present under the tree addressed to her. Opening it up, she discovered a beautiful dress which she later found out was from her mother, whose support she found incredibly touching. To make her day even better, Serena was given a present from none other than Ash himself, as thanks for helping him find a gift for his Pokémon. Serena was overjoyed and happily accepted the gift, promising to cherish it.

On the day of her first Showcase, Serena met up with Shauna again and the two began their friendly rivalry. While she waited for her turn, Serena became increasingly nervous. When her turn finally came, she decorated Fennekin with a top hat and ribbon. The ribbon would be her undoing as it was too long; when she least expected it, Fennekin tripped on the ribbon and fell. Serena cradled Fennekin in her arms in front of the crowd, finishing dead last in her block of three. She watched as the Performers did their routines for the Free Performance round, sad she wasn't among them. She hid her feelings from the others, even to the point of directing the conversation towards where Ash would go for his fifth Gym Badge. Very early next morning, before sunrise, she stood with her Pokémon at the docks. Unable to contain her grief and frustration any longer, she broke down in tears and began to cry. Her Pokémon tried desperately to cheer her up, jumping into her arms to show their support. Motivated, Serena stopped crying and apologized to them, saying their loss was her fault. She got out her fashion case and took out her scissors, going to the end of the dock. Putting the scissors to her hair, she remembered all the events of her journey leading up to this moment. She cut her hair short as the sun rose on a new day, and a new her. Later that morning, she presented her new look to her friends. Their reactions were mixed: Clemont wondered what had happened; Bonnie lamented Serena cutting her hair as she liked it long; Ash was the only one who had a positive reaction, saying it looked good on her before noticing she was wearing the ribbon he gave her. Fully rebounded after her loss, Serena was the first one out of the Pokémon Center, goading her friends saying she'd leave them behind if they weren't fast enough. Now understanding what it was like to lose, she left Coumarine City with a little more life experience under her belt.

When Clemont parted ways with the gang to return to Lumiose City, he asked Serena to take care of Bonnie in the meantime, to which she told him to leave it to her as Bonnie tearfully told her brother she'd be alright.

Serena practiced with Pancham and Fennekin for her next performance. Serena told her Pokémon her plan for the next showcase's free performance and started practicing, but as Pancham jumps through a ring of fire created from Fennekin's Flamethrower, his bum caught on fire but was put out by the ground. Pancham got mad but Serena suggested that they started over. The second time, Pancham manage to jump through to ring of fire, but crashed into Fennekin, which caused both of them to argue. Pancham jumped onto Serena's shoulder, to which Fennekin used Flamethrower to hit Pancham, but accidentally hit Serena's face while Pancham dodged the attack. Serena got mad and shouted at Pancham and Fennekin, but after she noticed what she has said, Serena said that she needed time alone to calm down.

Serena was looking into a window of a store until a girl came up and startled her by saying that hat would match her the best. The girl introduced herself as Arianna, when she really is Aria, and told her it's always important for girls to keep smiling. Arianna asked Serena if she wants to go shopping with her since she is alone. As they went into a shop to look at somethings Serena told Aria her dream was to become the Kalos Queen just like Aria. Then Aria asks her which bracelet she should get and Serena suggested the blue one. Aria thought that was a good idea but thought the red one looks great too which made Serena smile and laugh. Serena told Aria that she lost her Coumarine Showcase during the first round and Aria told her she saw the showcase. She told her that she had gotten mad at Fennekin and Pancham. After leaving the shop, they went somewhere to eat. While talking to Aria, she saw a girl giving a Poké Puff to her Furfrou, causing her to think about Fennekin and Pancham and start to cry. Aria suggested that she should apologize since she yelled at them. Returning to the Pokémon Center, Ash tells her that Fennekin and Pancham were worried about her. Once all three made amends, they agreed to engage Arianna in their first Double Battle, during which Fennekin evolved into Braixen, but Arianna got called away before they could finish. Upon realizing that she spent the day with Aria, the Kalos Queen herself, it only helped to raise her spirits about becoming the Queen herself one day.

Eventually, Serena entered her second Pokémon Showcase, this time competing against Miette and Jessie, only this time, despite a mishap with Serena's dress, due to Jessie's indirect interference, she came out victorious and earned her first Princess Key.

As she traveled with Ash and co., Serena soon found a shy Eevee that had impressive dancing skills and wanted to use those moves during her next performance. While she and her friends tried to find Eevee, Serena's life was unexpectedly saved when Eevee called out to her to prevent her from falling down a cliff. In gratitude, Serena left a flower crown for Eevee to wear. The next day, Clemont attempted to lure Eevee with Serena's Poké Puffs. However, Eevee took it without Clemont noticing and made him believe that his Chespin ate it. Serena decided to perform in order to get Eevee to reveal itself to the group, which met with success. After thwarting Team Rocket's attempt to capture Eevee, she added it to her party as her third Pokémon.

Eevee was introduced to Shauna and Tierno. Shauna excitedly told Serena about all of Eevee's possible evolutions, in which Serena took a liking to Glaceon while Eevee seemed to take a liking to Jolteon. Inside the Pokémon Center, Serena decided that Eevee should get over its shyness, so Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie called out some of their Pokémon to help Eevee become more comfortable. Encouraged by Clemont's Bunnelby, Eevee brushed her tail over each and every Pokémon save for Chespin, whose accidental outburst scared Eevee into tears. Later, Serena and Shauna teamed up against Ash and Tierno in a Double Battle. Eevee was shy and hesitant to battle at first, but with encouragement from the Pokémon, Eevee was able to make a comeback by learning the rhythm of Tierno and his Blastoise and following it up with Swift. Inspired by Eevee's dance moves, Serena called off the battle. Wanting to use them for her performance, she asked Eevee to teach her and her team her beautiful dance moves, to which Eevee agreed.

At Anistar City, Eevee was startled by Jessie's use of fireworks during her performance and ran off. Serena begged the gate attendant to let her look for Eevee, willing to risk being disqualified to make sure her Pokémon was safe. With the gang's help, she desperately searched for Eevee but to no avail. Eevee, who was hiding under a bench, saw Serena looking for her noticed how worried she was, mustering up her courage to run to her trainer. With Eevee safe and sound, Serena made it back in time for her performance in which Braixen and Pancham dazzled the crowd utilizing Eevee's dance moves in tandem with their own attacks. She earned her second Princess Key, needing only one more to qualify for the Master Class.

XYZ
Serena and her friends meet a mysterious Pokémon, nicknamed Squishy by Bonnie, as its being chased by Team Flare which they all agree that they should protect at all cost.

While relaxing with her Pokémon and the rest of the gang in a flowery meadow, Serena witness a lovestruck Quilladin vying for Eevee's affections. While she ultimately stood by Eevee, Serena was nonetheless gentle in letting Quilladin down easy before finding out how fickle his heart was.

After arriving in Couriway Town, Serena entered her fourth Showcase intent on winning her final key. However, as this was Eevee's first performance, she had to keep assuaging the latter's anxieties which had come to a head the last time. During the Free Performance, Serena, Eevee and Braixen charmed the audience with their dance routine. Leaping into the air, Eevee prepared to land on Braixen's branch. However, she got distracted by the crowd and her anxieties came to a head once again, causing her to lose her balance and fall off. Knowing Eevee felt upset, Serena encouraged her to keep on dancing and sticking to the routine. Though still nervous about being around and in front of people, Eevee got up to finish Serena's performance. Because of Eevee's misstep, Serena lost the Showcase. Though Eevee felt bad and blamed herself for the loss, Serena told Eevee not to worry and raised her up into the air, growing closer with her after turning what would've been a repeat of her first failure into a moment of growth for them both.

Serena was later present for the gang's battle with Team Flare in Terminus Cave, calling on Braixen to battle against their Skorupi, Drapion, Houndour and Bisharp.

Serena attended a dance party in which she was partnered up with Ash to face Miette and a disguised James, in which Slurpuff seemed to have the upper hand on Eevee. Serena gave Eevee some encouraging words and their bond increased, as Eevee evolved into a Sylveon, where she learned to use Fairy Wind and won the battle. Afterwards, Serena and the others left, her bond with Sylveon is now stronger than ever.

She participated in the Frey Pokémon Showcase and successfully wins the Fleurrh City Princess Key against Amelia to qualify for the Master Class Competition. She was not sure of herself when she talked to the famous Pokémon Judge named Palermo.

Serena participates in the Master Class Showcase and made it to the semi-finals.

Serena makes it through the semi-finals to earn the right to challenge Aria for the title of Kalos Queen in the finals, but lost due to her swollen left wrist after her performance in the semi-finals. She becomes a Runner-Up, yet proved herself a worthy rival for Aria. She also gets a card from Palermo to train her to be the next Kalos Queen, but she doesn't accept it, because she wants to keep traveling. But the offer is still open for her to accept later.

Serena impersonated herself as Ash, who was sick with a cold after an intense night of training, when a trainer named Jimmy and his Pikachu, Spike, challenged the latter for a Pokémon battle. Her plan went well until Team Rocket interfered. But when Ash recovered from his cold and blasted Team Rocket off, she apologized to Jimmy for not telling the truth. But Jimmy forgave her and joined the group for lunch.

Serena has been deeply worried about Ash when he hasn't returned to the Pokémon Center after his defeat against Wulfric, the Snowbelle City Gym Leader. While sitting outside at the Pokémon Center, Serena decided to go into the Winding Woods to look for Ash. Serena found Ash, who was still depressed, sitting on a log as he apologizes for leaving her and their friends like that. Serena not only attempted to cheer Ash up but also tries to get him to open up by telling him that if something is bothering him he can talk to her and she'll listen anytime he wants. Serena tells Ash that she knows how it feels to lose then she was about to remind him of her own losses at the Pokémon Showcases, but Ash, who is still depressed, gets up and lashes out at Serena thus starting an argument between them. Getting mad and confused by Ash sudden outburst, Serena threw a snowball at Ash to get his attention. Realizing that her friend has lost his confidences, Serena is telling her friend about how the Ash she knows is full of energy, is a leader, always tries his best, that he's positive and never gives up also he hangs in there till the end then threw two more snowballs at him while saying he's not acting like the Ash she knows. After the second snowball hits Ash which got him in the face also the impact resulted him in falling over, Serena, who is beginning to have doubts for her friend, tells him to give her back the real Ash because she sure this isn't him then left to go back to the Pokémon Center. Serena returned to the Pokémon Center just before a blizzard started to fall in. However, Serena was still upset but Pikachu talk some sense into her thus ceasing her anger then decided to go get Ash before the weather gets worse with Bonnie, Clemont and the rest of Ash's Pokémon coming along to help with the search. When they got to the spot where she last saw him, Serena and everyone realize that Ash left as they don't know where he has gone not even Clemont's Luxray can't see where he went. However, Serena, Pikachu, Clemont and Bonnie couldn’t continue the search due to the snowstorm getting worse as they had to take shelter somewhere. Serena, Pikachu, Clemont and Bonnie were able to find shelter in a nearby cave Squishy found as they waited for the snowstorm to blow over. While inside the cave, Serena hopes that Ash will be alright as Bonnie tells her not to worry while saying it will be ok hearing this made her feel a little bit better. Serena tells Bonnie, Braixen, Clemont, and Pikachu that she let something Ash said get to her then said something really terrible back to him, thinking this was her fault that Ash went further into the woods because of their fight. While looking at the fire, Serena admits to her friends that Ash is someone she admires a whole lot, despite having more doubts about him, even Clemont admits the same thing as he tells her that he's a one of a kind with Pikachu agreeing with him. Serena listens to Clemont when he tells her that they will go back out there to look for him when the snowstorm lets up a little and they all went to sleep. Once the snowstorm died down, Serena, Pikachu, Clemont and Bonnie were gonna continue their search for Ash but he with Greninja, somehow knowing where they were, came to them instead as they were very relieved that both of them were unharmed. After Ash and Greninja apologize to everyone for worry them, Serena was about to apologize to Ash from earlier but he stopped her as he wanted to thank her for knocking some senses into him, also as an apology from earlier. Serena is very glad that Ash's confidences have been restored, after hearing his thanks.

However, Serena wasn't entirely sure that Ash had his confidences back shown before and during his rematch against Wulfric. Despite her uncertainties, Serena still had faith in him all the way even when she, Clemont and Bonnie see that he and his Greninja perfected the Ash-Greninja form. After the battle was over, Serena was incredibly happy that Ash does have his confidence back for good.

After making their way to the Kalos league, Serena showed her support for Ash all the way, who made it all the way to the finals. Before the final battle between Ash and Alain, Serena met and befriended Alain's best friend Mairin, who began to admire her. Serena later watched the battle between Ash and Alain; she was sad to see Ash lose, but was happy that he and his Pokémon gave it their all. After the match, Serena watched Team Flare's plans go into place then left the stadium with Clemont and Bonnie when Squishy took off. Serena with Clemont and Bonnie met up with Ash and Alain and they informed them that Squishy had left. When Bonnie found out that Squishy was going to Prism Tower, as she was able to sense where it was going, Serena left with her and Clemont as they want to catch up with it while Ash and Alain went to go looking for Mairin. Serena, Clemont and Bonnie saw Lysandre's broadcast and in the process, they also found out more about Team Flare. After meeting up with Clembot and Blaziken Mask, Meyer in disguises, Serena and everyone kept going to Prism Tower, but they had to hurry due to Bonnie sensing Squishy. Once they arrived in Prism Tower, Serena and everyone else was shocked when they saw Team Flare blocking their way. Later, Serena became shocked along with her friends when they find out that Squishy was a Zygarde this whole time.

The next episode, Serena goes with Professor Sycamore and Mairin to Lysandre Labs to get Mairin's Chespie out of there, and with Team Rocket's help, they get there a lot quicker. Once they got to Lysnadre Labs, Serena battled some Team Flare grunts while Professor Sycamore and Mairin went to go get Chespie. After saving Chespie, Serena with Professor Sycamore, Steven, the Hoenn region champion, and Mairin went to go get the giant rock that Lysandre had but Chespie got absorb into and transform into a Megalith Zygarde. Serena tried her best to defend the Megalith Zygarde off before Ash and everyone else arrive to help. When everyone regroup, Serena decided to stay behind to keep Bonnie and Mairin safe. After Chespie was safe, Serena helps stop the Megalith Zygarde before Squishy and Z2 finish it off for good.

After the crisis was over, Serena helped Clemont rebuilt the gym also she helped Mairin prepare a welcome back party for Alain later she help everyone defeat Team Rocket after another failed attempt to steal Ash's Pikachu again. Serena was awarded along with her Pokémon medals for their efforts against Team Flare then she was there for a fire work display to celebrate the grand reopening of the Lumiose Gym. Seeing that everyone still down from the Team Flare incident, Serena decided to put on a Showcases to cheer everyone up and make them smile. Serena stayed with her mother for the night to ask for some advice as her mother tells how much she changes on her journey, However, the next day, Serena was still down on what to do next but thanks to a battle with Ash and some advice he gives her she now knows what do. Later, Serena tells everyone her news that she decided to keep traveling so she can be a better performer with everyone supporting her decision.

Following Palermo's advice, Serena left the group to travel to Hoenn and compete in Pokémon Contests. Before leaving, Serena tells Ash how glad she was that she came with him as she tells him that he someone she wants to be. Serena tells Ash that the next time they see each other she'll become someone better for him. Before leaving, Serena gathered up the courage to kiss him, much to the shock of Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu and Dedenne and leaving Ash momentarily stunned in awe before he starts smiling at Serena as she smiles back at him as she thanked him for everything he did for her then said goodbye to her friends right before she got on her plane. She is last seen happily arriving in Hoenn, ready to begin her journey there.

Achievements

 * Poké Puff Contest: Top 3
 * Pokémon Summer Camp: Winner (along with Clemont, Bonnie and Ash)
 * Pokémon Showcases
 * Dendemille Town Showcase (Rookie Class): 1st place
 * Anistar City Showcase (Rookie Class): 1st place
 * Couriway Town Showcase (Rookie Class): Top 5
 * Fleurrh City Showcase (Rookie Class): 1st place
 * Gloire City Showcase (Master Class): Finalist

Other achievements

 * Honor of Kalos medal

Voice actresses

 * English: Haven Paschall
 * Japanese: Mayuki Makiguchi
 * Finnish: Alina Tomnikov
 * Greek: Afrothiti Antonaki
 * Italian: Deborah Morese
 * Brazilian Portuguese:
 * Michelle Giudice (Season 17-18)
 * Bruna Laynes (Season 19-present)
 * Spanish: Isacha Mengíbar
 * Dutch: Tara Hetharia
 * German: Gabrielle Pietermann
 * Hindi:Sayuri Haralkar (Hungama dub)

Trivia

 * Serena is Ash's first companion to have known him personally before the very start of the series.
 * She is also the first companion to have a canonical, confirmed crush on Ash. This crush has been noticed by Miette, Bonnie, Shauna and Nini in A Battle by Any Other Name!, Performing with Fiery Charm!, Tag Team Battle Inspiration! and Master Class is in Session!, respectively.
 * Serena took the longest time to officially join the main cast since the start of the series, which is seven episodes.
 * She is the second main character whose Japanese name remained the same in English, the first being Iris.
 * She is also the second of Ash's female traveling companions to choose a -type Starter Pokémon (Fennekin). The first was May when she chose Torchic.
 * Coincidentally both of them specialize in performance-oriented fields.
 * Serena was the first companion whom Ash asked directly to join the group.
 * Serena is the first female traveling partner to not get herself or her bike shocked by Pikachu at the start of the series.
 * Misty, May, and Dawn all had their bikes electrocuted, while Iris and Bonnie were directly shocked by Pikachu.
 * So far, Serena is the only female companion who hasn't either argued or fought with nor insulted Ash on a regular basis or be easily irritated by his actions, Misty, May, Dawn (on a smaller extent) and Iris have all been easily irritated by his recklessness and have argued and fought with and insulted him during their travels with him.
 * However she did have a conflict with him once; only to snap Ash back into his senses.
 * She is the first female companion to completely change her appearance mid-series. This may be a reference to the character customization feature from Pokémon X and Y.
 * However, her hair didn't grow back to its original length after she cut it short.
 * Serena is the second character for Fennekin to burn in the face, Ash being the first.
 * While on the subject, she is the second character to be burned in the face by a -type starter that she owns. The first is also Ash, who regularly receives this treatment from his Charizard.
 * Technically she is the third, as behind Ash is Dawn as she got a face full of flames from the back of her newly-hatched Cyndaquil.
 * Serena shares a lot of characteristics with May.
 * Neither knew what their goal was at first, but eventually focused on one related to beauty and style.
 * Both chose the -Type starter: Torchic in May's case and Fennekin in Serena's.
 * They are Ash’s only two female companions who do not have a Pokémon who usually stays outside of its Poké Ball.
 * Both have caught a Pokémon based on a bear: Munchlax and Pancham, respectively.
 * Both have obtained an Eevee that has evolved. (A Glaceon and Sylveon, respectively).
 * Both were expected to have the same career as one of their parents, (a Gym Leader and Rhyhorn Racer respectively), neither of which wanted to pursue.
 * Both girls pay attention to fashion, albeit in different areas: May focuses more on swimsuits while Serena focuses on outerwear.
 * She also shares some characteristics with Dawn.
 * Their starter Pokémon defended them from wild -type Pokémon (Ariados for Dawn and Vespiquen for Serena).
 * They both become renowned through the media: the Wallace Cup for Dawn, Pokévision and Showcases for Serena.
 * They both had a large number of rivals in their professions for the top spot.
 * Since the beginning (especially when they first meet), they both had great admiration for Ash and his actions out of love for Pokémon (when Ash rescued Pikachu by climbing one of Team Rocket's mecha for Dawn and when he helped an agitated Garchomp on Prism Tower on live TV for Serena), and are never judgmental of and very kind to him, even going as far as always believing in Ash to win his battles.
 * Both had finished Runner-up in a Top Class Competition.
 * Unlike Misty, May or Dawn, Serena doesn't just happen to become Ash's friend, she has the closest connection because of the flashback to Professor Oak's field trip. Misty, May and Dawn happens to meet Ash and go on a journey with him after their bikes been electrocuted by Pikachu.