112: Metamorphosis — Serena's Hidden Talent Awakens!
The reason Ash made the effort to guide and inspire Serena in finding her dream is simple he genuinely hopes she can become stronger and more accomplished. After all, in his heart, this is the girl he truly cares for, isn't it?
In the original Pokémon Adventures manga, Serena like her anime counterpart was raised by her mother, Grace, a renowned Rhyhorn racer in the Kalos region. Serena was expected to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a skilled Rhyhorn rider. However, Serena had always felt distant from that dream. It wasn't truly hers.
Even after she received her official starter Pokémon and joined Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie on their journey, Serena struggled for a long time with uncertainty about her goals. While she admired Ash's passion and determination, she herself remained unsure about what she truly wanted.
It wasn't until she met and was encouraged by Shauna a friend from childhood and a spirited girl already participating in the TriPokalon Performer circuit that Serena began to seriously consider the idea of becoming a Pokémon Performer. Shauna's enthusiasm sparked something inside her.
And from that moment, Serena began working toward her new dream with fierce determination. She entered the Rookie Class of the TriPokalon tournaments and climbed rapidly through the ranks, proving herself time and again.
Despite starting later than most of her peers, Serena's natural charisma and stage presence helped her qualify for the Master Class tournaments. In the prestigious Tripokalons Grand Festival, Serena stood out among the many talented contestants and made it all the way to the final stage.
There, she shared the spotlight with Kalos Queen Aria known as Elle in the manga the region's most celebrated performer. Though Serena didn't win, her performance left a lasting impact. Even Palermo, Aria's former mentor and a retired Kalos Queen herself, personally approached Serena afterward with an offer to take her on as her next apprentice.
Such an invitation from a figure of Palermo's stature was proof beyond doubt: Serena had the potential to become one of the best.
This shows just how much talent Serena possesses as a Performer. Though she was once introverted and hesitant, the moment she discovered her calling, she shone brighter than anyone had expected. People like her gentle and reserved on the outside can become brilliant stars once they find their confidence.
Serena is living proof of this.
However, talent alone isn't everything. The fact remains: Serena began her journey as a Performer later than others, losing valuable time in self-doubt and confusion. Had she known earlier what she truly loved, her progress might have been even smoother.
That's why Ash wants to help Serena now. Before her official debut, while there's still time to explore and prepare, he wants to guide her toward uncovering her true passion so she can move forward with clarity and courage.
And it's working. Under Ash's encouragement, Serena has already shown a clear interest in the world of Pokémon Performers.
But for her to fully embrace this path to truly know deep down that it's her dream Ash still needs to push her just a little further.
"Serena," Ash said suddenly, coming to a halt in the shaded woodland path. He turned to face her, his expression sincere. "I've said a lot just now. But after hearing all that... do you think you know what your dream is?"
"Ah?" Caught off guard by his question, Serena blinked in surprise. She had been deep in thought, absorbing everything Ash had told her, but now she looked visibly lost.
"I... I'm not sure," she said softly, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I'm sorry, Ash. You've told me so much, and it means a lot to me... but I still don't know what I truly want. I'm still confused about what my ideal is."
Stephanie lowered her head in embarrassment, feeling a weight of self-doubt. She felt useless Ash had spoken so much from the heart to help her, and yet, she was still lost inside. That sense of guilt lingered in her expression.
Seeing Serena's conflicted and apologetic look, Ash simply smiled and shook his head gently. He wasn't surprised at all by her reaction. In fact, he had expected this moment of hesitation.
Ash stepped closer and placed both hands reassuringly on Serena's slender shoulders, guiding her to lift her chin and look directly into his eyes.
"Serena, you've already found your dream," Ash said, his voice calm but confident, the certainty in his tone unmistakable.
"Ah! Really?" Serena looked up, a flicker of surprise flashing across her face. Her wide eyes asked the question her lips barely formed: "Really? Then why don't I feel like I know it yet?"
Seeing her confused yet hopeful face, Ash couldn't help but let his smile widen. He knew this was the moment she needed.
"People who feel lost are often unaware that they're already seeking what makes them happiest," Ash said warmly. "Like wild Pokémon, we instinctively gravitate toward the things that bring us joy without even realizing it."
"And we express that desire through our actions, our words, and even our silences."
Ash gently squeezed her shoulders, still looking into her eyes.
"When you talk about the things you've seen, heard, and thought about and share them with passion you're revealing your heart, Serena. The topics that make you light up the most are the ones closest to your true self."
"So tell me," Ash continued, "when I described all those Pokémon-related careers Trainer, Breeder, Coordinator, Researcher, Sommelier, and Performer which one caught your attention the most?"
"Which one did you ask the most about?"
Hearing this, Serena lowered her eyes in thought. Her brows knitted together in concentration, but this time, the silence didn't last long. She quickly looked up, her expression brightening with realization.
"Performers… The one that made me feel the most excited what I wanted to know more about was being a Pokémon Performer," she said softly at first, then with growing confidence.
Even though she was only six years old, children in the world of Pokémon often matured faster due to the challenges of early journeys. And Serena was a particularly bright and perceptive girl.
"To be a Pokémon Performer means understanding fashion, baking Poképuffs, stage performance, coordination… all of that."
She began listing things off with increasing energy.
"I've always loved fashion! At home, I used to save my pocket money just to buy the latest fashion magazines by Ms. Valerie yes, the Laverre City Gym Leader. She's also a famous designer, and her outfits were my favorite!"
"And even though I'm not great at cooking yet, I love desserts! I used to borrow books from the local library to find recipes, then tried making little cakes and cookies on my own… I even gave Poképuffs a try!"
Serena's voice softened as she mentioned the last part.
"But the thing I long for the most… is to one day be brave enough to stand on a stage, in front of bright lights, and show the world who I really am. I used to be shy… afraid, even. But that's why it means so much to me. I want to change that."
"Ash," she looked up again, eyes shining, "I really love Pokémon performances. I want to become a Performer in the future."
Ash didn't need to say anything. Serena's expression said it all she had finally recognized the dream in her own heart.
"Is that so?" Ash asked softly, his expression full of encouragement. "Then tell me, Serena right now, if I asked you what your dream is, what would you say?"
"Performer," she said, her voice steady and bold. "A Pokémon Performer. That's my dream!"
Ash burst out laughing, not in mockery, but in joy. Her conviction lit a fire inside him, too.
"Ha ha! That's it! See, Serena? I told you, you already knew what your dream was all along."
And as he looked at her, the joy on Ash's face only deepened. She had finally taken her first real step toward her future.
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