Work Text:
Serena winning the right to own a Mega Ring came as a surprise to Korrina. Especially since her Absol defeated Ash's Hawlucha despite a type disadvantage. Then again, he was using Tierno's rhythm strategy during the battle, which backfired on him. Gurkinn had to remind Ash that imitation is not always the best form of flattery and that he needed to stick to his own way of battling that time.
It was during this time that Korrina approached Serena and asked to talk to her in private. There was something she wanted to clear up with her.
"Why did you want to speak to me?" Serena questioned. "Don't you want to help Ash out as his girlfriend?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Korrina told her. "Serena. I wanted to try and talk to you back then. Maybe help you process what was on your mind back in Santalune City. I'm sure Ash felt the same way, too."
That took Serena by surprise. Korrina wanted to help her in some way? That...was actually touching.
"Serena. Ash and I are friends," the Gym Leader clarified. "And I'm sure that if you let him into your life, he'll feel the same way about you."
"I wasn't aware that you two were just friends with each other," Serena said with a dawning realization. "Now I feel like an idiot."
"Hey, I don't know what you went through back then, but I don't think you are," the older girl told her. "Now, come on. Let's help Ash with his training."
"Now, I get it," Ash said outside of the Tower of Mastery. "You wanted to come with me, Serena. But you thought me and Korrina were close..."
"I'm sorry for just running off on you like that," Serena began. "I would have wanted to come along, but..."
"No, it's all right," the boy reassured her. "Your PokéVision video was pretty amazing, after all!"
"You saw my video?" the girl asked.
"We did! You were smiling!" Bonnie told her excitedly.
Dedenne chittered with agreement.
"I truly thought you were made for the screen back then," Clemont praised.
Korrina's Lucario nodded "yes" in response to their compliments.
"Thank you," Serena began happily. "All of you. And Ash..."
Serena curled her right hand into a fist and raised it up.
"Just so you know, I enjoyed my battle with you," she told him. "If we battle again, I want our clash to be one to remember. With our own styles."
With his own style...
"Thanks, Serena," Ash said, realization hitting him back then. "That makes us rivals."