Serena spent most of her free time worrying about Ash because she was just that kind of person. The whole going around in pairs situation gave her the idea to go with Ash, but she remembered Clemont and Bonnie. Ash knew everyone, so he would go with anyone, but Clemont and Bonnie didn't, so Serena saved them from an awkward partnership. In fact, Bonnie caught up on this and walked into Serena's room as she had just woken up.

"Thanks by the way" was the first unexpected words Bonnie said.

"For what?" Serena asked, struggling to put her shoes on. She finally pushed them on to her feet and looked back at Bonnie.

"For saving me and Clemont. I heard what happened and I know you would've preferred to be with Ash, so thanks" Bonnie made Serena go bright red.

"Wh-What?! I-Tha-" 

"You know it's true. I can read you like a book Serena, so don't deny it" Bonnie waved off her excuses. It was true that, because Bonnie knew, Serena couldn't hide anything.

"I had to go with you guys, I couldn't leave you like that" Serena admitted with a smile. She yawned slightly and then stepped into the main room. The smell of bacon and eggs told Serena that breakfast was ready.

"Bacon and eggs for you guys," Clemont said, placing the plates down on the breakfast counter. He then got out several bowls for the Pokemon and filled them with various Poke food. "Cilan had made each Pokefood with different ingredients, to suit the different Pokemon"

"Awesome, he must be a good cook too," Bonnie said with a mouthful, digging straight through her breakfast. 

After breakfast, they all set off outside, wondering what to do next. Serena noticed Dawn and May, the two people that she had become friends with after a few brief conversations.

"Hey, Serena!" they both said, walking over with smiles on their faces.

"Hey May, Dawn. Have you guys seen Ash today?" Serena asked. She wanted to talk to Ash, having not spoken to him probably in ages, since they were in Kalos. Bonnie took something out of Clemont's bag and he started chasing her around, as if on cue.

"Wanting to see your crush today, hmm?" Dawn teased, leaning closer to Serena, making her feel really uncomfortable. 

"Wh-Crush? No..." Serena lied, trying to hide the facts.

"Come on Serena, it is written on your face" May pointed out. Serena felt her face, feeling like it was actually written on.

"Yeah, we can read you like a book already" Dawn winked and Serena felt stupid.

"Is...Is it that obvious?" she said weakly, wondering what to do. This suggested to her that everyone probably knew, maybe even Ash. Serena began to go red, but she was more or less panicking.

"Calm down Serena, it isn't that obvious. I have read a lot of dating magazines in my time, so I know my stuff" Dawn boasted, but May sweatdropped.

"I don't think that kind of stuff helps. Isn't it just for lonely teenagers?" she said, making Dawn feel upset.

"You think I am lonely?" she gave a fake sob, just to make May feel sympathetic.

"No, of course not, you have us," May said, but then she got an unexpected flick on the forehead.

"That's what you get for being so mean!" Dawn frowned, folding her arms.

"You guys sure act like kids" Serena laughed, making them both stop. They turned to Serena and simultaneously flicked her on the forehead. "Ow!!!" Serena shouted out, making Clemont and Bonnie stop and turn. Clermont snatched his stuff back and walked over.

"What's going on?" He asked, after not seeing anything.

"Nothing, the girls are just working on their mental fortitude for the tournament" Serena looked at them with scowls. May stuck out her tongue and Dawn scowled back, but there was a smile hidden underneath.

"Right...Well, we better get going" Clemont spoke slowly, still not even sure what was going on. 

"But the girls haven-"

"Well, see you then!" May said, pushing Dawn away and rushing off.

"Answered my question..." Serena finished. "Hmph"

"Shall we go do some training? The tournament is in two days so we should work with our Pokemon. Plus you might need six Pokemon, so don't you need to catch some?" Clemont asked, turning to Serena. She stopped and stared into space for a moment, realising she only had three Pokemon with her.

"Wait, don't you have four?" she asked Clemont, who nodded. "Well, you need some more Pokemon then"

"Clembot did need to keep Magneton and Magnemite to keep the gym running, otherwise, I could have six. Hmm.." 

"Well, they are releasing the rules tomorrow, so we will find out then. But I should consider finding a Pokemon" Serena shook the thought away for now. "Anyway, we should go do some training"

"Let's use the Pokemon Center" Clemont suggested. As soon as they walked in, they should have expected the sight before them.

"Electrivire, use thunder!" Gary shouted. Electrivire clenched its fists and focused all of its electrical energy. Dark clouds loomed over Ash's Pikachu, on the other side of the arena. But, Ash was only watching the thunder, while Pikachu was in a defensive stance. The clouds crackled with electric and then a yellow light suddenly grew and grew in the epicentre of the twirling clouds. Finally, with a loud BOOM! The lightning shot down and crashed over Pikachu, followed by an explosion afterwards. Serena looked on from the doorway, worrying for Pikachu. As the smoke cleared, electrical energy was visibly flowing around Pikachu, who looked completely fine.

"This defence training is going really well!" Ash was psyched, feeling happy that his training was paying off.

"Yes, but you're only preparing for electric type moves" Gary pointed out, making Ash think.

"Well, let's have that battle you wanted" Ash challenged Gary, who instantly had a grin on his face.

"You got it, one Pokemon each right?" 

"Well, I am going to just begin straight away! Pikachu, use quick attack!" Ash started off the battle. Pikachu focused his energy and a little white aura grew around him, which made Pikachu faster. Pikachu then jumped forward and, using the momentum, began to spring himself around the arena at a great speed, aiming for the huge Electrivire.

"Electrivire, protect," Gary said casually. Electrivire focused and a greenish blue shield formed around Electrivire, sending the running Pikachu bouncing back to Ash.

"Pika..." Pikachu said, realising Electrivire had protected himself.

"You see, you have to practice defending other moves while we have protected" Gary boasted.

"Electrivire!" Electrivire had to join in as well, making Ash feel a little frustrated.

"Pikachu use iron tail!" Ash shouted out really loudly, suggesting to Pikachu that he needed to use as much strength as possible.

"Electrivire, use iron tail too," Gary said. Pikachu jumped up and flicked his tail. It became coated in an iron plating. Electrivire stood its ground as its tail changed into a solid iron, the two tails joining together. Pikachu flipped around and slammed its tail down, but Electrivire span around and blocked it, the two tails colliding.

"Pikachu, use quick attack!" Ash continued, not letting up. Gary was shocked, such a close range attack was hard to react to. Before he could open his mouth, Pikachu became a blur for a moment and the damage was already done, Electrivire stumbled back, temporarily dazed. "Continue with an iron tail, aim for his legs!" Ash said this like it was over, so Pikachu knew he had to use as much power as possible.

"Pika....." Pikachu flicked his tail and it became iron again. He did two corkscrew spins and aimed his tail at Electrivire, but just underneath its waist and straight for the legs. 

"Electrivire, protect!" Gary said, but it was no use. Pikachu connected before Electrivire could recover from the quick attack. The blow to the legs sent Electrivire onto the floor, but he hadn't been finished yet.

"Pikachu, iron tail one more time!" 

Pikachu did the same process, this time jumping even higher into the air. He flipped around to aim his tail at the right angle and used the height to gain more speed as he fell through the air. The force from the iron tail caused a miniature breeze, the wind flowing in all directions. As soon as the dust had settled, Electrivire had fainted.

"The best defence is a good offence," Ash said, as Pikachu returned to his side. "You did great buddy" 

Miette had been watching in complete silence, just like Serena, Clemont and Bonnie, who had entered to train themselves.

"That was amazing Ash!" Miette jumped up excitedly.

"Thanks, Miette" Ash looked at Pikachu. "You feel good after all that training?"

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu was pumped up for the tournament and ready. 

"Return Electrivire, you need to rest" Gary returned his Pokemon. "Looks like I still need to get into the swing of things before the tournament. I am going to head home, so we need to go Ash"

"Alright, I am coming. See you later Miette!" Ash waved goodbye and then turned around, seeing Serena, Bonnie and Clemont. "Oh, hi guys!"

"That was great Ash," Bonnie said with a big smile. 

"Thanks, Bonnie. You guys don't push yourself too much when your training" Ash advised the two and they both smiled and then nodded.

"We won't Ash. See ya later" Serena waved, watching Ash head out with the nonchalant Gary.

"Ok, lets train hard, we only have 1 and a half days!" Serena was just as psyched as Ash, feeling really determined to train her socks off.

Miette got up from the stands and headed to the door. 

"See you guys around" she didn't have to say bye, but she was friends with Serena so it was just common courtesy.

"Yeah, see ya Miette!" Serena waved at her and Miette gave a small wave back.

"Bye Miette!" Bonnie waved too, sensing something in Miette's expression. It was like she felt guilty, but it wasn't guilt from the start.

Miette was thinking about one person in particular. It was a distracting thought that she couldn't get out of her mind and it would be troubling her for another day while she was constantly around him.

"Maybe he is my type..." Miette said to herself quietly as she headed to her hotel room.