XY007: Difference between revisions

{{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} are departing [[Santalune City]], when Ash queries {{an|Serena}} as to her next destination. She hesitates, unsure, but Ash invites her to join their group, a suggestion that {{an|Clemont}} and {{an|Bonnie}} immediately agree to. Serena agrees and uses her guidebook to inform them that in order to reach [[Cyllage City]], the site of Ash's next Gym battle, they must first travel through Lumiose City.

While in the woods leading to Lumiose City, Ash contemplates challenging the Lumiose Gym again. Upon Clemont's recommendation, Ash begins to search for a Pokémon to catch. In the meantime, Clemont asks Serena why she decided to go on a journey in the first place. Serena explains that she wants to return Ash's handkerchief to him and explains how they had met so many years ago. At [[Professor Oak]]'s Summer Camp, an event attended by both Ash and Serena, Serena had gotten lost in a forest and fell over after being startled by a wild {{p|Poliwag}}, injuring her knee in the process. Serena was frightened and called out for [[Grace (Kalos)|her mother]]. Soon after, Ash, who was looking for the same Poliwag, found her and wrapped his handkerchief around her knee in order to help her get back on her feet. He then gave Serena the advice to "never give up until it's over", a phrase that Ash and many of his friends, including Serena, has repeated throughout the anime series. After helping Serena to her feet, Ash had led her out of the forest and back to the camp.

After Serena relates this story and returns the handkerchief to Ash, he finally remembers her. Serena also says that she wanted to see Ash again as well as give his handkerchief back, but that she never expected that he wouldn't recognize her. Suddenly, the ground begins trembling as a group of {{p|Rhyhorn}} racers speed down the forest path. [[Officer Jenny]] drives up soon after, informing the group that they are on a Rhyhorn race track. She takes them to the track's starting line as Serena explains the rules of Rhyhorn racing to Ash. After Officer Jenny convinces Ash to participate in a race the next day, the group parts ways with her at a Rhyhorn stable, and Serena gives Ash advice on how to properly approach and ride Rhyhorn. Meanwhile, {{TRT}} is watching them and plot to steal the Rhyhorn and {{AP|Pikachu}}.

After they change into Rhyhorn racing outfits, Serena begins training Ash on how to ride a Rhyhorn properly. However, the Rhyhorn keeps throwing Ash off and Serena shows him the proper technique. However, when she tries to make Rhyhorn run, it throws her off and the Rhyhorn all begin eagerly licking her (and eventually Bonnie as well). At this, Serena realizes that the Rhyhorn are actually very friendly Pokémon. Later, Ash begins riding and his skills improve. Surprising herself, Serena gives Ash the same advice that her mother had given her [[XY002|not too long ago]]. As a result, Serena realizes that maybe she has misjudged Rhyhorn racing. That night, while everyone is sleeping, Serena bakes cookies for the group while {{TP|Serena|Fennekin}} watches her.

The next day, the race is set to begin. As the {{WP|Racing flags#Green flag|green flag}} waves to start the race, Ash and his Rhyhorn get off to a shaky start, but they manage to catch up to the other racers after a while. However, [[James's Inkay]] squirts ink on the cameras broadcasting the race, prompting Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Fennekin to go investigate. Meanwhile, Ash is confused that he can't see any of the other Rhyhorn racers, but a net suddenly drops out of the sky and snares him as Pikachu and Rhyhorn are captured in a cage. Team Rocket appears, reciting their {{motto}}, and Ash sees the other racers tied up the same way he is and their Rhyhorn stolen as well. As {{MTR}} starts to drive the train of cages away, he and parts of the cages are hit by a {{m|Mud Shot}} from [[Clemont's Bunnelby]] as Clemont arrives to battle Team Rocket. Serena, Bonnie, and Fennekin approach from the other direction and, much to everyone's surprise, Fennekin asks Serena to battle Team Rocket. Fennekin uses an {{m|Ember}} attack, causing [[James]] to drop the device that controls the cages. Before [[Jessie]] or James can stop to pick it up, Clemont grabs a rock and aggressively smashes the device, which frees Pikachu and the Rhyhorn. Surrounded by the angry Rhyhorn, Team Rocket is sent mercilessly blasting off as Officer Jenny arrives to check on the situation.

Later that evening, Ash, Clemont and Bonnie introduce themselves to Serena's mother, as Ash tells her about Serena teaching him to ride a Rhyhorn. Embarrassed, Serena tells her mother that she will be traveling with Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie, which her mother agrees to be a wonderful experience for her. Later, Serena gives Ash a pouch containing the cookies that she made earlier, which she says is a thank-you gift for what happened when they were younger. She also gives cookies to Clemont and Bonnie.