TW: Death
Serena was born in the Galar Region by a famous Rhyhorn racer and a Galarian Pokémon trainer. For much of her early life, she was in a loving home, learning about the world and making friends from humans and Pokémon alike. She got into the arts, but also had a particular fascination with Pokémon training like her father. However, the parents never had the intention to have her start her journey in the home region. Instead, as Serena grew older and was coming of age, her parents decided that it would be better for her to start a Pokémon journey in the Kalos region due to the different opportunities there. So, Serena’s mother, Grace, retired from Rhyhorn racing and moved out to Vaniville Town in the Kalos region.
In the Kalos region, Serena started her Pokémon journey and befriended several friends in her neighborhood: the shy Trevor, the eager Tierno, the curious Shauna, and the ambitious Calem. The five of them quickly became fast and close friends. The five of them would interact often, each having their own unique dynamic with Serena. With Tierno, Serena exchanged dance moves and music with each other. With Trevor, Serean would discuss the various Pokémon they each had caught and the various behaviors even within the same species. With Shauna, Serena shared deep and fond memories, confiding in Shauna of her deeper thoughts.
…and then, there was Calem. Calem and Serena shared a battle rivalry, but they were so much more. The two trainers were in love with each other, though neither of them admitted it for some time. Throughout their journey, the two would find some excuse to find each other and either hang out or battle. Serena would always win the battles, but Calem always kept in step with her. Throughout collecting the badges of the region and even after Serena became champion, the two would always find time in their schedule to battle or talk with each other… assuming they’re not with the rest of the group together, anyway.
However, there was one issue that was in the way of everything: Team Flare. During the group’s Pokémon Journey, Serena and the rest of the group worked separately to foil various miscellaneous attempts to steal Pokémon, power, and Pokéballs; however, when Lysandre announced his intentions to use the power of Xerneas to relaunch the Ultimate Weapon, the band of friends gathered together and breached Team Flare Secret HQ to put an end to the evil team. Each of them worked hard, and, in the end, not only was Serena able to save and catch Xerneas, but she was also able to defeat the likes of Lysandre. Desperate and distraught, Lysandre launched the Ultimate Weapon to land in the HQ, hoping to catch the friends in the blast and cursing them with immortality. The group fled the scene to avoid the blast, but Serena tripped and fell, falling much behind her peers. Initially, she urged everyone to just keep running and that she’ll catch up, but Shauna turned around to help her. The blast crashed on the Secret Headquarters, destroying it, and the two friends only managed to escape the debris with Xerneas’ help.
Nonetheless, Serena still went on to become Champion of the region and even assisted Looker of the International Police with some cases related to Team Flare. Meanwhile, at home, the quintet returned to constantly hanging out with each other, especially Serena and Calem. The two neighbors never explicitly confessed their love to each other, but it was obvious to everyone around them of the likely trajectory of their relationship.
However, there was one thing that Calem was insecure about that led to disaster. Calem lamented about his losing streak against Serena and her affinity with Xerneas. He believed that he would be unworthy of her due to his lack of skill. So, eventually, whenever he wasn’t with Serena or his friends and family, Calem and his Pokémon worked extremely hard, but also researched the other Legendary Pokémon of the region. He sought an audience and a battle with Zygarde, but after Zygarde defeated him, the dragon let him go. However, when researching and eventually finding Yveltal, the dynamic would be much different. Calem and Yveltal got along quickly and Yveltal did wish to eventually partner with him, but Yveltal could not control its power. Slowly during their meetings, Yveltal would drain Calem’s life without either of them realizing until it was far too late. During their final meeting, Calem suddenly felt weak, fell to the ground, and fainted. He would never get up again.
It was Xerneas that told Serena and the friends the news of Calem’s death. Serena was devastated. She broke down crying and fell into a deep depression. Over time, she and the group slowly distanced themselves after Calem’s death. In addition, to rid herself of more pain, Serena resigned from her role as Kalos Champion, released Xerenas, took in some of Calem’s Pokémon, and stayed in Vaniville Town with her mother, where she remained for over a year.
Eventually, Serena grew worried about her mother. She noticed that Grace had been worried about some bills and wished to help. Because of this, Serena took up a part-time job as a waitress at Restaurant Le Wow, where she started interacting with more people, and eventually made friends during her off time such as Leaf, Hilda, Kathy, and Zinnia. The new friend group gave her comfort and another sense of perspective on her life.
Then, Serena encountered Zygarde itself. Serena was summoned to Terminus Cave by Zygarde and descended. There, the human and Legendary Pokémon talked – about their lives, their trauma, their challenges – and eventually agreed to work together and get therapy for each of them.
Serena has been improving since joining forces with Zygarde. Serena challenged the Elite Four again and became champion again. She grew closer with her Protagonist friends. She even reconnected with and brought back her old friend group. Serena has been slowly finding herself again. She now works hard to become the Serena that Calem saw in her once more and to protect this region and this world in her own way.