AN: Please enjoy the chapter,

Ch 5 The Missing Pokemon

Helena was greeted by a cute atmosphere, small Pokemon playing with each other. She smiles, walking inside the daycare. "So cute," She squeals seeing a brown puppy-like Pokemon tumbling over with another one with big ears and a round tail.

"What is this place?" Helena looks back at the Headmaster.

Keith walks behind her, smiling at the Pokemon. "This place is where we take care of Pokemon either from the Hoenn Region or other Regions that were abandoned or were smuggled by smugglers that will get a price for these poor Pokemon." He looks down at a Shinx smiling at him.

Helena watches as the Headmaster kneels to pet the Electric Pokemon. "If you don't mind, how did you find them," She jumps, seeing a Tepig snuggling up to her. "Oh, hello there little one."

"Tepig!" The Fire-type Pokemon snorts happily to be petted by the former Witch. The Starter Pokemon jumps off of Helena before running off to join the others in playing in the middle.

Helena watches as they toss the ball over to her, she grabs the ball and held it in her hands. She looks at the Pokemon urging her to toss it back.

"Oh, here you go." Helena toss the ball over to the Pokemon; they cheered and continued to play with the ball. Suddenly blue slip-on shoes step in front of the former Witch.

Helena looks up and saw the Teal haired boy smiling at her. "Well, I didn't expect you to be in the daycare this soon," Wallace greeted the new trainer.

"Wallace!" Helena got up from the floor, facing the young trainer. She looks at the Pokemon in his hands. A pink head with little feet and blue arm hair appendaged and a pink polka-dotted hat. "What are you doing in the daycare? I thought you were watching Brawly's battle."

Wallace chuckles, "Oh, I was meant to go but I have volunteer work to do in the daycare." He looks down at Hatenna in his arms. "This Hatenna is new to the daycare and we have little hands helping this time of day."

Hatenna tilts her little head at Helena, feeling comfortable in her presence. "What a cute Pokemon, Hatenna. I get it, the little antenna on her head looks like a hat." Helena smiles before looking at Keith standing beside her.

"Hatenna is rare in Hoenn, only found in the Galar Region." The Headmaster explains to the new trainer. "She was smuggled here by poachers along with a few Pokemon from Galar. That is until Officer Jenny and I got intel of their little operations." He smiles.

Helena frowns that some would harm these cute and adorable creatures. But she was glad that some would step in and help Pokemon in need. "I see," She looks at the Calm Pokemon. "You're far from home, aren't you?"

The Psychic-type nodded, letting the new trainer pet her. "Don't worry, I'm sure you will like it here." Helena smiles at the Pokemon from another land.

Hatenna chirps happily in the presence of the former Witch. Wallace chuckles, carefully holding the Galar Pokemon as she flails in his arms. "Woah, careful little one; you don't want to fall now." Wallace chuckles, he looks at Helena who seems Hatenna took a liking to.

"It seems that Hatenna took a liking too." Wallace smiles at the young trainer.

"You think so?" Helena asked.

Keith looks down at Helena, "Yes, but unfortunately this Hatenna is still an infant. So it'll take some time to fully train her to proper strength." He informed his new student.

Wallace smiles, walking forward to Helena. "You know, we can always need some help here at the daycare." He stated, "You can help out here by taking care of the Pokemon if you want,"

"Now, Wallace. Helena is just getting started as a trainer," Keith stated, as he looks at the former Witch. "Helena, I brought you here to find a Partner Pokemon for you to learn with while here."

Keith walks over to the pen where Wallace was in, pointing to the pink sign. "This sign indicates that the Pokemon is still an infant or is injured," He flips it over, revealing a lime green color. "And this means that the Pokemon is ready and fully recovered. They are healthy and at the optimal level to be trained by student trainers."

Wallace nodded, "Yes, most of the Pokemon here are at their second stage of evolution but they are at the training level." He added, stepping to the side for Helena to check the daycare. "Go on, have a look around, and don't worry. If you don't know who to pick the Pokemon will choose." He explains.

Helena nodded, fisting her hands. "Okay, I got this." She walks forward, looking at the many selections of Pokemon.

The former Witch looks around at the variety of Pokemon gathered in the daycare. Each one is unique both in appearance and personality. At least two other students were caring for the Pokemon in their pens.

"Take your time, Helena. There's no rush." Keith smiles, informing the young trainer.

Her emerald eyes looked around, observing the Pokemon. 'There's so many to choose from. How can I pick just one…' Helena places her hand on her chin, then her eyes caught the backdoor open and a gate in one of the pens. "Huh?" She walks over to the empty pen.

"Is there a Pokemon in that pen that caught your interest, Helena?" Keith asked the black-haired girl.

"No there isn't." Keith and Wallace looked at each other, confused by her Words.

Wallace walks over to Helena, curious about what she meant. "What do you mean?" He asked, stepping next to him. His eyes widen at the empty pen he's familiar with. "This pen is-"

Helena looks at Wallace turning to the Headmaster. "Headmaster Keith, she got out again!" The teal-haired boy informed the Headmaster.

The two trainers that were there in the daycare stepped out of the pens they were in. Keith sighs, looking at the two students of his. "You two, go with Wallace and search for her?"

"Yes Headmaster," The two responded before closing the gate they were in. They left the daycare in search of the missing Pokemon.

Helena walks over to the back door, shutting it for the people here. "Helena," She turns to Wallace, handing her Hatenna. "Please take Hatenna, I need to look for the missing Pokemon along with the others."

Hatenna chirps, jumping in Helena's arms. "Oh!" Helena steps a bit forward, catching the Calm Pokemon in her hands. "A-Are you sure? I'm still new at this."

"Don't worry, I'm sure you can handle the Pokemon here." The teal-haired man has placed his trust in his new friend, "We'll be back as soon we find the Pokemon."

Wallace turns around and is rushed out of the daycare.

"W-Wait, Wallace!" Helena looks at the Headmaster who was about to leave her too. "Headmaster?" She looks at Keith for his help.

Keith gave an old man smile, waving back at the new trainer. "I have to inform my faculty of the missing Pokemon loose in the school." He smiles, walking out of the daycare.

The black-haired girl blinks, now standing alone in the daycare. "Now I'm alone…" She chuckles to herself. Suddenly Helena hears the Pokemon cry to play with them. "Oh, um what do you guys-"

Hatenna cries, jumping off from Helena's arms. "Woah, careful Hatenna!" Helena cried. She watches as the Psychic-type dashes over to a ball. She pushes over to the other Pokemon gathering around Helena assisting her with communications.

The former Witch caught what the Pokemon was trying to say. "I see now," Helena kneels to the floor, catching the rolling ball. "You guys want me to play with you."

They all nodded, confirming what she was true. "Alright then," She tosses the ball as the Pokemon ran after it.

Steven closes a book on Rock, Ground, and Steel-type Pokemon in another part of the school. He smiles, having a pleasant time reading the book. It was his free time today, already attended his classes for today. His ears then picked up a few instructors speaking behind some shelves.

"(Have you heard? Headmaster Keith has asked everyone to have an eye out for a Pokemon who found a way out of the daycare.)" An instructor informed her coworker of the news.

The other instructor nodded, "(Well, we better have a keen eye on the school. Who knows where that Pokemon might've gone.)" He stated, both returning to work while keeping an eye out for the Pokemon.

'A Pokemon got out of the daycare?' Steven ponders to himself. He sighs and closes his book, standing up, returning the book back to the shelf. After that small task, the Steel-blue hair trainer walks out of the library and into the halls.

Steven looks at the time, seeing that classes are about to end. "Mmm, I guess I have some time before the halls are flooded." Worried about the lost Pokemon, the trainer heads out to find it.

Looking in empty classrooms or halls, Steven knows that if the Pokemon got out of the daycare it will find an empty room to hide in.

Steven traveled around the school, peering inside empty classrooms and looming in empty halls. Still, there are no signs of the lost Pokemon,

The young trainer paused, thinking about what elsewhere a Pokemon would hide. "Now if I was a Pokemon, where could I go if I wanted to leave the daycare…" Steven thought out loud, thinking of all possible answers.

Taillows flew past the window he was at. Steven blinks, having a thought of where to look now. "Ah, outside maybe?" Steven smiles, walking to find the nearest exit.

After making his way through the second floor of the Trainer School and then the first floor. Steven was now outside, hands in his pockets and enjoying the fresh air while keeping an eye out for the lost Pokemon.

The young Steel-blue hair trainer was near the daycare from the outside. How can he tell? Well, the sign 'Pokemon Daycare' is written at the front or back door.

Curiosity got the better of him and wandered to the windows. Luckily the window of the Daycare was opened a bit, letting him see inside.

Steven's blue eyes look inside the room, he could hear the cries of cheerful Pokemon inside playing. "Well look at that, the Pokemon seems to be having fun." He commented. He then saw that one is missing, which confirms the missing Pokemon. "So it was her that got out."

Steven sighs knowing the story of that Pokemon who got out. "Wait, don't do that." His eyes widen, hearing a soft voice coming inside the Daycare. Turning his head back inside he saw her kneeling with the Pokemon.

"Alright, if you two don't stop fighting over the toy I have no choice but to take it away." Helena scolded the two Pokemon, both a Taillow and a Mareep standing before her.

Both pouts as Taillow handed the toy over to the Electric-type.

Helena giggles, seeing the two getting along. "There, isn't sharing the best?" She asked the two.

"Taillow,"

"Mareep,"

The two smirk before going off someplace in the daycare to play together.

Helena smiles, looking over at the little Psychic-type next to her. "Who knew taking care of Pokemon by yourself would be so much fun, right Hatenna?" She asked Hatenna sitting next to her.

Hatenna chirps, having fun as well in helping the former Witch.

Steven smiles softly, hearing Helena giggles at the fun she's having. He then shook his head, now realizing he was staring at her like some stalker. 'What am I doing? I'm staring at her like some creep, ugh. I better get out of here before she notices.' He thoughts, leaving the window.

Suddenly some rustles echo in the small yard, putting the young trainer on his toes.

Steven turns around, carefully listening for the rustles. "Who's there? Are you the lost Pokemon from the daycare?" He asked, trying to pinpoint where the Pokemon was.

There was silence for a moment causing Steven to touch his Pokeballs on his belt. Taking the one with his trusted partner he tossed it in the air. "Beldum, help me out here,"

Beldum came out of the Pokeball, floating in front of the trainer. "Beldum," He cries.

"Keep a heads up, my friend. That Pokemon might be around here," Steven informed his partner Pokemon of the situation.

"Beldum," The Iron Ball Pokemon nodded, looking around the area.

Steven looks around the area with Beldum, then she spots a bush rustling near the trees. "Beldum there!" He points his finger at the bush.

Beldum rushed at the bush, crashing into the greenery. Suddenly both the missing Pokemon and The Steel-type jump out of the bushes.

"Kirlia!" A green-haired humanoid Pokemon sent black balls at Beldum,

"Beldum! Iron Defense now!" Steven orders his Pokemon to defend himself.

"Beldum!" The Duel-type's body turned into more metallic material, defending himself from the Ghost-type move.

An explosion happened when the Shadow Ball hit the Pokemon.

Steven covered his eyes, peering just above his eyes. He smirks, seeing that Beldum was still standing. "You okay Beldum?" He asked his partner.

Beldum shook off the remaining dust, his eye glared back at his opponent. "Dum, Beldum!"

"Great, now…" Steven looks at Kirlia who seems tired and weak before them. He stops, seeing the Duel-type huffing and gasping. 'She doesn't look well, she looks like she was poisoned. Did she encounter a Poison-type Pokemon!?'

"K-Kirlia…" Kirlia growls, glaring at Steven and his Beldum.

"Beldum, stand down," Steven asked his partner who was hesitant.

"Bel, Beldum!" Beldum tried to reason with his partner, only for him to walk past him.

Steven smiles, ensuring the Duel-type that everything is fine. "Don't worry, I'll be safe." He gently walks over to the injured Pokemon. "Hey Kirlia, I know you're injured. Don't worry, I'm a nice person." He offers his hand to the Psychic-type.

Kirlia growls, not trusting the Human not at all. The Emotion Pokemon steps back, ready to attack at any given notice.

Steven gently kneels, still offering his hand. "Hey, hey, don't worry. I won't hurt you; just going to heal you-"

Suddenly the door behind Steven opened, entering a familiar face. "I think that explosion came from here, Hatenna," Helena spoke, stepping outside the daycare.

Steven and Beldum turn swiftly at the black-haired girl. "Helena! Get back!" The Steel-blue haired boy shouted.

"Kirlia!" Kirlia didn't react well to another strange Human entering the scene. She raises her hands, activating one of her moves. A small moon appear above the Duel-type and released a beam of pinkish-white light at Helena.

"Wha-" Helena was frozen, seeing the attack hurling straight for her, despite having Hatenna urging her to move.

"HELENA!" Steven tackles the former Witch to the ground, evading the attack.

Both trainers were on the floor, the attack impacted the floor causing the Pokemon within to flee into the school.

Beldum and Hatenna jump forward, defending the trainers from the scarred Kirlia.

"K-Kirlia-" Kirlia stops hearing trainers coming from behind.

"Hey, what's going on here!?" Flannery and a few others students heard the explosion within the school.

Kirlia looks back and forth at the trainers before using her other move, Teleport.

Flannery held her hands out, trying to stop Kirlia. "Hey stop!" She lowers it, seeing that Kirlia. "Kirlia's gone, huh?" She turns around to the Headmaster coming into the scene.

"I see, so Kirlia was nearby all this time." Keith sighs, feeling terrible for not seeing her earlier.

"Headmaster," Flannery said, she shook her head and looks at her friends near the daycare's backdoor. (Insert Akagami no Shirayukihime OST - CD 1 - 7 - Reconciliation: The Beginning of Two People)

Steven groans, pushing up from the ground. He opens his blue eyes at Helena who was below him. "Helena, are you alright?" He asked the former Witch.

Helena held her hands together, her eyes met with the boy who saved her life. "U-Uh, yeah. I guess I am." She confirms that she's not injured in any way.

"That's a relief, I was worried that I was too late," Steven admits, still looming over her body protectively.

The black-haired girl's face turned red, and her emerald eyes shifted to the left. "S-Steven." Helena looks away from him. "Um…"

Steven blinks, looking confused by her strange facial expression. "Helena? What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" He asked, concerned for her well-being.

"I-I told you I didn't hurt myself, but…um…" Helenna cleared her throat, her eyes motioning to his body.

Steven was still confused by her gesture until he saw both his hands pinning her on the floor. His blue eyes widen, his cheeks flushed red at the realization of their position.

"I-I'm sorry!" The young trainer got off of the former Witch. He stumbles back, his knees folded under him. "I-I didn't m-mean to place u-us- I mean you in a pos-"

Helena sat up quickly, her face still red as a tomato berry. She held out her hands at him, "N-No! It was a t-totally necessary action to save me!" She retorted back. "Y-You don't have anything to say sorry for S-Steven!" She stammers.

Both trainers paused before looking away at each other's faces.

"Beldum," The Iron Ball Pokemon sighs at his partner's foolishness.

Hatenna sighs, agreeing with the Steel-type.

Flannery scoffs, a grin spread across her face upon seeing her friends at the moment. Rather not being the one to interrupt the small moment in a rude way, she decided to see how things will play out. "I guess we need to look for Kirlia, right Headmaster?" She looks at the old man.

Keith nodded, smiling at something that make him happy. "Indeed but give them some time. I'm planning to give this mini-quest to you and your friends, Flannery." He turns around, walking back to his office. "Come meet me in the office when things are settled here."

"Right,"

Helena looks at Steven, he was still blushing at their position early. She was grateful for his help, but…her heart was pounding never experienced that before. Her emerald eyes looked over to Steven who assembling is sharing the same feeling like her.

Her eyes saw the red on Steven's cheeks, still embarrassed by what he did.

'Nice going Steven, I can't believe I just did that to a girl.' Steven moved his hand over his chest, feeling like his heart could burst out at any second. 'First that encounter in Petalburg Forest and now this…'

"S-Steven?"

The Steel-blue haired boy turns to face Helena, hearing her call his name. "Y-Yes, H-Helena?" He cleared his throat.

Helena looks down, her mouth hangs open trying to say what she wants to say. "T-Thank you," She cleared her throat. "For saving me back there,"

Steven nods, accepting her gratitude humbly. "Y-You're welcome." He got up from the floor, offering her his hand. "H-Here, l-let me help you up."

"Thanks," Helena grabs his hand, being pulled to her feet.

"O-Oh, Helena your clothes." Steven saw that her old school uniform has a tear on her shoulder. "The shoulder has a tear on it." He points out the damage.

Helena looks at her shoulders, seeing the tear he was talking about. "Don't worry, this was getting old anyway." She ensures that it's fine, "I was meaning to find clothes fitting for the Trainer School anyways at some point."

Steven nodded, "As long it's okay- with you, of course." He coughs.

"Y-Yeah, um do you know any place to get better clothes?" Helena asked, pushing aside her hair from her cheeks.

"I do," Steven and Helena turns to the red-haired girl, crossing her hands while watching the two interact.

"F-Flannery! How long were you standing there!?" Steven blushed, suspecting she saw everything that went down.

Flannery grins, "Long enough, blue boy. Also, I'm not the only one." She points to the two other students smiling at them with her thumb.

Steven stammers, frozen with embarrassment as his Beldum floats next to him and tries to snap him out of it.

Helena dusted off the dust she got on her when she was tackled by Steven. "Hey Helena," She looks up at Flannery, motioning for her to come over.

"Yes, Flannery?" Helena asked.

"There's a clothing shop near the school that got what you are looking for," Flannery stated, ushering her to come with her. "I can show you the way."

The former Witch nodded, "Sure, I appreciate it." Helena walks past Steven, smiling at him. "I-I'll see you later, Steven." Helena walks over to Flannery, following her past the two trainers.

"Oh, and Steven." The Steel-blue haired trainer snaps out of his daze, looking at the fiery girl. "Headmaster Keith wants us six to go meet him in his office, we'll join you when I get Helena here some new clothes."

"A-Alright," Steven watches the two females leave him alone in front of the daycare.

"Beldum?" Beldum floats next to Steven, curious why he's still a bit dazed.

Hatenna chirps, hopping on her feet while looking at the trainer.

"I-I guess I should go and get ready then…" Steven chuckles, walking inside the daycare while holding his chest. (End song)

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review, I appreciate it.