Disclaimer: I wish I was talented and creative enough to have made Hey Arnold, but alas, I am not.

A/N: So sorry for the long wait! I have been very busy with graduating and preparing for college that I haven't had time to work on this. I finally graduated high school Tuesday and it was torture in that hot gym. But, now it's over! However, I am starting college on Sunday so my life will be busy. I will try my absolute hardest to work on this story when I can. I am so happy that so many people like it and have been waiting patiently for me. Thank you and ENJOY!


The sound of stomping resonated through the jungle. The aura surrounding the area was menacing to say the least. All the small animals coward in their homes and steered clear of the most fearsome creature they've ever encountered.

A tan young boy bravely dared to guide the creature, bound in a foreign color and gracing the darkest scowl upon its face. The boy had always been taught to be wary of the female gender of all creatures for they are said to be the most dangerous. This beast was far more intimidating than he had ever imagined.

Lucas glanced at the creature beside him worriedly. She was covered in mud, clothes torn in various areas, twig and dirt embedded into her matted mane. Bravely, Lucas decided to gently prod the beast in hope to gain her attention. She whipped around, baring her teeth.

"What?" She huffed darkly. Her blue eyes seemed almost red with frustration.

"Well...uh..." He didn't know how to put this. Helga seemed to be the most unlucky person Lucas had ever met. Throughout their journey to his tribe, she'd been chased by monkeys, attacked by birds, and swarmed by bugs. She had been so angry after all that happened to her and not a single thing occurred to him. In his defense, he had warned her against taking that banana and messing with that bush that was nesting millions of flying insects. Now the bird thing...that was indeed a mystery. He had never seen a bird attack anyone like that before.

"I really don't have the patience right now for you to be hesitant, so if you have something to say I suggest you say it before I choke the words out of you!"

"Well, you see, the thing is you are kind of...standing in quick sand." Helga's face visibly paled when she now found herself looking at the chest of the boy that used to be eye level with her.

Lucas quickly noticed the slight lines of panic cross her face and her breath became rigged.

"H-hold on Helga. Don't panic." He said firmly, gesturing with his hands. She nodded shakily.

"J-just...look at me." He stated with resole. Helga hesitantly brought her eyes to his, getting swallowed up by the emerald green. The moment she did though, she no longer saw the tan boy she was with. She saw Arnold. He was there, doing whatever it is he could to make sure she was as calm and safe as possible. Those eyes held honestly and fear but there was one thing they didn't hold. And that was faith. That damn, naïve faith in the world that Arnold could never seem to shake off. Arnold was as innocent as innocent could get when it came to a 9 year old, and this boy in front of her could never be that. Lucas's eyes showed he knew what it was like to struggle, to be afraid, they had strength and this strength is what allowed Helga to believe she would get out of this situation alive and not the pure chance of faith that Arnold held. That faith is what she loved so greatly about Arnold. But faith could never save a man from their fate. Action and strength could. So for this moment Helga chose to let go of Arnold and see Lucas for what he is...strength.

Helga reached, fragilely, with a shaking arm toward Lucas. Her hand was just a hair away until finally... He grasp her wrist firmly and pulled her into his embrace, successfully pulling her feet free of the sand, leaving nothing but her shoes to sink into the bubbling liquid. They fell to the ground holding tight to each other. Helga was gasping for each panicked breath as Lucas lied there motionless. Never had he felt so afraid of losing something in this god forsaken jungle. He had lost many people but for some reason he just could not bear the thought of losing this girl he had just met. Why was she so different? Why did she feel so important to him? He had only known her no more than a day! What could possibly be going on with him?

Coming out of his reverie and deciding that he no longer cared. Lucas held her tightly, nuzzling his nose into her soft blonde locks with petting her comfortingly. "It's okay." He whispered. "I will never let anything happen to you" as soon as the words left him mouth, Helga choked and pushed him away. She had heard the same line over and over throughout her 'trip' in San Lorenzo by no other than Arnold the freakin' saint himself. She could count how many times he had said that he would protect her and at one point she had actually believed the blonde haired angel. But that belief had left her with the plane that left her here with nothing but the memory of the warmth of his lips.

Helga promptly brushed herself off from any sand on her shorts, avoiding all eye contact with Lucas. "Whatever", she spoke in a low voice.

"Let's just go." She continued down the path, leaving Lucas to pick himself off the ground and follow the girl with confusion.

"Helga..." He spoke out warily. She didn't respond, and kept on her path.

"Are you alright?"

"Peachy" she replied in aggravation.

"Are you su-?"

"Don't you dare ask me if 'I'm sure!'" She glared at him. "If Helga Geraldine fucking Pataki says she if fine, then the last thing she needs is some scrawny little punk pestering me about my life, got it!" Lucas was silent. The only thing heard was the sound of her panting seething through the jungle.

"Got it."

"Good. Now which way?"

Lucas pointed toward the bushes off the path. "That way", he answered and started in that direction.

Helga looked at him with disbelieve. "That way? Excuse me! I don't know if you noticed but that way goes off the path."

"Mmhm and?"

"And? And it's dangerous? And it crazy? And it getting dark out? And who in god's name knows what could be lurking on the jungle floor!?" She stated exasperatedly.

"Don't worry. I'm here to guide you. Just like I said. I won't let anything happen to you, not while I'm around, that is." Lucas made his way around her back and started pushing her in the direction he had pointed. "Besides this way is the shortest and just like you said..." He brought his voice low to her ear, "who knows what could be lurking around the jungle floor at night."

Helga froze for just a moment before spinning around so she was pushing Lucas's back instead. "Lead the way maestro!"


It was day break and the two ten year olds had just emerged from a restless night in the jungle. Lucas put his arms I his knees to catch his breath before announcing, "We... Finally... Made it!" He fell on his back in exhaustion. Helga had refused to let them stop and rest the entire night insisting she could walk all night and she had for the most part... Except for the measly hour which she convinced him to carry her to prove he was indeed strong enough to do so. He quickly caught on to how dangerous and cunning this girl truly was. She was certainly wasn't someone you should be messing with.

Helga stopped to gaze upon where exactly was this "here" he spoke of and her jaw nearly broken in awe.

"Criminy..." She whispered. Lucas quirked an eye at her without any attempt at getting up. "You have got to be kidding me- no- you BETTER be kidding me!" She yelled walking over to Lucas and yanking him up by his makeshift shirt. "You're telling me that we walked mile after mile through death itself to find this village, sanctuary- whatever! Only for it to be a just a carved up ROCK!" She dropped him. "Though I must say, it is a pretty impressive rock." She shook her head. "Great! Just great! I knew I should have trusted you!"

Helga paced back and forth, failing to notice Lucas get up, rub his head and mumble begrudgingly to himself as he stumbled up to the stone.

"I should have just stayed put! I mean- I had everything going for me! Shelter, food, water... Okay maybe not the last two. But I had SHELTER! At least I could say that! That's more than you could say! Hey! Are you even listening to... me?" Helga's words died in her throat as the stone shook and broke into reformed into an elegant stone passageway leading underground.

"You were saying" Lucas asked, amused by the utter amazement shown on the blinds face. "Come on! We're almost in!" He grabbed her lifeless arm and began pulling her down the passage. Once they were settled inside, Lucas pulled on a wooden lever on the damp cavern wall. Helga heard the unmistakable sound of stone scraping against each other, and soon the passage was sealed tight. Helga had expected to see nothing but blackness after the entrance closed, but to her amazement the underground cavern was illuminated in a charming green light. Lucas saw the green light dance in the reflection of her eyes and chuckled at how childlike she looked.

"They're stones" he answered her unasked question. "She looked at him in confusion, silently asking for him to explain. "The light. It comes from these stones." He pointed out, gesturing his arms out to the green illuminating stones that were built in to the walls of the cavern. She follow her gaze around the room as they walked.

"They're amazing. We have nothing like this back in Hillwood."

"Well, they are not so popular around here either. They are very rare, we have found very few that are actually natural. Some of our aides were able to make ones similar to the ones we have found but we could never get them to be as bright and they don't last nearly as long."

"It's still amazing" Helga responded, still taking in the atmosphere around her.

"Yeah, it is." He agreed taking her hand in his once more. "Watch your step."

Before Helga knew it, the cave was no longer being lit by the mystical green light but instead but the white glow of daylight. She squinted her eyes in order to get adjusted to the much brighter light.

Once again, her breath was taken from her for the third time that day.

All around her there were people all tan with the most beautiful green eyes. Children were playing, some boys were wrestling, some were gardening, others were laughing, and everyone was smiling. The buildings were made with incredible golden yellow stones that almost glistened in the sunlight. Vines and shrubs grew up the sides of each building, outlining each structure. In the middle of the civilization, stood a tall golden statue in the shape of an eye. It seemed as though these people worshiped this eye. Not one person passed by the statue without bowing their heads and muttering a prayer in what Helga assumed was Spanish.

'Whoa...I can't believe I was in the jungle this whole time, and never even knew that I was standing above something so incredible!'

"So...what do you think?" Lucas asked.

"Not bad jungle boy...not bad at all." Helga nodded in a daze.

"I'm glad you think so. This is my home."

"So you've lived here your entire life? What I wouldn't give to spend a lifetime here." Helga wasn't much of a nature person, but that didn't mean she didn't appreciate it for what it was. So free and beautiful. Everything about this place was so calm and magical, while back in the city everything moves so fast that you feel you have to skits quickly and keep moving or society is going to leave you behind only to get lost in the chaos of the rush. "So, jungle boy? You got a family around here, or what?"

"Um, well actually, there is someone I want to introduce you to."

"Geez, I've already known you for a day and I'm meeting your parents. I mean at least take me to dinner first."

Helga laughed. The boy stared at her in confusion. "These are the jokes, kid." Helga responded dryly. Lucas just blinked. "Alrighty then. Let's get this show on the road. Lead the way, jungle boy."

At that, Lucas smiled enthusiastically. He didn't know why the thought of this girl meeting the man who raised him made him so incredibly happy, yet anxious. Without a second thought, the green eyed boy firmly took hold of Helga's hand and pulled her with him in the direction of one of the larger huts in the village.

Once the two children arrived at the hut, Lucas stopped causing Helga to lose her balance and crash, face first, into the ground. "Oww..." The blonde girl groaned. "Criminy! At least warn me before you stop!" She bellowed as she sat up on her knees, rubbing her head.

Lucas immediately went to help her stand, muttering an awkward apology. "Lo siento, I am sorry, I just need you to wait out here for a moment while I go inside."

"Why do you need to go inside first?" Helga asked raising her eye brow at the strange request. After all, he had seemed so excited for her to meet his family, now all of a sudden he's hesitant?

"It's complicated." He said but stopped himself when he noticed Helga glare at him as if to say 'you are not about to give me that excuse, right?' The boy sighed, dropping his head in defeat. "Okay. The thing is...you are not exactly allowed to be here." He began slowly. When he saw no outward reaction from her he continued. "The green eyed people have been a hidden civilization for centuries. That is how we have remained so strong throughout the years. No one knows where the village is. No one has ever seen any of our people and most of all...No one has ever been shown the village of the green eyes, that is...until now." Lucas began playing timidly with his fingers, suddenly finding them extremely interesting. "This kind of thing has never happened before, so I'm not entirely sure how everyone will react." The boy dropped his hands and look up at Helga expectantly.

"Okay... So let me get this straight here. You are a lost civilization who has never had any direct contact to anybody outside of said civilization...and now, out of nowhere...you...decide to bring me, some kid you don't know, into your hidden village without fully knowing how your people will react to this? Did I get all that right?" She asked calmly, trying to process all the information she had just received.

Lucas nodded. "Basically..."

"Alrighty then, I'm out!" Helga briskly turned on here heel and started back in the direction which they came. "It was nice meeting ya, kid." She waved behind her, not taking the time to actually look at him.

"Helga wait!" Lucas yelled after her. Before grabbing her fist and turning her around. "I know this doesn't look good at the moment, but trust me. My people are very understanding and helpful. I know they will love you." He looked straight into her doubtful blue eyes and spoke in the most sincere tone he could muster. "Just let me speak to the chief, okay?"

"Fine" she breathed. 'How do I always get caught in these kinds of messes?' She thought tiredly.

"Thank you" he spoke, gratefully.


Lucas took one final breath before entering the hut. 'Well here goes nothing'. When he brushed open the curtain door, his eyes fell on a large tan man sitting on a stone chair. He had dark shoulder-length hair that was cut evenly along his neck and wore golden beads that hung dutifully. He was smoking a pipe but as soon as he laid eyes on the boy at his door, he smiled and put it down on the table at his side.

"Lucas!" His voice was deep but kind. The sound made a homey warmth fill Lucas's chest. He was incredibly grateful to this man. He had raised him and protected him for so many years as if he was truly his real father. The thought made Lucas smile in delight as he ran childishly up to the man and jumped on his lap, growing his arms around the chief's thick neck. The chief laughed gruffly. "Dónde has estado, mi hijo? Where have you been? I was beginning to get worried when you did not return home last night."

"Lo siento, papa. I hate to see you worry for nothing but there is something I must ask of you." Lucas broke eye contact the man as he twiddled his thumbs nervously. The chief quirked an eyebrow at the child's odd behavior but was far too curious to sit there questioning it inside his head. It wasn't often that Lucas would ask a favor of him.

"Anything, mi hijo."

"Well, the thing is papa. While on my voyage outside...I found this girl..."

"Was she injured?" The chief asked, worry suddenly filling his voice.

"No. Not exactly."

"Did she seem dangerous?"

Lucas's eyes widened. "Absolutely not!"

The chief looked confused for a moment before a thought struck him. A sly smile grew as he asked, "Was she pretty?"

Lucas froze, a blush spreading across his face until he was bright red. "Uh...she certainly looked...different. "He sighed, feeling he was getting nowhere anytime soon and that he should probably just jump right in before Helga got nervous and left. "Okay so. There was this girl sitting on the ground about my age and I thought she was strange because her hair was yellow. She obviously had no skills of survival and I was worried that she would die if I left her there so I broke out most sacred law and revealed myself. I know it was wrong but she was all alone and had nothing so I brought her here and now she is standing outside this hit waiting for me and I have no idea what to do!" Lucas was panting. He had said that so fast without taking a breath in fear that the chief would be angry with him.

"Okay mi hijo. If you trust her, then so do I." The chief spoke, gently lifting the boy off his lap so he could stand up.

"R-really?" Lucas asked in disbelief.

"Truly. Now let's meet this beauty of yours." He smiled and winked at the boy before going to the door. He opened it and his widened at the sight of the girl pacing and muttering to herself. 'Locks of gold, and eyes of Sky' he thought.

"Pardon me, miss." Helga jumped at the sudden acknowledgement and looked towards the man.

"H-hi." She waved shyly. "I am so sorry for having trespassed in your lovely home. If I had known, I would have never agreed to come with Lucas. I promise I'll never tell a soul about this place as long as I live and I'll leave you in peace, just don't be mad at Lucas for my ignorance." She bellowed passionately, bowing her back as if she were trying to imitate a table.

The chief chuckled at the noble display in front of him. "Do not worry, my dear, and come in." The man brought his large had to her back and guided the guilty looking girl into the hut.

The man sat himself down in the chair he had been sitting in earlier. "So tell me about your story"

Helga took a set on the floor next to Lucas and began telling her story of how she got there. She told him about La Sambra and la Corazon, which the chief was already well aware of. However, he found particular interest in the football-headed boy that caused this whole mess.

"Football-head?" Lucas asked, not sure what a football looked like and why that was strange.

"Yeah, football. You know...um, like that statue you have in the middle of your village."

"His head was shaped like our statue?" The chief chimed in, intrigued.

"Yeah, his name is Arnold. He was actually the reason I was here in the first place. You see, he lost his parents here. And being the naïve Mr. Brightside that he is, he believed with all his little heart that he would find them. Not without my help that is." Helga added that last apart proudly.

"His parents wouldn't happen to be Miles and Stella Shortman would it?" The chief asked.

"No way! You know them?!"

"Of course! They have been our savior for years."

"No kidding. I guess you can say the same for their son, Arnold. He has saved me more than he could ever know." Lucas frowned at her tone.

'She must really admire this guy.' He thought a little sullenly.

"But I guess that's all past now." She mumbled.

"Why is that?" The chief inquired.

"Well he's also part of the reason I'm stuck here. I guess I wasn't important enough to be remember because as soon as he got his parents back and he thanked me, he flew off back to Hillwood and didn't look back to see he had left me behind." She looked down at her clasped hands. In that moment, Lucas wanted nothing more than to bring her in his arms and never let go. "I don't know, he's probably much happier without me there to terrorize him every day of the week. I mean, criminy! I sure as heck would be."

"I am sure he's worried out of his mind right now, hija. But the question is, do you want to go back?"

Helga was thrown back by the question. 'Was he going to help me get home? Do I even want to go back? All I did there was bully people and obsess over Arnold twenty-four seven. Nobody cared whether I was there or not. At least here I could get a fresh start. I could throw away all the useless things I used to care about and start caring about things that really matter. Maybe I could even find a family with these people. And most of all, I could forget about that little football-headed twerp.'

"You would...let me stay...if I didn't want to go back?" She asked, hopefully.

"You are welcomed to stay for as long as you wish. It would be an honor to have you with us, Helga." The chief spoke with complete sincerity, not an ounce of irony in his tone. Lucas looked at her with hopeful eyes. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to his new friend so soon. Even if he said he just wanted to help her, he knew that wasn't the truth. He really wanted her to stay and, to his surprise, it looked as if the chief wanted her to as well.

"Then, if you'll have me, I would like to stay, if you're sure you don't mind, that is, chief."

The chief's grin grew wide across his face. "Then it is settled. You are staying with us. Welcome to the village of the green-eyed people." At that he scooped Helga up off the in a big hug. 'Criminy! You'd think he was related to Arnold!' The thought, struggling slightly in his tight embrace. He soon let go of her, dropping Helga gently to her feet. "And you can call me, Aitor"

"Okay, Aitor. Will everyone else be okay with this? From what I've heard, this doesn't exactly happen every day."

"Trust me. You will be treated no less than our goddess, Argi, herself. Like a gift left behind by the Gods." He finished.


A/N: So there it is. I now this kind of seems Helga/Lucas right now but trust me, this is entirely Arnold/Helga. I will never desert my ship! Next chapter will have Arnold in it, but it will be a while before they are together again. Just continue to be patient. This is going to get good.

Tell me what you think!