AN: Please enjoy the chapter.

Ch 3 Welcome to Rustboro City

(Insert Rustboro City: Remastered ► Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald)

"Oh wow!" Helena gasps at the shining metropolis, Pokemon were gathering and resting outside the City's wall. "This place is beautiful, it looks so clean and lively," She commented on the peaceful aura around the area.

Steven smiles, looking at the black-haired girl. "First time being to a City, Helena?" He asked her.

Helena turns to the Steel-blue hair boy, "Well I've seen Cities before but nothing like this before." She answered him. "To be honest the Cities that I'm familiar with aren't this clean or…"

"Peaceful? I get it, there are some Cities like that in some Regions but the Champions and Pokemon Leagues are doing their best to resolve the situation." Steven explains to the former Witch.

The black-haired girl blinks, a bit surprised that this Pokemon League assumed to be the government of this World is attempting to solve those urban areas. "That's interesting, so this Pokemon League is like the government who's in charge of the Regions?" Helena asked, following what Steven said.

Steven smiles, "Yeah, that's pretty much what it is. But there's more to it than you think." He explains.

"I expect nothing much," Helena said as they enter the City's gates. Her eyes looked around, noticing that people were with their Pokemon, either playing or working together.

Upon seeing them, she smiles at the kindness everyone is showing to their Pokemon. Something that's rare to see in her old home. "This City is nice and beautiful." Helena smiles,

Flannery jumps to her side, giving her a cheeky grin. "If you think Rustboro City is beautiful and nice, I suggest you visit my town, Lavaridge Town." She suggested to her new friend. "My family owns the Lavaridge Gym there and the Hot springs are to die for!"

"Lavaridge Town? Gym?" Helena blinks, she knows of gyms for working out in the Muggle World but hearing about a gym being owned by Flannery's family is strange. "Do you love to exercise, Flannery?" She asked.

The red-haired girl blinks, before realizing that Helena came from an isolated town. "Ah, I see you're confused, Helena." Flannery moves in front of her, placing both her hands on her hips.

"Can you explain, Flannery? I'm not that familiar with Pokemon terms or background." Helena explains, wanting to be familiar with this World.

Flannery moves in front of her, placing both her hands on her hips. "A Gym is where trainers like us challenge the Gym Leader so we can advance to challenge the Pokemon League." She explains poorly to the newbie before her.

Helena blinks, still not getting the explanation she was given. "Huh?"

Roxanne groans, placing her hand over Helena's shoulders. "Don't worry, Helena. You'll learn all that stuff at the Trainer School. But to make it easier to understand. The Pokemon League has placed eight gyms in different cities,"

"Each Gym specializes in Pokemon Types, they are there to challenge trainers so they can grow stronger with their Pokemon. By doing that we have a Pokemon Battle,"

Helena nodded, understanding a bit. "Okay, that sounds…rather cruel to put a Pokemon through a battle."

"You may think that, but Pokemon are resilient Creatures. So there's no immediate harm to them." Wallace added to his friend's statement. "Pokemon League law states that no battle is to be fought with the intention of harming others. If there were ever a situation where the Pokemon is seriously injured, you can take them to the Pokemon Center where Nurse Joy can heal them." He points to the large red dome building with a sunroof over it.

Above the entrance was a Pokeball symbol where trainers enter and exit.

"Oh wow, that's great!" Helena smiles, seeing things now with new eyes.

"You are greener than we thought, Helena." Steven chuckles causing Helena to blush.

Helena chuckles too, a bit embarrassed to admit. "Yeah, sorry."

The boy paused, seeing death glares from Roxanne, Flannery, and Wallace.

Brawly appeared next to his friend, nudging the teen. "(Oi, Steven, Dude that's no way to speak to a girl. Can't you see her face is redder than a tomato berry?)" The sky-blue-haired trainer whispers to Steven.

Steven looked at Helena, feeling ashamed for even joking like that. "O-Oh! Sorry, Helena, I didn't mean it like that!" He apologizes to her, his arms waving around like a lunatic.

Helena started to laugh, "No, it's fine. I was joking with you all." She stated, not feeling hurt or anything of a sort. "I understand that I'm new and that's fine. As long as I have a chance to learn at your school then things will be okay!"

"That's a relief, I thought I hurt you or something." Steven sighs in relief, thinking that he might still have a chance to- 'Wait why am I thinking of that?' He thought.

The Steel-blue haired boy cleared his throat, looking back at the new girl. "Helena, you say that you need to exchange the gems you have, right?" Steven asked, moving away from the subject.

"Yes, that's right." Helena took out the pouch, having it in hand for when they got there.

"Then follow me, the place I mentioned before isn't too far from here," Steven said, pointing to the place beyond the Pokemon Center.

Helena jumps, looking at the others. "Oh, but what about-"

Flannery places her hands at the back of her head, "We're good, we'll meet up at the Trainer School after you are all settled, Helena." The red-haired girl stated,

"I'll inform Headmaster Keith about you wanting to join the school," Roxanne stated, having a close relationship with the Headmaster. "Just do you,"

"Alright, I guess we'll see you all later then," Helena stated, watching the friends she made heading to the road next to the Pokemon Center.

"See ya, Dude and Dudette!" Brawly waved bye, for now, walking with his friends back to the School.

Helena turns to Steven, places his hands in his pockets, and smiles at Helena. "So, are you ready to head over to the rock specialist I know?" Steven asked Helena standing next to him.

Helena nods, ready to meet the specialist that Steven knows. "Yes, I am Steven."

The two walk down the streets of Rustboro, Steven eyes the black-haired girl taking in more of the small metropolis they were in. They've pasted many stores, often doing some window shopping at the items they were interested in.

During their walks, Steven informed Helena of the many things to do in Rustboro City. To the Trainer School to the Fossil Laboratory in the Devon Corporation (Leaving out that his father owned the company).

They were near an ice cream shop near the building that Steven was talking about.

"Steven, I have a question," Helena asked, now standing near the Devon Corporation building.

"What is it?" Steven asked, coming in with two cones in hand. He handed over a vanilla flavored one to her, waiting to hear her question.

Helena smiles, taking the cone from the Steel-blue haired boy. "Thanks, um…right. So, the Fossil Lab. What is it?" She asked, knowing a few things about fossils in her old world. "Do they research fossilized Pokemon remains and excavate them to give to the museum?" She asked.

Steven chuckles, "Not quite. The scientist in the lab does research ancient Pokemon remains but they also revive them." He explains what the researchers do in his family's laboratory.

Helena chokes on her ice cream, hearing what Steven said about what they do to fossils. "Like bring back from the dead? That type of revive!?" She asked, finding that to be a joke or a science fiction movie she once peeked while cleaning his Aunt and Uncle's home.

The trainer nodded, confirming what she said. "Amazing right? It took many attempts to revive them, eventually, the scientist manage to revive the fossil Pokemon." Steven looks at the Devon Corporation building, smiling at their work. "Trainers are more than welcome to revive the fossils they've found. But the ones that researchers revive are kept in a room within the Devon Corporation."

"So this is common knowledge?" Helena asked, worried about the Pokemon coming back from extinction.

"Yeah, it's no trade secret and the League passed a law that fossil Pokemon should be treated like any other Pokemon." Steven ensures Helena that there's nothing to worry about for the Pokemon.

Helena smiles, liking this world even more than before. "It seems that people and Pokemon do really live in peace." She states,

Steven agreed, "That's what I love about this world. People and Pokemon, live together as friends and partners." He passionately said, he looks at Helena who smiled at his words.

"A-Ahem, a-anyways…" Steven blushed, clearing his throat and looking to the other side of the streets. He points to the store with a Moon Stone as its logo over the entrance and glass windows. "That's the store that the specialist I spoke of is. You'll be able to exchange your gems for our currency, Pokedollars."

Helena raised an eyebrow, "Pokedollars? Is everything named after Pokemon here?" She asked, finding that cute and charming.

Steven chuckles, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry I was not the one who name everything." He jokes receiving a small laugh from the former Witch,

"It's alright, I find it cute," Helena stated, she looks over to the store before looking back at Steven. "Shall we go in?"

"Of course, follow me. The guy there is kind," Steven leads Helena across the streets, heading for the store.

Once the two arrived, Steven opened the door activating the bell above it. "Welcome to the Gem Emporium. How may I help you today-" A grey-haired man in a red suit with a neatly trimmed mustache looks over the counter. He smiles upon seeing a familiar young trainer,

"Ah, why if it isn't young Steven. Back from the caves, I presume?" The old man assumes, knowing this boy by heart. "What sort of jewels or stones you have brought for me today?" He looks to the side, noticing that he has company.

The old man blinks, seeing the young girl around Steven's age standing with him. "Oh my, so you brought me this kind of jewel." He smiles at Steven, clearly knowing what's going on. Deciding to play with this young man he gave a chuckle. "I'm sorry, Steven but I don't accept a beauty such as that gem. This is priceless and…should be kept close if you get what I mean."

Steven quickly looks at Helena, looking in awe of the verity of jewels, stones, and other minerals displayed around the store. "E-Eric! It's nothing like that! Not at all!" He blushed red as a ruby.

"Ohohohoho, of course, it isn't my dear boy." Eric, the Rock specialist stated before sighing. "Ah, to be young again."

Helena looks back at the old man before Steven, "Um, what's going on?" She asked.

"NOTHING!" Steven jumps before guiding the black-haired beauty to the specialist. He took a deep breath and introduced Helena to the old man. "So, Eric, this is Helena Potter. We met in the forest and wanted to exchange gems she's got for money." He explains,

"Right, um…" Helena places the pouch on the glass display case for the rock specialist to look at. "My family friend gave me this to exchange and Steven told me that it's worth a lot." She stated, watching Eric looking at each gem.

Eric was impressed by how perfect these gems were. They are rare to find, only having the opportunity once when he was in training. "I hope it's enough for-"

"Helena was it?" Eric looks up at the young teen that Steven brought. "This is a rare cluster of gems you brought for me. Where exactly you're from again?" He asked her.

"Oh, it's an isolated town on the outskirts of Hoenn," Helena explains to the old man.

Eric nodded, knowing that area isn't that well known to anyone. Mainly because Pokemon rarely venture through there. "I see, well you're glad to know this will give you a hefty price of around…" He looks down, counting the gems and estimating the value.

"Fifty million Pokedollars." The rock specialist informed the price of the jewels she has on hand.

Helena choked on her air at the price that her gems. "F-Fifty million Pokedollars!?" She exclaims looking at Steven who smiled.

Steven shrugs at her, "I told you it's going to be a hefty price." He jokes.

Eric cleared his throat, gaining their attention. "Anyways, I will get your payment now. Just wait here for a moment." The rock specialist turns to the back rooms, retrieving the right amount of money to exchange.

The black-haired teen looks at Steven, appreciating his help. "Thank you again for helping me with this, Steven." Helena smiles.

"Not a problem, helping a friend is always worth the while." Steven blushed, scratching his cheek. "So, what's your plan after this, Helena?"

Helena thought for a moment before answering. "Mmm, well I'm going to check out the Trainer School naturally. I want to learn about Pokemon and how this World work." She stated.

"Me too, there's a lot of things that I don't know," Steven said, leaning on the display case. "Attending the Trainer School helps me learn more."

"When did you start to attend the school?" Helena asked, placing her hands behind her back.

Steven smiles, "The middle of last month, shocking isn't it?" The Steel-blue-haired boy asked.

Helena looks at Steven, "What is?"

"That me and my friends just started just recently to the Trainer school," Steven said, making a cheeky smirk at the young maiden.

Helena blinks before laughing at the expression he was making to her.

Soon enough, Eric returns back to the front store with a suitcase filled with money. "Here's the money that I owe you for the exchange." The old man informed the young maiden. "Thank you for your service, Ms. Potter." He inclines his head to the black-haired girl.

"Oh! I didn't expect to have this amount of Pokedollars." Helena took the case before looking at Steven. "What should I do with this? I don't want to lug this suitcase around when traveling." She does not want to be taking this everywhere with her.

"Then you should open a trainer account, it's simple. All you need is to speak with Nurse Joy at the Pokemon Center and she'll help you out." Steven explains to the new trainer. "I can show you if you want, Helena." He smiles.

Helena jumps, still holding the suitcase. "Oh no, please you don't have to do that Steven." She stated, "You've done so much for me already, you don't need to go out for me like that."

Steven waved his hands, finding helping her is not a trouble at all. "It's alright, I don't mind at all." He states, turning to his friend. "Thank you again for your help, Eric."

The old rock specialist smiles, happy to be of assistance. "Any friend of yours is always welcome in my shop, Mr. Stone." Eric turns to Helena, looking at him curiously. "Take care, Ms. Potter. Know that any gems you might find out in Hoenn are always welcome here. Consider this as a friend discount on Steven's account."

"That's far too much but thank you anyway." Helena smiles, happy that this World is filled with kind people.

"You should thank Mr. Stone for this," Eric stated, pushing the credit over to the young trainer.

Steven cleared his throat, "A-Anyways, let's get to the Center to get you set upon your account, Helena." He walks out of the store, leaving the happy shopkeeper.

"Have a nice day you two and thank you for visiting the Gem Emporium." Eric smiles at the two.

Helena inclines her head to the old man, grateful for his help. "T-Thank you for the money, sir. We're off!" She quickly catches up with the Steel-blue haired boy, leaving the store.

Eric sighs, watching the two from his window. "To be young again." He smiles.

Steven turns his head, seeing Helena walking up to him. "Sorry about that Helena, Eric is a good person but can be eccentric at times." He chuckles, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

"I know that feeling, my Uncle can be like that sometimes when concerning me." Helena converses with her new friend.

"It got to be hard leaving those you know behind. At least they're supportive of your decision to take your journey." Steven commented, walking to the corner where a red building with a glass dome on the roof. Above the door was a white Pokeball that many trainers recognize.

Steven points to the building for Helena to see. "Helena, that's the Pokemon Center across from us." He explains.

Helena looks at the red building, remembering what the teal-haired boy said. "Ah, yes, the hospital for Pokemon. I remember now." She said.

"The Pokemon Center also serves as a hub for trainers around the region. Trading, challenging, and buying necessities for their journey across Hoenn." Steven explains, crossing the road with her beside him.

"That's actually kinda cool." Helena smiles, crossing the road and walking to the entrance of the Pokemon Center.

"Yeah, it is," Steven answered, entering the Center with Helena.

(End Song, enter Pokemon Center theme)

They were greeted by charming music in a charming waiting room filled with many Pokemon and trainers. "What a charming lobby, I have never seen different people around in one place before." Helena smiles at the cheery atmosphere.

Steven looks around, trying to find the front desk manager. He then spots a pink-haired, blue-eyed nurse with her hair tied in two loops to the side. Her uniform was grey with a white apron around her front and a golden name tag.

The nurse smiles seeing off a trainer she just helped; Steven smiles turning to the former Witch. "Helena, that woman behind the counter will help us," He informed his friend.

"Okay, let's talk to her then." Helena and Steven made their way over to the nurse stationed at the front desk.

Nurse Joy saw the two young trainers coming up to them, she smiles greeting the two. "Hello, welcome to the Rustboro City Pokemon Center. I'm Nurse Joy, how may I help you two?" She asked the two.

"Nurse Joy, can you help my friend create a trainer account?" Steven asked the Nurse before him.

Helena steps forward, placing the suitcase on the desk. "I just came from the outskirts so I'm rather new at this." She explains her situation to the pink-haired Nurse.

The Nurse smiles, pulling out the hologram screen. "Of course, it's rather rare to see people from the outskirts of the region. I'm still happy to help," She places her hands on the keypad, ready to take her information.

"Now, what is your name, young lady?" Nurse Joy asked.

"Helena Lillian Potter,"

"Date of birth?"

"July thirty first, nineteen eighty."

Steven blinks at the year, 'nineteen eighty? Just a year younger than me.' He thought.

"Age?"

"fourteen years old,"

"Alright, now that settles that part," Nurse Joy pressed a button, popping a small holo-screen before Helena. "All I need is your signature and you're set to go."

Helena nodded, signing the holo-screen before it disappears. "Alright, you are all set, Pokemon trainer Helena. Note that if you want to register for the Pokemon League you just need your trainer card and scan it over that terminal right there." She points to the red and white terminal that trainers are gathering.

"Unless you want to do Pokemon Contests, it's the terminal to the right of it." She points to the pink and blue terminal that was also huddled by trainers.

"Um, what happens if I don't know yet?" Helena asked the kind Nurse.

Nurse Joy smiles, "That's quite fine, Helena. You don't need to compete in contests or the League. It's your journey and it's up to you how you want to take it." She took the case from the counter,

She inclines her head to the new trainer, "I will transfer your assets into your account for you, oh and one more thing." Nurse Joy took a pink Rotom Phone from the many selections behind her and handed it to the new trainer. "This is a Rotom Phone, it's an electronic device that's possessed by a Pokemon called Rotom. It'll provide you with navigation, information, and transactions on your account." She informed her of the uses of the smartphone powered by a Pokemon.

"If you excuse me, I shall transfer your money to your account." Nurse Joy left for the back, doing what she said.

Helena was curious, she did hear about cellphones back in her old world. But they were more bulker and larger while this one was smaller with a screen. "Never seen a Rotom Phone before?" Steven asked,

"Not really, I did hear about cellphones but not this kind before. Rotom… is it a Pokemon?" Helena looks at the Steel-blue haired boy,

"Turn your phone around," Helena did so, seeing the Rotom blinking at her while chucking.

Helena steps back, shocked to see a phone blinking back at her. "Wow, that's so cool! So Rotom is a Pokemon. It's always interesting to see technology advancing." She frowns, looking back at her Rotom Phone. "Does Rotom mind being inside our phones like this? It sounds kinda cruel." She commented.

Steven shook his head, "Not at all. Rotom loves to possess the technology to play pranks on people at times." He took out his own Rotom Phone, light blue color with a silver streak going sideways on the bottom end. "See? It's harmless since they're Electric Type Pokemon."

"Electric Type Pokemon, there's a lot I need to learn about to understand the world." Helena sighs, taking note of the name.

"Well that's why we're going to the Trainer School next, I'm sure by now Headmaster Keith has been informed by his prized pupil," Steven ensures that everything was fine.

Helena ponders at the prized pupil that Steven said, "Prized pupil, is it Roxanne?"

Steven nodded, "Yeah it is, believe or not Headmaster Keith might choose her to be the next Rustboro City Gym due to her outstanding wins in battles." He informed her before grinning. "That is until she met me, but I have no interest in becoming a Gym Leader."

"Oh? What do you want to be-"

"Helena? Thank you for waiting." The two turn back to the counter where Nurse Joy renters the area. "The transaction has been successful, your Rotom Phone should have the money recorded." The pink-haired Nurse informed her.

Helena nodded, looking at her Rotom Phone. "Okay…where is…" She spots a P sign with dashes as they have in pounds and dollars. "This one then," She clicked on the cube and the account was accessed.

"I see it!" Helena spots her money on her account, ready for her to use however she likes. She looks up at Nurse Joy, appreciating her help. "Thank you, Nurse Joy, for your help,"

Nurse Joy nodded, "Of course, anytime Helena. Thank you for visiting the Rustboro City Pokemon Center. We await your return." She inclines her head, biding them a farewell.

Steven stands up straight, placing his Rotom Phone back in his pocket. "Alright, time for the last stop for today."

Helena nodded, knowing what it is. "The Pokemon Trainer School!" (End Song)

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