AN: Please enjoy the chapter.

Ch 13 Helena's New Interest

An orange chick like Pokemon was pecking the ground. "Torchic," The Fire-type cried.

"Mudkip!" A blue Water-type Pokemon splashed in the small pond, happily singing.

The trees above the small yard rustled as something crawled from the tree. A small gecko Pokemon climbs down from the trunk. "Treecko!" The Grass-type greeted the other Pokemon in the yard.

The other two came up to Treecko, they were having a conversation before running off playing.

Helena smiles, watching the Starters playing in their little yard. Her eyes shift to the back where many more were doing their own thing or playing.

"Impressed? These Pokemon can only be found in this area of the Hoenn Region." Steven informed the young trainer, observing the Starters.

Helena turns to the Steel-haired boy, curious what he means by that. "How come?" She asked.

Steven paused, that question was never asked before. It was common that the majority of trainers will get either Torchic, Mudkip, or Treecko as their Partner. "I'm not sure…it's pretty common that you get those three from Pokemon Center and Laboratories." He informed her of what others know.

"I can answer that," Professor Birch walks up to the two, smiling brightly. The two turn around to the young Professor, hearing his voice. "Though it's a trade secret,"

"Um, Professor if this is a secret then why are you telling us?" Steven asked, curious why he would tell them.

Helena nodded, knowing secrets were meant to be kept secret. "Yeah, shouldn't you be careful on who you should tell this secret?" She asked the young Professor.

The brown-haired Professor opened his mouth only for someone else to speak. "Oh? What's this secret?" Wallace asked entering the room with Flannery, Brawly, and Roxanne, leaving their Pokemon in the care of the Professor's Assistant, Joshua.

Steven and Helena look at their friends joining them after they left their Pokemon. "Something about the Starter Pokemon and whatnot," Flannery said, hearing bits and pieces about it. "Wait, is it their origins?" She asked now getting excited.

"Really? That's totally rad!" Brawly smiles, excitedly in a fighting position.

"Alright you two, calm down." Roxanne held her hands to the two eccentric people in their group.

Wallace looks over to Professor Birch, unsure about this. More importantly, why tell them about the Starter's origins. "Professor, why tell us the origins of the Starter Pokemon to us?" The Champion asked, knowing full well that the Professor knows who he is.

The brown-haired Professor smiles, having a gut feeling his old mentor sent these people because they were special. "Headmaster Keith sent you, he rarely sends anyone to learn about Pokemon far off from the School." Owen Birch explains, motioning his hands. "He sees that you six are special, so as a treat he wanted me to tell you everything about Pokemon alike. From their Origins to their secrets, something that he had me do when I was under his tutelage."

"Does this mean that the Headmaster knows where the Starters come from?" Flannery asked, now thinking that the Headmaster knew about them for a long time. "I mean there was a time where I found a group of Treeckos at the back of the School. The Headmaster said that I was imagining things." The red-haired girl explains her encounter with the old Gym Leader.

"Ah, that's because Headmaster Keith is one of a few like me who raise the Starters to equal level for trainers." The young Professor Birch explained to the young trainer.

Roxanne's eyes widen, catching what the young Professor said. "Wait, Headmaster Keith raises the Starters?" She asked, surprised by the revelation.

Professor Birch nodded, looking at the brunette. "Yes, the Pokemon League supplies every Starters to the ones they hired to raise them. This is a kept secret that the League and their trusted colleagues." He explains to the trainers from the Trainer School.

Wallace nodded, pretending to understand what the new Professor informed them. As the Champion everything regarding Pokemon trainers and Pokemon. "I see, no wonder the Headmaster and some select staff disappear during lunch breaks." The teal-haired boy commented, pretending to not know anything.

"They probably are checking up on the Starter Pokemon in that small forest on campus." Helena assumes, seeing a few of the School's staff going into the forest behind while touring the school.

"I did too," Steven added, seeing some teachers heading off to the same forest as Helena. "I always wondered why they were going there. Now I know." The Steel-blue-haired boy admits, curious about where those teachers were going.

"Anyways, you're all here to learn about Pokemon. As you can see," The Professor motions to the books in his small Laboratory. "Feel free to read any documents I have researched during my travels." Owen offered free reign in his Lab.

Flannery raised her fist in the air, "Yay…reading…" She sarcastically celebrated the fact they were going to be reading.

"Whoo-hoo…" Brawly sarcastically cheered as well, not too excited about reading books. Both he and Flannery are those types of trainers who learn from experience.

Roxanne smiles at the two athletic people in their group. "Come on you two, it won't be so bad." She urges them to read some research that the young Professor offering. "There's a lot of research here that'll bound to get your attention."

"I'm sure it will for me," Wallace smiles, walking to the shelves.

Own Birch smiles, seeing the young trainers reading his researcher. "I hope you enjoy it,"

It's been thirty minutes since the Professor offered his research for them to read. Wallace, Roxanne, Brawly, and Flannery read a few books but went elsewhere in the Lab. While Professor Birch went to check on something, Steven and Helena were the only ones in the small library.

Helena was amazed by the research Professor Birch did on Pokemon. From their Typing, their habitats, and to Evolution, from what Headmaster Keith told them he was studying Pokemon Evolution.

Her eyes caught something that looked interesting, a book fell from the shelf. It's an old orange Eastern-looking book with old-looking writing. "Did the Professor drop this?" She walks over to it, grabbing it to get a closer look.

Upon looking up, even though blur, Helena wasn't sure but saw someone at the window. She couldn't tell, but the person she saw had a mop of white hair. She approached the window to see who could be possibly outside.

Helena reached the window, trying to see who was outside. "W-Who was…" She looks down at the book she was holding, making out the title. "The Ancient Region, the Legend of Hisui." She opens the book, turning the pages.

She saw an image of a white deer with strange-looking horns.

"Wyrdeer…a Normal/Psychic-type."

Helena turns to the next page to a large bass-like Pokemon with two forms. One red with a fierce expression and the other blue with a depressed expression.

"Basculegion…a Water/Ghost-type."

The next page was a strange rocky mantis Pokemon with axes for arms.

"Kleavor…a Bug/Rock-type."

She went through many pages with old drawings of Pokemon, Voltorb, and Electrode. Growlithe and Arcanine, and many more. Helena then saw notes on the end of the page, assumed to be Professor Birch's notes.

"Through my travels in the Sinnoh Region, I have learned a lot about Sinnoh's distant past." Helena read the notes on the page. "From ancient books, from some strange blonde man claiming to be a researcher on the Legends of Sinnoh's Legendary Pokemon. I have found that most Pokemon we've known had previous forms that went extinct over time."

"Previous forms?" Helena flips back to the old drawings of Pokemon, "These drawings must be what the Pokemon used to look like in the past." She commented, continuing to read the notes inside the book.

"Though I only have a few days left in the Sinnoh to do my research, I have theorized what if the other Regions have long-extinct Regional forms. Such as Unova, Kalos, Kanto, or even the Region I live, Hoenn."

"Pokemon are mysterious and yet fascinating creatures."

Helena finished reading the notes made by the Professor. "Professor Birch isn't done researching extinct Regional forms…mmm." She ponders, turning to the shelves where the book she read was.

Steven walked around the shelf, looking through the Evolution research. He remembered that the Headmaster talked about something Pokemon going through another stage of their Evolution line with some stone.

"Evolution…Evolution…Stone…" Steven looked closely at the titles that Professor Birch has regarding Pokemon Evolution. He then came across a set of reports from the days when the Professor was at Kalos. "There it is, Evolution and Beyond." He picked the book from the shelf and started reading it.

The Steel-blue hair boy opened the book, reading through the research in his hands. He saw personal notes made by the Professor.

"Evolution; a process where a Pokemon changed form due to their power increasing or processed some sort of move or item." Steven read the notes, already knew that about them.

"However with my colleague I met on my first day in the Kalos Region. Both he and I were studying the same subject at the time and decided to work together."

"Further studies and witness accounts said that Pokemon with a strong bond with their trainers achieved a Phenomenon called Mega Evolution."

Steven smiles, finding what he's been looking for. "So that's the name," He said to himself. "Mega Evolution."

"Upon further investigations and research, we found out that there are at least forty-eight Pokemon can Mega Evolve. How do Pokemon Mega Evolve? When did they develop the skill? Our research led us to a conclusion that both trainers processed something called a Key Stone and Mega Stone."

"On which goes to which, my colleague believes that the Key Stone goes to the trainer and Mega Stones to the Pokemon."

Steven smiles, reading through the research. He was too inversed into it that he didn't notice that Helena was literally next to him reading.

They read the researcher in their hands, smiling at the intriguing topic they're reading. "So that's what the Headmaster was talking about." Steven smiles, closing the book in his hand.

Steven turns to his left, finally noticing Helena reading next to him.

'She was next to me the whole time!?' Steven mentally exclaims, he paused seeing that she was invested in the book she has. Taking a closer look he saw the title was about Sinnoh's past when it was still called Hisui.

"Huh?" Helena looked confused from what she read.

"Is something the matter, Helena?" Steven asked the black-haired girl,

Helena quickly turns to her side, noticing that Steven was next to her. "S-Steven, when did you get here?" She asked, a small amount of blush appeared on her cheeks.

Steven scratches the back of his head, "I-I didn't mean to spook you, I was following the letters to find what I was looking for. Which I did." He motions to the research in his hands.

"I-I see, sorry I was too engrossed with what was written in here." Helena showed the old Eastern book to the Steel-blue-haired boy. "The Pokemon listed here is interesting, old extinct forms of Pokemon. It's fascinating, too bad they're all extinct." She sighs, a bit disappointed that she won't see any of them.

"Not exactly, the Galar Region has some Regional variants of some Pokemon. Oh, and Aloha too." Steven informed his friend, explaining Regional variants to her. "You might meet some during your journey." He said, having faith Helena would one day.

Helena nodded, feeling confident that she'll meet them someday. "Yeah, you're right."

Steven smiles, now seeing Helena looking at the book once more. "What're reading?" He asked, curious why she was reading closely.

"O-Oh, sorry it's just I can read fine, but this note that Professor Birch wrote," Helena explains to her friend, showing it to Steven. "It's strange like he didn't write it himself."

"Let me see, maybe I can help." Steven offed, being handed the book to him.

Helena nodded, "Be your guest," She said as she handed the book.

Steven read the note, noticing the different handwriting. The top half looked like it was worn down due to the age it looked. "Okay, now I see what you mean,"

"…The last time I saw ####, ## was taken ## ###### through the ####. I fear for the ######." Steven read the strange old looking note. "I figured to leave this ####### in the capable hands of ###### ### ### ## ### ######. # ##### ### ######, #### ### ## #########. #### ### ## ### cost." He then noticed the strange part about the note, a random sentence than the smudged sentence.

"Just before #### ####### ## ### ####, I ###### gave me a vision. A Prophecy: Two children, one born like everyone else and the other power from a fallen World shall quell the Lost Lords."

Steven read the strange note, unsure what it means. "I can see what you mean, it doesn't make sense." The Steel-blue haired trainer stated,

"I know, it's very vague and yet it's interesting!" Helena exclaims, expressing her fascination with this mystery.

The aspiring Champion smiles at Helena, he was about to speak when somebody interrupted them. "Oh, I didn't know the Professor has young researchers in his Lab." The two turned around, there stood a man.

"My name is Wyscan," The researcher introduced himself to the two. "I'm a fellow researcher who's traveling with another researcher on ancient ruins."

The man was in his early twenties or late teens. He has grey eyes, blonde hair tied in a messy bun, and some strands over his right eye. He wore a black turtle sweater and a grey-green overcoat, he has a red scarf around his neck, dark grey jeans, and black boots. Hanging down his neck was a tear shape necklace, and on his head was a blue cap.

Helena smiles at the kind man. "Hello, my name's Helena and this is Steven. We've come to visit Professor Birch's Lab for our school." She explains to the researcher.

Wyscan smiles, "Ah, you must be the ones that Professor Birch was talking about." The blonde man nodded, placing his hand on his chin.

"That's right, we're from the Pokemon Trainer School," Steven answers the older researcher. "We're here with some of our friends with us too, they might be wandering around the Laboratory."

The blonde man nodded, "Well there are other parts of the Pokemon Lab that are a bit more interesting." Wyscan held up his finger. "Like the Lab ranch where Professor Birch has for researching Pokemon, or the Medical bey for injured Pokemon," The researcher informed the two.

Helena turns to Steven, "Maybe everyone checked it out." She assumes, having not seen their friends for a while.

"You might be right," Steven ponders out loud, thinking the same thing. His eyes looked at the black-haired girl. "Wanna see what they are up to?"

"Yeah, we've been here for who knows how long." Helena jokes with her Steel-blue-haired friend.

Steven chuckles finding what she said to be funny. "I guess you're right, Helena." He looks at Wyscan, happy to meet him. "Sorry to make this short-"

"No, it's fine." Wyscan took off his hat, "I'm happy to help,"

Steven got a good look at Wyscan, finding his face familiar. "You look familiar, have I seen you before?" He asked curiously, "You vaguely look like someone I know,"

"A-Ah, I do get that sometimes." Wyscan chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I happen to have those faces that remind people of someone."

Steven seems to accept this and moved on. "I see, sorry for asking."

Wyscan waved his hand, not minding at all. "Don't worry about it." He ensures him.

"Anyways, thank you again, Wyscan." Helena place back the book on the shelf, as did Steven with his. "I hope we get to see each other sometimes."

Wyscan laughs, taking a liking to this strange kind girl. "Oh, I'll be around. My fellow researchers and I will be sticking to Hoenn for a bit." The blonde man smiles, "Researching and other stuff,"

"I see, well see you around, Wyscan." Both the young trainers left the bookshelves, leaving the researcher be.

Wyscan watches the two leave before approaching the book that Helena had. "Mmmm…" He hums with a smile, taking a look at the book before putting it back.

Steven and Helena walked around the small Pokemon Lab in search of their friends. "Where do you think they are, Steven?" Helena asked her friend.

The young trainer looks around the area. He crosses his arm, thinking about where their friends might be. "Steven?"

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking where everyone could possibly go," Steven answered the former Witch. He smiles, hearing the cheerful cries of Pokemon outside. "And I know where they might be,"

"Huh?" Helena was about to ask when Steven grabs her hand suddenly, "S-Steven where…" She looks at him, seeing the smile on his face.

His blue eyes shift back to Helena, her cheeks blushed red. "To meet with everyone," Steven said charmingly, "Don't you hear the Pokemon laughing?" He asked.

Helena heard the laughter while Steven held onto her. "Yes I do, but what does that got to-" Her eyes widen realizing what it means.

"Yeah, it means-" Steven opens the door to the ranch area of the Lab. Outside were their Pokemon and friends gathered outside with two new people.

"Mmm? I feel like I saw someone like her before." Helena stood behind Steven, completely forgetting he was holding his hands.

There stood a woman with powder-blue hair speaking with their friends. She looked around twenty or so, she was also with another woman with long blonde hair. "Steven?" She looks at him only to find him in bewilderment.

"T-That's Katelyn Dark," Steven informed the former Witch.

Helena looks back at the powder-blue woman, now recognizing her from when she first arrived at the Trainer School. "Ah, you're right!" She jumps, remembering who she was.

Everyone turns around, hearing Helena's voice. "Oi! What took you two?" Flannery waved at the two.

"I guess they were too invested with the research Professor Birch offered us." Wallace nudges his Sky-blue haired friend.

Brawly chuckled and noticed the small detail between the two. "It seems that read research isn't the only thing they were doing." He pointed to their hands interlocking with each other.

"Oho? Now that's interesting…" Wallace smiles.

Steven and Helena saw and heard what Brawly was talking about. They looked down at their hands still interlocking.

The two's faces started to blush, both feeling hot all of a sudden. They quickly pulled their hands apart, "S-Sorry, I didn't realize I've been holding your hand for this long." Steven apologizes to Helena.

"I-It's alright," Helena held the hand that Steven was holding. "I-It was a surprise, but I don't mind." She blushed, looking away from the aspiring Champion.

Soon their Pokemon rushed at their trainers, distracting them from their embarrassing moment.

"Lileep!"

"Beldum!"

"Kirlia!"

Dratini cries happily, following both Kirlia, Lileep, and Beldum to their trainers.

Helena kneels down, letting her Partners into her arms. "I see you two are doing fine." She smiles, hearing their cries of joy.

"Beldum, Lileep, how're doing buds?" Steven asked while petting both his Partners' heads. They responded like Helena's Partners did.

The two looked forward, seeing Katelyn and the other woman approach them. "So, you're Steven and Helena. I heard a lot of things from your friends." Katelyn greeted the two.

"I hope it's good things," Steven jokes, looking at their friends and smiling at them.

"Nothing too terrible, oh I'm sorry I didn't introduce us." Katelyn smiles, placing her hand on her chest. "I'm Katelyn Dark, but I'm sure you heard of me. this here is-"

"I'm Lusamine, Katelyn's friend while studying to be researchers." The blonde woman introduced herself to the two children. "It's nice to meet you two and your friends. You all are so unique,"

Helena smiles, being polite to the two women. "It's a pleasure to meet you two."

"Say, I didn't know there was a party here." Everyone looked back to see Wyscan walking out of the lab. "If I had known, I would bring something to lighten the mood better." Wyscan chuckled.

Katelyn sighs, shaking her head. "Sorry about my assistant. Wyscan can be eccentric at times."

"You and me both, Wallace can be like that too," Roxanne spoke up, walking behind them with everyone else.

Wallace shrugs, not caring what she says. "It's just how I was born," He admits.

Wyscan laughs, seeing what a big group they made. "Wow, speak about a big group. It's definitely like a party here." The blonde smiles.

"Yeah, you said it bra!" Brawly placed his hands at the back of his head. The large group laughs at the comment the young surfer stated.

"Say, why don't we get something to eat?" Helena suggested to everyone, "If we're all going to talk, why not do it while eating?"

Everyone found that idea to be inviting, and they agreed to what the former Witch suggested. "Yeah, that sounds a great idea, Helena." Flannery smiles.

"Sounds good to me, I think Owen won't mind if we eat out," Lusamine commented, wanting to know these people more. "Oh, we were at a nice café nearby that is good. Let's go there!"

"Café? That sounds fun, can I join?" Professor Birch returned, hearing talk about a café.

At the café, everyone was getting to know each other better. Helena smiles, eating a custard pie something she was craving from the moment they saw the café. "Say, Helena."

Helena looks up, seeing Katelyn looking at her. "Yes?" She asked.

"I heard from my assistant, that you were reading a book about ancient Regions." Katelyn leans forward, "Are you interested in that topic?" She asked.

The former Witch nodded, "A bit, I found it fascinating that Pokemon has old forms that went extinct long ago," Helena replied happily. "It makes me wonder why they have gone extinct." She ponders.

"Now that's something that a researcher would ask." Professor Birch raised his hands, "Helena, do you know what you want to be when you're an adult?" He asked,

Helena paused, never thought that far. "I haven't yet, to be honest, I'm going to the Trainer School so I can figure that out." She explains.

Lusamine sighs, remembering when she was young and didn't know what to do. "Ah, that reminds me of myself. I didn't know what to do until I read my father's research." The blonde commented. "After reading a few of his research, I'm now more intrigued about Ultra Wormholes than ever."

"Ultra…Wormholes?" Helena tilts her head, listening to the young Researcher.

"It's a long topic, maybe I will give you a copy of mine and my boyfriend's research for you to read." Lusamine offered, liking the vibe with this young trainer.

Helena nodded, finding that interesting too. "I might take you up on it later,"

Wyscan smiles, drinking his coffee. "Helena, if you find the topic you've found interesting, you should pursue it." The blonde man advised the young lady. "It might take you somewhere you didn't expect, you might make a name for yourself."

Katelyn nodded, "Take his advice, I find it helpful in my work too."

"You're just saying that Professor." Wyscan chuckled,

Helena smiles, finding their advice to be helpful in what she wants to do. However, she felt that she want to see the World first. She looks to Professor Birch, finishing his treat. "I might, but I want to go on my journey first. See what Hoenn is like,"

"I see, there's nothing wrong with that," Lusamine commented, seeing her point of view. "I know whatever you choose is something that you want to do."

"Here, here!" Katelyn cheered,

Helena chuckled, looking at the young Professor. "Professor Birch, if you don't mind may I borrow that book?" She asked.

Professor Birch nodded, "Of course, I was going to research Regional forms of old, but can't due to my work." He sighs, shaking his head. "I'm curious where this might lead you, consider that book as your key to your future."

"Thank you, Professor!" Steven overheard what the Researchers and Helena were talking about. He smiles when she was ecstatic upon receiving the book, something that is rare to see in most girls.

Steven turns to Roxanne talking about something; however, his eyes didn't fall too far from Helena, speaking more about research. 'Good for her,' He smiles.

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