AN: I've been watching too many romance anime and got really inspired to write. Plus I got Sword today so added a bonus! Please enjoy the chapter,
Ch 4 A Taste of Battle
Helena and Steven stood before a red building with a white Pokeball at the entrance. "Helena, welcome to the Pokemon Trainer School. Where all trainers gather to learn more about Pokemon and battling." Steven introduces the school to the black-haired trainer.
"Wow," Helena looks at the school, small yet respectable to everyone who gazes upon it. "This is nothing like my old school." She commented, liking the atmosphere of this place.
Steven looks at Helena, trying to get to know her better. "What was your old school like, if you don't mind." He asked the black-haired girl.
Helena looks at the senior trainer, "Oh, it's a large school that teaches regular education that normal schools teach." She explains, not wanting to reveal she was a Witch. "I did attend but rather learn in the outside world." She smiles,
"I understand, things can only be learned from traveling." Steven smiles before clearing his throat. "Uh, yeah let's meet with Headmaster Keith and get you registered to the school." He walks forward to the glass door.
Helena nodded, walking next to the Steel-blue haired boy to the entrance of the Trainer school. "I can't wait," She said, about to enter the school.
Just about the two can enter the Trainer School, the glass double door opened to a powder-blue-haired fair-skinned female around the age of seventeen. She wore a blue blouse with brown shorts above her kneecaps. Brown boots that reach to her mid-calf. Over her clothes was a brown trench coat.
Her blue eyes look down at the two trainers standing before her. "Excuse me, I'm just passing through." She said before walking to the two young trainers and into the bustling streets of Rustboro.
"Who was she?" Helena asked, seeing the mysterious woman disappear into the streets.
Steven felt he has seen her before but can't make out where. "I'm not sure, but I do have an inkling feeling she's important…" He commented on the strange woman.
"Oi, Helena, Steven! How long are you going to stand out here?" The two turn around and saw Brawly leaning on the glass window next to the automatic door with his arms crossed.
"Brawly," Helena greeted the Sky-blue haired boy,
They made their way to the entrance, meeting Brawly halfway. "Were you waiting for us this whole time?" Steven asked one of his closest friends giving a cheeky smirk.
Brawly smirks, "Nah dude, the Headmaster asked me to take Katelyn to the entrance-"
"Katelyn!? As in Katelyn Dark? The youngest archaeologist that hail from Kalos?" Steven asked, shocked that was the same woman that he heard about through the archaeologist that his father has on staff.
Helena blinks, looking at both boys. "I'm sorry, but who's Katelyn Dark? You make her sound like she's a big deal around the World." She asked the two.
Steven turns around, his face filled with excitement to tell the former Witch. "Katelyn Dark is one and foremost youngest archaeologists that ever lived. She works on many excavation sites, such as the White Ruins and the Colossus Ruins in the Unova Region along with Professor Cedric Juniper and the Solaceon Ruins in Sinnoh!" He explains, expressing his other passion for the ancient past.
"I do wonder what Katelyn is doing here in Hoenn?" Steven ponders on why the most known archaeologist is doing this here in the Region.
"You must really like ancient History, Steven." Helena giggles at the boy's interests, finding that cute.
Steven chuckles, not afraid to show what he really loves. "Well to advance for the future, we must learn about the past too." He stated his belief in life.
Brawly held back his laughter, hearing the same words many times before. "Get used to it, dudette. You'll hear that a lot from Steven when attending here."
The former Witch smiles, happy to have this type of friendship. "Oh, I can tell." She sighs,
"A-Ahem, in any case. Let's head inside and meet with Headmaster Keith, Helena." Steven said to the new trainer.
Helena nodded, following both Brawly and Steven inside the Trainer School where her education as a trainer will commence.
Inside the school, Roxanne stood before an old man with an angular face. His grey hair was tied in a ponytail and a long grey mustache that hangs down from his cheeks. He wore a black suit and a brown tie with grey pants and black shoes.
Next to the old man was a large green lizard with a fern as its tail. The Pokemon has a choker that meets with a green circler stone that has a red and green symbol like a marble.
"Helena…Potter," The old man ponders the new name given by his prized pupil. "Roxanne, this girl…you said that she came from the outskirts of the Region am I correct?"
The brunette nodded to the old man's question. "Yes, Headmaster. Though we just met, I have a good feeling about her," Roxanne stated, wanting her mentor to give her new friend a try. "I can tell she can be a powerful trainer if given the chance."
Keith nodded to his pupil's words. "Yes, yes, Roxanne I understand." He looks at the young trainer he has taken an interest in. "All I can do is to see what Helena Potter is like for myself and see if she has the potential to learn in the school to become the strongest trainer as you said."
"That's all I want from you, Headmaster. You won't regret it!" Roxanne smiles, hearing a knock on the door.
"Headmaster Keith, we brought Helena here to see you." The muffled voice of Steven Stone informed the old man sitting at his desk. "May we come in?" He asked.
Keith looks at Sceptile for his stand on this. "Sceptile," The Forest Pokemon nods, wanting to give this new trainer from the outskirts a chance like every trainer they've met.
Keith smiles, looking at the door behind Roxanne. "Yes, do come in Mr. Stone." He looks over to his pupil, asking her for privacy. "If you don't mind, Roxanne I would like to speak with Ms. Potter alone."
Helena walks in hearing the last part of what the old man said to Roxanne. She watches as Roxanne obliges the Headmaster. "Yes, Headmaster," She turns around and smiles at her.
"(Don't worry, I have spoken with him. Just speak with the Headmaster and things will be fine.)" Roxanne smiles, motioning for the boys to leave the office.
Steven looks at the black-haired girl, about to leave her. "I guess I'll see you later then." He smiles,
"Oi, Steven let's get going," Brawly called out to the heir of the Devon Corporation. He looks at the former Witch, saluting her. "See ya, dudette." The trainer said before leaving the Headmaster's office.
Helena waves before looking at the old man sitting behind his desk. "Helena Potter, am I correct?" The old mustached man asked the former Witch.
"That's right, sir," Helena responded.
"I am Keith, the Headmaster of the Pokemon Trainer School and Gym Leader of the Rustboro Gym." Keith motions his hand to the seat before her. "Please take a seat, I want to get to know you better." He urges the new trainer to sit,
Helena nodded, politely sitting on the chair that the Headmaster offered. She sat down, looking him eye to eye however her eyes drew over the Forest Pokemon standing like he's guarding the old Headmaster.
Seeing the emerald, green eyes of the young trainer darting over to his Sceptile. Keith smiles, looking at his friend for years. "I take it you never seen a Sceptile before, Ms. Potter?" The old man asked.
"Sorry, I haven't. This is my first time seeing one." Helena gave a gentle look at the final stage of Treecko. "He is beautiful and powerful at the same time." She commented.
Sceptile closes his eyes, smiling proudly at the comment Helena gave. "Scep, Sceptile." He thanked the former Witch.
"Sceptile and I were partners since I started my journey many years ago," Keith explains to the young trainer before him. "Sceptile's first stage evolution, Treecko is one of the three starters for new trainers to receive in the traditional way of beginning on their journey at ten years old."
Helena looks at the Headmaster, hearing the age that which children receive their first Pokemon. "I'm sorry, but ten years old? How can parents allow that; going out in the World alone like that," She said, thinking that's irresponsible parenting.
Keith chuckles, proving what Roxanne said was true. "You really are from the outskirts, Ms. Potter." He breathes before explaining things to the new trainer. "You see Helena, ten years old by our standards is considered an adult. You all learn basic life skills from your parents and encouraged you to explore the possibilities of life."
"Yes, I know that seems irresponsible but that's how it is." Keith smiles, remembering his own journey in his youth. "I'm not sure what your community is like, and I will not pry since it's your private life. I'm sure whoever raised you wants you to live life to the fullest."
Helena sighs, knowing that's what her late parents would want from her. "Yeah, they would."
Keith caught on to what the young trainer is feeling right now, a sense of sadness. Assuming that something might've happened to her parents he changed the subject. "Ahem. Tell me, Ms. Potter, why would you want to attend our school? To add, why do you want to be a Pokemon trainer, what's your goal when you become a trainer?" He asked, judging her responses.
Helena thought for a moment about her answer, in truth all she wanted was to get away from the politics of her old world. "To be honest with you Headmaster, the reason why I want to attend this school is to learn about Pokemon."
"But that's not the only reason, Ms. Potter," Keith commented, telling that there's more to it than meets the eye.
"Yes," Helena sighs, admitting that the old man was right. "M-My old school's Headmaster is…a bit involved in my personal life…and that there's a lot of suiters that he pushed upon me because of my family."
"Sceptile," The Grass-type sympathizes with the young lady. He can tell that it's rather a difficult situation she was in, he looks at his partner who understands the problem.
The old Headmaster nodded, having encountered a few trainers with the same problem as she in his career. "I see, you came from an old family am I wrong?" Keith asked the young maiden.
Helena nodded, "It's not well known in this area of Hoenn, but my family is pretty huge in the isolated areas of the Region." She explains to the old man. "Me being a girl and all, well I can tell you know what it means."
"Yes, I do know what becomes of females of those old families. Often I see some married men they like but the majority got married to men that they don't." The old Headmaster stated, "But don't worry, that type of practice isn't allowed in this part of the Region. You are safe here from your marriage contract." He ensures the girl.
"Now for my other question."
Helena nodded, "Yes, why I want to be a Pokemon Trainer." She restates his question before. "Ahem, well I'm not well versed in Pokemon yet. I'm willing to learn as much as I can understand them, but for why I want to become a trainer…well, I'm not sure yet." She admits.
Keith nodded at the answer she gave. "If you don't know then that's alright. Here at the Pokemon Trainer School, trainers will discover their goals while learning about Pokemon." He explains, "You'll develop an understanding of both the fantastic World of Pokemon and yourself."
The former Witch blinks, looking at the old man. "Wait, does that mean I'm-"
"Yes, you are, Helena Potter, welcome to the Pokemon Trainer School." Keith welcomed the newest student to his school. "I'm sure you'll grow into the person you want to be during your time here."
Sceptile agreed with his partner. "Tile, Sceptile."
Keith stands from his desk, holding his cane with a rainbow stone on the center top.
Helena smiles, ecstatic that she was admitted into the school this easily. "Thank you for having me, Headmaster."
"Tell me, Helena do you happen to have a partner Pokemon?" Keith asked the new trainer in his school.
"Partner Pokemon?" Helena tilts her head, confused by the term he used.
"Scep, Sceptile," Sceptile said, causing Helena to look at him.
Keith chuckles, moving to the side to show his partner to the new trainer. "A partner Pokemon is a Pokemon that you develop a strong bond with," The old Headmaster explains, getting approval from his Sceptile.
Helena nodded, getting the who partner thing with Pokemon down. "I see,"
Keith smiles, signaling Sceptile to handle things here. "I assume you don't have at least one Pokemon correct, Helena?" He asked the black-haired teen.
"That's right, you can say I'm a fish out of water." Helena chuckles before pausing at what she said. 'Shoot, was that a saying in this World? Oh, I think I mess it up now!' She mentally panicked.
"Yes, you can say that." Keith chuckles, walking to the door. "Now come along, Ms. Potter. There's someplace I want to take you within the school." He said, urging the young trainer to follow him.
Helena jumps from her seat and agreed to follow the old Gym Leader. "Yes sir!" She quickly follows him into the halls where the Headmaster wants to show her someplace.
In the halls, Helena closely follows Keith wanting to take her somewhere. But until then a small tour of the school is ideal for this.
"Helena, a lot of trainers across the Region come visit our school. Some are here to learn more about Pokemon like Roxanne, Brawly, and Steven." Keith explains to the young trainer who is listening to his words.
"However the majority of trainers are here to challenge the Rustboro Gym, with me as a Gym Leader." Keith further explains his school. "When the trainers come to challenge my Gym we urge them to check the school first before challenging the Gym."
Helena nodded, "I see if you don't mind; what type of Gym is it, Headmaster?" She asked the old man.
Keith turns to face his new student. "Ah, it's a Rock-type Gym; specializes in Rock-type Pokemon." He chuckles, continuing their path in the halls. "Yes, I know that Sceptile is a Grass-type, but that shouldn't say I specialize in Rock-types. Gym Leaders can have a variety of Pokemon, some like the types they specialize in while some only use those types for Gym challenges." He explains to the former Witch.
Helena understands what the old Gym Leader was saying. "I get it now," She smiles.
She looks around the halls, spotting one of the classrooms open. Helena stops to see an instructor lecturing about Pokemon battling to a younger cluster of students.
Helena listens in to the lecture, catching that Pokemon battling isn't just commanding them to do what you want. It's about the bond and trust for each other that really wins a battle.
"I see you heard the lecture by one of our instructors." Keith walks up to Helena,
"Yeah, I didn't realize that you have younger trainers attending the school as well," Helena commented to the students in the classroom.
Keith nodded, "Yes, these students are learning the importance of Pokemon battling beyond the screen of Rotom Phones or television." He informed the young trainer. "Typically these are students that are about to turn ten years old and either want to start their journey or continue their tuition here." He turns around, going back with the tour.
Helena looks around, seeing one of the classes with trainers grooming their Pokemon. "This class teaches Pokemon grooming techniques for those who want to be in the grooming business."
She and the Headmaster stopped by to trainers and Pokemon performing similar to a dance studio. "What are they doing in there, Headmaster?" Helena asked, seeing flips and twirls from Pokemon.
"Ah, those classes are for Pokemon Coordinators for those who want to perform in Pokemon contests," Keith explains, watching the trainers perfecting their routines.
Further along the tour, they arrived at a window where two buildings were side by side to one. The one to the right has blue roofing while the other has a pinkish red one. "Those are the dormitories for trainers who come far to stay. There are other options of living arrangements like hotels for temporary stay or commutes like the children we first saw." He explains to the black-haired girl.
"It's like my old school," Helena commented.
Keith chuckles, "Yes, you do have an option of staying in the girls' dormitories with roommates of course." He added with a smile before leading Helena to the second to last place he wanted to show her on the tour.
"Now, this is where our main reasons why trainers come to my school." Keith opens the door, revealing an arena with some trainers of her age sitting on the bleachers watching the two trainers down at the dirt field.
Lombre vs Makuhita
"Alright, Lombre use Fury Swipes on Makuhita!" A blonde trainer ordered his partner to attack. A bluish humanoid toad Pokemon nodded, facing the opponent.
"Lombre!" Lombre's claws glowed white, slashing the white chubby Pokemon.
The Jolly Pokemon slashed multiple times at Makuhita, however, the Fighting-type was taking in the damage. "Maku…hita…" Makuhita was defending against the multiple slashes from his opponent only damaging the arms.
Helena steps forward, placing her hands on the railings to see the battle taking place. Her eyes look down, seeing the back of a familiar boy then at the Pokemon. "Wait, I know that Pokemon, it's Brawly's." She exclaims.
Brawly heard his name being called out. He turns around and saw Helena looking down at her. "Sup, Helena! Here to watch a battle?" He asked the girl observing him. "Then watch and learn, dudette! Makuhita!"
Makuhita eyes his partner behind him, about to give orders. "Use Focus Punch!" Brawly punches the air indicating the move.
Keith steps next to her, observing his older students. "Some of these trainers have some experience in battle, such as Brawly there." He points to the young surfer.
"Makuhita!" A yellow glow form around Makuhita's fist and punched Lombre in the abdomen.
Lombre was sent flying across the battlefield and stood before his trainer. "Lombre, are you alright?" The trainer asked his partner.
The Jolly Pokemon nodded. "Lombre,"
"Good, then use Bubble Beam then Zen Headbutt!" The trainer ordered his partner.
"Lombre!" A Bubble Beam was shot out from Lombre's mouth, hurling towards the Guts Pokemon, clouding his vision.
Brawly held his fist, "Makuhita! Stand guard!" He ordered his partner.
Makuhita nodded, on edge from the bubbles around him. His eyes widen when Lombre got the jump on him from his right, "Lombre!" The Duel-Type's head glowed pink and slams it against Makuhita.
"Mak-" Makuhita moved his face to the left by the attack, "Hita!" His face moved to the right by a second attack.
"Good job, Lombre!" The trainer cheered for his partner.
Brawly clenched his teeth, seeing his partner on the ground huffing. "Makuhita! Are you alright!?" He asked his partner.
Helena held her hands, seeing Makuhita weaken by the blow. "Oh no, Makuhita," She gasps.
"That's Lombre's Zen Headbutt, a Psychic-type move that's super effective against Fighting-types such as Makuhita," Keith informed the new trainer.
"I see, so Psychic-types are strong against Fighting-types then." Helena looks at the Headmaster.
Keith nodded, "Indeed, Helena. Now let's move along to the last place I want to take you." The Headmaster said before being stopped by Helena.
Helena looks up at the Headmaster, captivated by the battle before her. "Wait, can we see how this plays out?" She asked, a bit excited by the Pokemon battle.
The old Gym Leader chuckles, seeing the gleam of excitement within Helena's green eyes. "Of course, this is the first battle you've seen," Keith stated, placing his cane on the ground. "Now who do you think might win in this Pokemon battle, Helena? Brawly and Makuhita or Jackie and his Lombre?" He asked.
The former Witch thought for a moment, thinking of the moves they've shown. Considering that Lombre used a Ghost-type move against Makuhita it would guarantee a win but that's only one Psychic-type move unless he knows more. "I'm not sure, there are too many variables to this, Headmaster." Helena answers.
"Mmm, then let's watch my dear." Keith smiles,
Makuhita stands back up after a damaging blow. "Makuhita! Hita!" The Pokemon cried out.
Brawly punches the air, "I knew you can recover from that, buddy!" He cheered. "Makuhita, us Focus Energy and wait."
Makuhita nodded, doing a stance while gaining energy.
Jackie saw that Makuhita was preparing for an attack from him and Lombre. "Alright," He thought of a strategy against the opponent and guaranteed a win. "Lombre, use Double Team and Zen Headbutt again!" He ordered.
"Lombre!" The Jolly Pokemon dashed forward, splitting into many copies of himself across the field.
"They multiplied!" Helena jumps, smiling at the abilities these Pokemon have. She looks down to see Makuhita and Brawly remaining calm despite the numbers. "Brawly you can do it,"
Brawly watches the Lombre running towards his partner, waiting for the perfect moment the Lombres ran all over Makuhita, his eyes looked around the field to see which Lombre is the real Lombre.
"Lom…bre!" Brawly's eyes caught the real Lombre with its head glowing pink.
Makuhita saw the Lombre charging at him with Zen Headbutt. He stood still, waiting for his partner's signal. Just as Lombre is about to do his super-effective attack at the Guts Pokemon Brawly cried out.
"Makuhita! Dodge and use Counter!" Brawly ordered.
Makuhita steps to the side as Lombre missed his target. "Mak…" The Guts Pokemon's arms began to glow an orange hue before uppercutting the Water-type in the chest. "Hita!"
"LOMBRE!" The Jolly Pokemon was sent flying back to the blonde trainer.
Lombre hits the dirt field, trying to get up. "Lombre, get up!" Jackie cried, hoping his partner to get up.
Lombre got to his feet, smirking at Makuhita. "Lombre," He smirks.
"Yeah, go Lombre, I know you can…do it?" Jackie jumps back, seeing that his partner Pokemon falls back to the ground. Lombre's eyes were now spirals, unable to battle.
The referee held out a red flag to Jackie. "Lombre is unable to battle, the winner is Makuhita and Brawly!" He announces.
"Yeah, way to go Makuhita!" Brawly ran to his partner as the Fighting-type did the same. Bot gave each other a high-five at their victory.
The trainers around the arena gave applause to the victor, Brawly looks up and grins at Helena.
Helena applauded Brawly and his partner for their win. "That was something, Headmaster Keith. Brawly and Makuhita were in since, even Jackie and Lombre too." She looks at the old Gym Leader.
"Indeed, anyone can challenge one another to see what they learned during their time." Keith points to the instructor over talking to the defeated trainer. "That instructor over there takes notes of the battle between students. He is giving Jackie there some tips on how to improve his battle style and strategy." He explains.
"I see, that seems helpful." Helena nodded,
Keith cleared his throat, turning around to the exit. "Now, there's one more place I want to show you, Helena. It's probably the most important room in the school." The old Gym Leader smiles,
Helena blinks, curious about the room. "What is it, Headmaster?" She asked politely.
After a few moments of walking, the two made it to an indoor daycare center with toys and a few toddler playgrounds. Helena expects this was a daycare center for those who have much younger siblings but it's something else.
Keith walks forward and prostrated his cane before him. "Helena, welcome to the Pokemon daycare. Where first-time trainers will receive their partners for life!" He greeted the young trainer in a room filled with Pokemon of all kinds.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.