AN: Please enjoy the chapter.

Ch 14 School Festival

"Alright, that's all for today." The teacher informed her class about Pokemon habitats. "If you have a chance, got to the Petalburg Forest. From there, take your time to look around your surroundings, and see what the Pokemon's lifestyle they have."

Once the teacher said that everyone closed their books for this class. The teacher was packing her own things before leaving the classroom.

"Man, that was a long class!" Flannery places her hands behind her head. "I thought I might fall asleep!"

Helena gave a bright smile, holding her hands up. "Flannery, it wasn't too bad." She gave a light chuckle, "You know I'm right," She playfully said.

The red-haired girl's red eyes looked at the ceiling of their classroom. "Yeah, you are right." Flannery sighs, "Though I prefer to know what Pokemon living in extreme climates. It makes me curious about how they even survive there."

"Didn't you say you caught your Slugma near Mt Chimney, Flannery?" Roxanne popped her head between both Helena and the heir of Lavaridge Town's Gym.

"Yeah, two actually. Meg and Mag, the two were just hanging out at the entrance to the Mountain when I was heading to the school. I happen to have some extra Pokemon food on me for Torkoal, so I gave them some."

Flannery told how she met her two Slugmas to her two friends. "From there, they followed me up to the end of the Route, and that is where I decided to take them with me. As the next Fire-type Gym Leader of my family's Gym, I have a duty to train strong Fire-type Pokemon to challenge the trainers who challenge the Gym," She said proudly.

"What a nice story," Helena smiles, happy to hear how her friend got their Pokemon.

"We pretty much treat Pokemon as our equals," Roxanne looked over to Helena. "If we want to live together with Pokemon, we must treat them as another person."

Helena agreed, always treating both Dratini and Kirlia like one of her friends. "I totally agree with you," She commented.

The three girls got up from their seats, heading to the exit. "Say, you girls want to head out for lunch? I heard there's this new place that's serving this new sandwich." Flannery informed her friends.

"Didn't you eat a full brunch not too long ago?" Helena asked her red-haired friend. "It's only turned two o'clock."

"Yeah, but that's brunch. This is lunch, two completely different things!" Flannery exclaimed happily,

Roxanne sighs, placing her hand on the former Witch's shoulder. "(Try not to question it, we've been trying to understand her, but it's much easier to nod and go with it.)" The brunette smiles.

Helena giggles, finding it funny. "I'll try," She smiles at her friend, and in return, Roxanne smiles back.

"Come on girls, let's go before the line gets to-"

-ZZZ- Attention all students, please make your way to the Battlefield for an important assembly from the Headmaster. -ZZZ-

Flannery groans, hearing one of the school's staff on the speaker. "Really? Now?" She pouts, feeling her stomach growling. "Just when we're about to go to lunch." She whines, holding her stomach.

"I'm sure it'll be short, Flannery." Helena comforts her red-haired friend. "Right after the Headmaster's assembly, we can go to that place you wanted to go." She ensures Flannery that they'll go right after this assembly.

Flannery groans, but ultimately agreed with Helena. Who knows how long the assemble this one is, the last one is the welcoming assemble for new younger students in the beginners class which were long. It was pretty much an orientation where the more experienced trainers like herself lead the students around the school.

"I guess you're right, Elie." Flannery sighs, trying to ignore the hunger pain she's having. Her red eyes shift to Roxanne, pondering to herself. "Roxanne, what's up?" She asked.

"Is something on your mind?" Helena asked her friend.

The brunette looks at her two friends, seeing them with a curious expression. "It's nothing serious, I just feel like there is something important that Headmaster Keith told me during my tutor session." Roxanne shrugs, already forgetting it. "But I'm sure the Headmaster will explain when we get to the Battlefield."

Helena nodded, "I'm sure too-"

"Okay, that's enough chatting girls, it's time we go!" Flannery points to the end of the hallway, "The quicker we head to the Battlefield, the quicker we get food!" The red-haired trainer rushed down the halls to get in first to the Battlefield.

Both Helena and Roxanne looked at each other as Flannery went ahead of them. They burst into laughter Flannery's another outburst. "That's Flannery for you," Roxanne smiles.

"Always in a rush in a hungry mood," Helena continued, laughing at their friend's quirks. "Let's catch up with her, you know what she would say if we're not there." The former Witch started to walk down the halls.

"Now that isn't something I want to see in this state." Roxanne smiles, following her friend to the Battlefield for the Headmaster's assembly.

Steven sat with Brawly and Wallace, he looked around the Battlefield seeing every student have made it. Some students and staff are entering the Battlefield, but it was pretty much packed already. "What do you think this is about?" He turns to Brawly, hearing his question.

"I heard it's something important from the teachers talking in the hall," Wallace answered, leaning forward to look at his friend. "They were not good at talking quietly in the halls," He chuckles.

"Whatever it is, we all know Headmaster Keith deemed it important," Steven commented on the topic.

"Helena! Over here!" Steven turns around, hearing Helena's name being called. He turned around, seeing the trainer that Brawly battled against a few weeks ago.

The Steel blue-haired boy looks to the side where Helena was with their friends.

Helena heard her name and saw a familiar blonde boy standing across from her. Jackie was waving at her and her friends, indicating to sit where he was. "Hello Jackie," She greeted her blonde friend.

The former Witch and her friends sat next to Jackie, "It's been a while," Helena conversed with the young trainer.

"Oh you know, studying Pokemon habitats, how to battle with them; basic stuff." Jackie waved his hand in the air. His green eyes looked at Helena, "What about you? What have you been up to lately?" The blonde boy asked his friend.

Helena looked up at the ceiling, there was a lot she was doing since they got back from Professor Birch's Lab. She was doing her thing while keeping up with her studies in school. "Just keeping up with my studies and personal research."

Jackie smiles, hearing what she was doing. "That's good and personal research? That sounds intriguing." The blonde boy commented on what she was doing. "So, what kind of research?"

"Didn't I say it's personal?" Helena giggled, playfully glaring t him.

"Aw, well that's a shame. I was hoping to learn something from you." Jackie gave a charming smile at the rookie trainer causing her to giggle.

Flannery place her head on Helena's shoulder, looking at the trainer who battled against Brawly. "Say, Jackie do you know what this assemble all about?" The red-haired girl asked her fellow trainer.

Jackie shook his head, having no clue what was going on. "No clue, this is a mystery for me as well." The blonde responded.

"Huh, I guess we'll find out soon." Flannery hums, turning back to the Battlefield. "Arceus, what's taking so long?" She groans, getting impatient with all this waiting around.

Brawly chuckled beneath the girls, hearing their hot-headed friend complaining above them. "Flannery, chill…good things will come for those who wait." The young surfer bends his head back, looking at her.

Flannery scoffs, crossing her arms. "Shut up Brawly," She glares down at the sky-blue-haired beneath her.

Brawly blinks, staring at the red-haired girl behind him. "Mmm? You just noticed we were here?" The young surfer smirks at the heir of Lavaridge Town's Gym.

"Tch, of course, we knew you three are here." Flannery clicked her tongue, continuing to glare at him. "It's hard to miss your hair colors from the entrance," She pointed out t

"W-Wait, you knew?" Wallace looked at the girls.

Roxanne nodded, "It so happened that Jackie was sitting a seat away from you." She motions to the blonde boy speaking with their rookie friend,

Wallace nodded, now noticing Jackie. "Ah, I see, I guess we're preoccupied with what's happening to notice." He turns to his rival, still eyeing Jackie and talking with Jackie. He chuckled, seeing the small glare from his eyes.

'Wow, this is a rare sight.' The teal-haired Champion smiles, seeing something he never saw before from him. 'Seems like our little Stevie is jealous…' Wallace chuckled softly so the others can't hear him.

"H-Helena…" Steven called her name.

Helena paused, looking down at Steven hearing him calling her. "Yes, Steven?" She smiles brightly at him.

Steven blushed, not sure why he called her. He opened his mouth only to be interrupted by a darkening room.

Suddenly two spotlights shined on Keith and a man with blue going to dirty blonde hair, kept in a messy ponytail with one strand over his chocolate brown eyes. He has a golden choker around his neck and wore a black shirt inside a dark blue jacket. The man wore down jeans and black shoes that reach an inch away from his ankles.

Helena blinks, seeing a new face next to their Headmaster. "Who is he?" She leans to Brawly, sitting before her. "I've never seen him before," She asked her friend.

Brawly looks back at his black-haired friend, "That's right, you haven't met him yet. His name is Adam Ceder he's a Pokemon researcher here in the school and Assistant to the Headmaster." The young Surfer explained to the new girl.

"He was at Mt Pyre researching the old ruins at the time you arrived, Helena." Flannery continued, hearing talk about him a while ago. "He once lived in the Sinnoh Region with his sister but moved here to learn about Hoenn's legends and myths."

Helena liked the sound of that class, Pokemon Legends, and Myths. If Hermione was here with her, she would properly blow a gasket with this class. She smiles knowing that she won't see one of her friends for a long time.

The former Witch shook her head, focusing on what was happening now. "So he's an instructor here? Why didn't I see his name on the roster?" She asked her friends.

"That's right, his classes were on hold until he got back from his research trip." Jackie snaps his fingers, remembering what he said before the day of his trip. "The Headmaster probably remove his course for the time being since he does come back in a week or a month." He informed the black-haired trainer.

"It depends on what kind of research the Professor is doing," Steven added, turning back to the Battlefield and hearing the speakers turned on.

"Welcome. To. Bond Week!" The two men announced to the entire student body.

Everyone cheered, knowing what this week is. However, those who recently joined the Trainer School do not.

Keith steps forward, looking around the bleachers. "Every month we have a week dedicated to yourselves and Partners to develop a strong bond beside from battling." He looks over to Adam, smiling at him. "But before l continue, I'd like to welcome back our Pokemon researcher, Professor Adam Ceder from his researching trip."

Adam smirks, hearing the welcome applause from the school. "Wow, I didn't expect this warm of a welcome." He laughs, placing both his hands on his side. "Hey everyone, it's great to be back at the Trainer School. I missed this place, though it was just a month and a half." He chuckled.

The messy-haired man cleared his throat, returning to the topic at hand. "Ahem, now…Bond Week." Adam announced, "As the Headmaster stated, Bond Week is a way to bond with your Pokemon."

"Now each Bond Week has a theme to it. Last Bond Week theme was A Night in Kalos, a ball for Pokemon and trainers." Adam said, reminding those of the last Bond Week. "Like always, the Bond Week's theme will be different."

Keith took over, smiling at his students. "This Week's theme is going to be…A Grand Celebration!" The old Gym Leader announced to the entire audience. "This theme revolves around the New Year Festival at Lavaridge Town to celebrate New Year."

Everyone in the Battlefield nodded, liking the sound of the theme for Bond Week. Adam looked around, picking up where the Headmaster left off. "For this Bond Week, you can choose your team or choose to work alone." Adam continued with the details.

"Remember this is not a competition, it's a chance to bond with your Pokemon." Keith reminded the student body of the purpose of this event. "Once you decided where to work and post it on the bulletin, a teacher will be sent to supervise your progress tomorrow."

Adam raises his hand, "And with that, I announce Bond Week begins…now!"

Everyone in the bleachers got up and search for the people they want to work with for this event.

Helena looked around, the sudden rush of everyone getting up from their seats. She was separated from her friends when everyone got out of the Battlefield.

She walked around, seeing her fellow students already found their group. A few students have decided to work solo for this event. Helena's head turned left and right, searching for her friends.

"Where could they be…" Helena said to herself, walking around the hall. She jumps upon feeling someone's hand on her shoulder. "GAH!"

Helena turns around to see whoever touch her from the back. Flannery was behind her, pulling back her arm. "Yo, we've lost you there for a moment Helena." The red-haired girl chuckled.

Helena sighs in relief, "Flannery, you scared me." She looks behind Flannery to see Roxanne, Jackie, and Wallace standing behind her looking at her.

"Sorry, Elie, but we were looking for you in the crowd." Wallace waved at her, apologizing on the group's behalf for spooking her.

Helena waved his hand at the group. "It's alright, I was looking for all of you actually." She admits to the group.

"Really? Wow, what a coincidence." The red-haired trainer laughed, crossing her arms. "Anyways, we wanted to know if you're working alone or with another group," Flannery asked.

"Steven and Brawly are working as a pair as always," Roxanne informed the former Witch. "Plus, we kinda need a fifth member of our group for our project." She added,

"And I suggested you join us," Jackie added to his group's statement. He held up his hand to her, indicating their project will be fun. "You're going to like it, Helena. It's going to be fun for us!" He exclaims with excitement.

Helena blinks at them, curious about what they have in mind. "Mind if I ask what you guys have planned?" She asked politely.

The next day wasn't like any other school day; the school day or rather a week is dedicated to the school's event.

Helena's group met up in an empty classroom, everyone had their Partners out. Wallace has his second Partner Mudkip, Flannery has her Torkoal, Roxanne has her Nosepass, and Jackie has his Lombre.

Kirlia was on her lap sitting with everyone else.

Wallace slams his hands on the teacher's desk, "ALRIGHT EVERYONE! LISTEN UP!" He announced.

Mudkip jumps, hearing his trainer shout. "Mudkip,"

Helena leans into Flannery, confused with this arrangement. "(I thought it was you who's leading the group?)" She whispers to her red-haired friend.

"(Yeah…you may think that, but the last time was my turn.)" Flannery whispered back to the black-haired girl. She smiles, proud of what she did last month. "(It was a dunking booth where if you get three in a row you win a prize.)" She told her what they did last time.

"(That sounds fun,)" Helena's eyes widen, hearing what they did last time during Bond Week. "Right Kirlia?" She looks down at her Partner, who also heard the tale.

Kirlia nodded, finding it interesting. "Kirlia."

"Ahem, if I could have the room…" Wallace cleared his throat at the group.

The two girls jumped hearing the teal-haired Champion cough. "Sorry, Wally." Helena apologizes to their friend.

"I was just telling her what we did the last time for Bond Week!" Flannery gave a light chuckle at the flamboyant teen.

Wallace sighs, shaking her head, "We don't have much time for reminiscing about the last Bond Week project." The Champion stated, looking at his group.

"Wallace's right, we only have a week to pull this off." Roxanne supported Wallace's statement, "The last time we were pretty close on the final day," She stated.

Flannery groans, remembering that moment from the last Bond Week. "We didn't even have anything to throw at the target, it was lucky that Steven thought of using Pokemon moves to hit the target." The red-haired trainer stated.

"Torkoal!" The Fire-type agreed, remembering that problem.

Jackie nodded, "Let's not try cutting that close like last time," the blonde looks over to Wallace, thinking he already has an idea. "So, what idea do you have for this Bond Week?" He asked the Champion.

The Champion smirks, always wanting to do this since he arrived at the Trainer School a few months back. "We'll be setting up a Café, a Maid Café!" Wallace announced,

"….Eh?"

After a few minutes of explanation from the Champion of his plans, Helena stood from her seat. "So, you want us to dress up as Maids and Butlers to serve guests that'll be coming?" The former Witch asked her teal-haired friend.

Wallace proudly nodded, confirming that she repeated what he said to him. "Yep, that's right. A Maid Café, and I already have the uniforms for it! Based on the Pokemon Indeedee from the Galar Region!" He announced,

Roxanne sighs, finding this a bit off and yet intriguing. "This has to o with your fixation on Maid Cafés ever since we went to that Café in Slateport City." The brunette stated.

"Nose," Nosepass agreed, being there for that moment. "Nosepass, Nosepass…"

"See, even Nosepass thinks this is a little too much for Bond Week," Roxanne argues with the Champion.

Wallace frowns, looking at everyone. "Hey, didn't you guys want to work with me on this?" The teal-haired boy asked, "I even told you that we're going to serve food and drinks to everyone who's going to visit the school."

Jackie crosses his arms, "All you said is that not putting a Maid Café." The blonde trainer stated. "Right Lombre?"

"Lombre,"

"You will not be seeing me in a maid outfit even if I get paid," Flannery frowns, not wanting to wear a long skirt or a headdress while serving refreshments to visitors.

Wallace held his hands together, giving the group sad a puppy dog look. "Please…you all went for Steven's idea for a dunking booth…and I spent money on the outfits already…" He blinks a few fake tears, hoping this will snare them.

Mudkip patted Wallace's leg, comforting his trainer on the rejection. "Mud, Mudkip…"

Everyone saw the eyes, now feeling guilty about their rejection of his idea. They looked away from Wallace, not wanting to see his puppy-dog eyes.

Helena sighs, feeling bad for the rejection of Wallace's idea for Bond Week.

Suddenly the door opened causing everyone to look at the door. "Well, it seems you all are already discussing what to do for Bond Week." There, leaning on the doorframe stood Adam Ceder, the Professor for the school.

"Professor, you're the teacher that will be supervising us?" Flannery asked the blue and blonde-haired Professor.

The young man chuckled, placing his hands on his side. "Yep, I've been assigned to you guys." Adam smiles brightly at the students. "I also overheard your conversation, as the teacher and your supervisor, I highly suggest that you all cooperate. Remember this isn't only bonding with your Pokemon, but with your group too." He reminds everyone in the room,

Helena nodded, turning to her Bond Week group. "Professor Ceder is right,"

"Kirlia," Kirlia agreed, and so did everyone while standing next to her Partner.

"Wallace," Helena turns to the Champion, accepting his idea for their project. "Can you continue with your explanation?" She asked politely, genuinely wanting to know more.

Wallace smiles, happy to share his idea with everyone and so he did.

Helena stands at the side, hearing Wallace explaining to everyone about the Café plan he has once more with details. "Kirlia," She looks down at her Partner, nodding at her.

"Thank you for that, Kirlia. I knew this was the right thing to do." Helena picked up the Duel-type in her arms. "Wallace is really passionate with his idea of his, and after him explaining it more; it really sounds like it's going to be fun."

"Kirlia," Kirlia happily smiles, excited for the day when they're going to execute the idea.

Helena giggles, hearing Kirlia's excited cry. "I see you're excited about it. I'm sure Dratini would be too," The former Witch smiles,

"I'm glad that you were able to convince everyone to go with Wallace's plan for Bond Week." Adam stood beside the rookie trainer. "It's nice to see people working together, it's also great to see people and Pokemon doing the same thing too." The blue and blonde man said.

"Yes, it's very nice, Professor." Helena agreed with him.

Adam's brown eyes looked at Helena, leaning on the wall behind them. "So, you must be Helena I've heard about from my colleagues. I must say, your interest in researching ancient Hisui and other Regions is intriguing."

Helena turned to the Professor, hearing what he said. "W-Well, it's interesting. It's something I do on the side from time to time…"

"I see, well to tell you the truth I also research Pokemon that came from Hisui too," Adam explains to the young trainer. "I do happen to be a descendant of the people who lived in Hisui before they changed the name to Sinnoh. My sister is too, but she's in Sinnoh researching with the Champion of the Region." The young man added.

"Really? You, a descendant?" Helena asked, bewildered to meet someone from the Hisuian people. In fact, this guy kinda looked like the Diamond Clan leader she read further in her book.

Helena smiles, actually meeting a descendant who happens to be an instructor in the school. "That's amazing, it's an honor to meet you."

"Kirlia," Kirlia greeted the Professor too as a sign of respect and friendship.

Adam smiles, feeling a bit of pride from her greeting. "The honor is all mine," The blue and blonde hair man greeted back. Suddenly an idea came to mind after speaking with her. "Say, since you're researching Hisui and possibly other ancient Pokemon Regional forms; how do you like to be my apprentice?" He offered Helena, seeing her potential clear as day,

Helena froze, hearing the offer that the Professor is giving to her. There are many ups and downs to this, one is learning about Regional forms of Pokemon; both new and ancient. The downside is that it might get in the way of the journey she was on. "So?"

"What do you say? Want to be my apprentice, Helena?" Adam asked again,

Helena opened her mouth, about to respond to his offer. "I…"

AN: How do you like it? What will Helena's answer be to the offer? Please leave a comment or review.