AN: Please enjoy the chapter.
Ch 26 The Legends of Hoenn
Steven woke up in the guest room of Juan's home. He heard some voices outside, he walks towards the window and saw Wallace with his Pokemon. "Eh…Wallace must be practicing for tomorrow." He smiles and leaves to use the bathroom.
Outside in the yard, Wallace faced his Pokemon with a smile. Marshtomp and Starmie going over their routine for tomorrow.
"Alright you two, tomorrow's a big day for us." The Champion stated, hearing his Pokemon agree and prepared for going over their routine.
"Wallace, you're going over your routine for tomorrow?" The teal-haired boy turned around, seeing Helena and Roxanne walking up to him.
Wallace greeted his two female friends, "Indeed, we're facing professional Coordinators after all." He looks back at his Partners for this Contest. "We got to be ready for surprises."
Both Starmie and Marshtomp cheered, determined to win for their trainer.
"Seems like those two are ready for the Contest, Wallace," Roxanne commented, seeing their fire.
The teal-haired Champion looks back at his friend, "We've practiced for this," He then noticed the tourist pamphlets in their bags, "Are you two going around Sootoplis City? I've noticed that both of you got pamphlets," He points to their bags.
Helena looks at their bags, seeing their pamphlets sticking out of their bags. "Oh, both me and Roxanne were heading to see the museum and possibly the-"
"Cave of Origins, there's a seminar later in the day about Hoenn's ancient legends," Roxanne added, feeling excited about that event,
"Sounds fun, are Flannery and Brawly joining you-er scratch that." Wallace sighs, crossing his arms. "Knowing those two, they might be off exploring the shops at the market for souvenirs, Potions, Battle Items, and other assortments they need." He commented.
Roxanne nodded, seeing those two heading out earlier. "Well, we are at the last Gym. It said that the Last Gym is the hardest, and Juan's Battle Style is different from the others." She stated, turning to Helena.
"Well, I'm sure everyone will do their best." Helena smiles, having faith in her friends. She looks at the time on her Rotom Phone, "We better get going before we have to wait in line, Roxanne."
The brunette nodded, spinning on her heels with Helena, "We'll see you later, Wallace. Good luck with practice."
Wallace smirks, watching his friends leave the property. "Have fun you two!"
Back inside the mansion, Steven steps out of his bathroom in his fresh clothes. He then went to the kitchen where he asked the chief to prepare special Pokemon food for Steel-types, to which he oblige.
While his Pokemon were eating, Steven went into the dining room where Juan and his Mother were chatting at the table.
Lydia turns around, seeing his Son entering the room. "Steven, good morning." She greeted him.
Juan nodded, sipping his morning coffee. "Care to join us, Steven? I know that your friends are busy today with Wallace practicing for tomorrow and the others going off to town." The Gym Leader asked, seeing he's the only trainer here.
"Alright," Steven sat down with the two adults in the room. After taking his fill, Juan spoke up.
"So, any plans today?" Juan asked the Steel-blue haired boy sitting across from him.
Steven looks at the Gym Leader, "Not really, I've been leaning on training my Pokemon when our Gym Battle. But I feel like we've mastered the strategy already."
Juan nodded, smiling at the fire within his Challenger. "Glad to hear that, Steven."
Lydia smiles, looking at her Son. "Steven, how about you tag along with Helena and Roxanne?" The white-haired woman suggested. "I believe that taking the time to learn about our past is worthwhile,"
Steven ponders about what his Mother suggested,
Before Steven could know it, he found himself heading to the Sootoplis City Museum. 'So in the end I'm really going to follow Helena…' He ponders to himself.
He sighs, trying his best not to be in the way of Helena's path to find herself. But he always finds himself being with her every step, not that he'd mind.
To be frank with himself, he enjoys spending time with her. Something about her is alluring to him, like a mystery that remains unsolved.
Steven looks ahead, seeing many people and Pokemon out and about in the City. He looks at the street signs if he was on the right street where the Sootoplis Museum is.
Then he noticed the long line on the left side of the street. The line was up to the store's edge next to the museum.
His Steel-blue eyes caught two familiar figures standing before him.
"Which exhibit do you want to check first, Ellie?" Roxanne asked, excited to be checking out the history of Sootoplis that she didn't realize she call her friend by her nickname.
Helena giggles, checking the pamphlet. "Mmm, oh there's an exhibit about the creation of the Legendary Pokemon." She points to the cave painting the Museum recently discovered. "That seems interesting."
Roxanne agreed with her friend, "That would." She smiles before noticing Steven coming up to them. "Steven? What a surprise to see you here."
"Hey, Roxanne, Helena. Have you two been planning this before?" Steven asked, indicating that he heard their conversation.
"Oh no, we just saw the pamphlet for the Museum at the port and figured to check it out," Helena explains to the Steel-blue haired boy.
"And let's not forget about the seminar about the Cave of Origins." Roxanne squeaks.
Steven chuckles, placing his hand on the side. "If you don't mind then can I join? I'm technically free in my schedule." He gave a cheeky expression,
Roxanne pouts, not liking how he always gives an expression. "Why do you always make that face whenever you joke about things?" She groans, finding that annoying about him.
However, Helena giggled when Steven gave his silly expression. Roxanne looked at her like she'd grown a second head, "Sorry, sorry, that face you made…it's funny." She covers her mouth.
"See? Helena likes it when I did that." Steven gave the same silly expression to Roxanne.
The brunette rolled her eyes as they lay on Helena who continued giggling. Roxanne sighs, seeing that Steven has already gotten to her.
Suddenly the line started to move. "Ah, they're letting people inside the Museum," Roxanne stated,
"Let's go, I'm excited to see the exhibit." Helena smiles, following the crowd into the Museum with her friends.
(Insert Piofiore Soundtrack - Where You Reside)
Inside the Sootoplis Museum was a large crowd of tourists and many researchers for the exhibit. The group made their way to the Fossil exhibit first before heading to the Cave Painting.
Helena steps forward to the glass that laid out different sizes of Root Fossils. Above the case was a painting of Lileeps and Cradilies in a prehistoric Hoenn Region.
Beside the Root Fossil exhibit was the Claw Fossil exhibit. Like the Root Fossils, there was a case of Claw Fossils with another painting above it. It was Anoriths and Armaldos in the same prehistoric habitat as the Lileeps and Cradilies.
Helena smiles, though she knew about Fossil Restoration; it's still amazing that the people of this World were able to bring back extinct Pokemon from ancient times. She sighs, knowing that Hermione would love to know about this.
"Checking out the Fossils are we, Helena?" Helena turns to the side,
Roxanne approached her, and in her hand was another pamphlet that she got when they entered the Museum. "Considering that I've only seen Steven's Cradily but never a fossilized version of it," Helena commented.
The brunette leans forward at the case, seeing the Root Fossils on display. "Helena, I think you got it wrong with the Fossils," Roxanne pointed out.
"Hmm? What do you mean? Aren't these Lileeps and Cradilies Fossils?" Helena looks at her friend, confused about what she meant.
"There's only a little Fossil evidence of Cradily, only Root Fossils or Lileeps are common to find when Fossil Hunting." Steven walks forward, stepping next to the girls. "Lileep was given to me when she was just Root Fossil before she was revived. My Parents gave that Fossil to me as a parting gift for my Journey." He chuckles, remembering that day well.
"I see, your Parents must really love you that much if they gave you a Fossil." The black-haired trainer commented, a bit sad that she didn't have that kind of love from her own. They would give her something for any special occasion if they were still alive.
"Helena?"
Helena looks up at Steven, hearing him calling her name. "Mmm?"
Steven has a worried expression on his face, and seeing her face frowns. "Are you okay? Your face just frowned." He asked worriedly,
The former Witch shook her head, slapping her cheeks. She gave a bright smile at Steven and Roxanne. "I'm fine, nothing to worry about." She stated before heading to the next exhibit. "Let's keep going! Lots to see, right?"
Roxanne looks at Steven whom both seemed worried about their friend. Without hesitation, they followed Helena through the Museum exhibits.
The three saw many relics, Fossils, and old paints from famous artists from the Hoenn Region and beyond.
Soon the group made their way to the newest exhibit, a recent discovery by a certain powder-blue-haired Researcher and her assistant.
Reporters, fellow Researchers, and people gathered around the large Cave Painting on display.
Helena, Roxanne, and Steven walked into the exhibit, seeing two familiar faces. "Ah, why if it isn't the students from the Trainer School."
The three smile upon seeing Katelyn and Wyscan standing in front of the Cave Painting.
"Wyscan, Katelyn, it's good to see you two!" Roxanne greeted the two Researchers.
Katelyn walks forward, greeting the young trainers. "Same for us, however, I believe that Wyscan met up with you many times before." She turns to the blonde man.
Wyscan chuckles, rubbing the back of his head. "What can you say? It was a coincidence that they were at the places I visited." The blonde Researcher stated.
"Yeah, those were coincidences. Speaking of which, is Lusamine with you two?" Helena smiles, thinking that she was with the group.
Katelyn shook her head, responding to Helena's question. "No, unfortunately, she returned to the Alola Region for her research," The powder-blue-haired woman explains to the group.
"I see," The former Witch smiles, a bit disappointed that she didn't get a chance to see Lusamine. "Well, I hope her research goes well."
"Knowing her and Mohn, they will face challenges with each other." Katelyn smiles before turning to the Cave Painting behind her, "I take it you all have come here for this Cave Painting?" She motions to the ancient wall art depicting an ancient legend.
Steven, Helena, and Roxanne step forward, looking at the Cave Painting. "This Cave Paint tells the legend of the two large Pokemon, one that expands the Seas and the other expands the Land," Katelyn informed the young group.
"Kyogre, the Sea Basin Pokemon," Roxanne commented, seeing a brownish-blue painting of an Orca.
"And Groudon, the Continent Pokemon," Steven added, seeing the brownish-red painting of a Dinosaur.
Helena looked confused, never heard those names before. She has read the Trainer School's many books, but she never encountered that Legend before. "I'm sorry, I haven't read that legend yet." She spoke out.
Steven and Roxanne turned to Helena; a bit shocked that she didn't get to that part. "Are you serious? Pretty much everyone knows about that Legend." Roxanne said with shock.
"W-Well, considering that you were busy with training your Pokemon, our traveling, and your personal research on Hisuian Pokemon." Steven scratches the back of his head. "I-It's understandable that you haven't been caught up with the legends yet…"
(End song)
Helena nodded, willing to hear the Legend of Hoenn Region. "Do you mind telling it?" She looks at Katelyn.
The powder-blue-haired woman nodded, turning to Wyscan. "Wyscan, do you mind or should I?" Katelyn asked her assistant to tell the legend of the Cave Painting.
"I believe it should be you who should tell our young friends," The blonde Researcher smiles, offering the honor to the Researcher he's been assisting.
"Very well, I'll tell you the Legend that is described in the Painting.
The story goes…before there was a vast Ocean, ever-expanding and Lands forming. Eventually, these two Legendary Pokemon created the Hoenn Region and the other Regions. With such influence on the World, these Pokemon often met and clash causing a drastic change in the environment, until the…
"Until what, Katelyn?" Helena asked, curious about what happened when the two Legendries clashed. However, she could tell that the Cave Painting was really old and incomplete.
Katelyn sighs, looking at the invested trainer. "Unfortunately that's what we can get from the Cave Painting. The rest was damaged when we discovered and excavated it."
Wyscan smiles at the outcome when every Researchers discovered something huge. "That's the many risks we Researchers fear." He turns to the old Cave Painting, "There's always some sort of risk when extracting relics of the past."
"I completely agree with that," Steven could relate with the two, "It happens to me sometimes whenever I go spelunking for rare stones." He commented.
Helena always thought that these types of relics of the past were fragile. However, she never knew how fragile they could be even before the excavation.
Wyscan smiles at Helena, "Word of advice, when an ancient Cave Painting gets stuck, it's best to have a Water-type Pokemon who can use Bubble Beam on standby." He winks at the three.
"Why would we need a Pokemon who can use Bubble Beam?" Steven asked, not getting the concept.
"You'd be surprised how easy taking this hunk of History with a little Bubble…" Wyscan chuckles,
The group couldn't help but giggle at the joke he made.
"Interesting, very interesting," A tan man wearing a black sailor outfit and a blue bandana stood next to the Researchers and trainers. Around his neck was an anchor necklace with a familiar Key Stone.
The guy turned to face the group and smiled, "Don't mind me. I'm just appreciating the legends of our Region." He stated, turning around to a tan woman with black hair and blue highlights in similar clothing as him. "Come, Shelly."
"Yes, Archie," Shelly responded, following the strange man.
They watched as the strangely dressed man and woman left the exhibit. "That was strange," Roxanne commented, finding those two strange.
Katelyn nodded, crossing her arms. "Yes, I didn't think I saw them in the entrance ceremony earlier." She added before looking back at the young group of trainers. "In any case, you three are also heading to the seminar at the Cave of Origins after this?"
Helena nodded, responding to her Researcher friend. "Yes, it sounds interesting. The reason why we're here to see the Cave Painting exhibit is to get a bit of insight into what to expect there." She explains to their powder-blue-haired friend.
"I see, that's a good call you three made," Katelyn commented with a smile, she looks at the time. "Speaking of the seminar, it's about time you all should start heading over there." She informed the group.
Steven looked at his watch, seeing it was almost time for the seminar. "She's right, we better leave if we want to catch the beginning of it." He said to the two girls.
Wyscan held his hand on his chest, wanting to say something to them. "I'm curious about the seminar, if you may can I join you?" The blonde man smiles, "I'm a Researcher too, you know?" He chuckles at his little joke.
Steven looks at the girls who were accepting Wyscan's request.
"The more, the merrier." Roxanne agreed,
"Always happy to have another friend along," Helena added,
The Steel-blue haired boy turns back to the blonde Researcher who saw them approving his request. "Then the only thing to do is to welcome you to the group."
"Happy to join," Wyscan gave a grateful expression to the kind trainers.
With that, the group headed to the Cave of Origins. They spent midmorning and the afternoon looking at other exhibits that they almost forgot about the seminar. Upon arrival, they were met by a large number of people there for the seminar.
Helena was amazed at how many people have taken up an interest in the seminar. "Look at how many people are here; you think they are here for the seminar?" She asked her friends next to her.
"Well it seems logical; I mean there are chairs around the entrance of the Cave of Origins." Roxanne points to the folding chairs neatly scattered on sacred grounds.
"I'm curious," The former Witch looks at the Cave of Origins, noticing the huge stone doors in the Cave's mouth. "What's inside of the Cave?"
Steven shrugs, only hearing legends about it. "Many say there's a relic that the ancients store away. Some say it's some power that was sealed away in the Cave." He explains to his friends what he knows so far about the Cave of Origins.
Wyscan held his finger to his lips, shushing the group. "Ssshhh, it's starting." He smiles,
Everyone turned their attention to the entrance of the Cave of Origins. A young blonde curly haired man in white robes and wearing a small white hat. Walking up to the entrance of the Cave of Origins and faced the crowd. "Greetings and salutations everyone, I welcome you to the traditional seminar on the origins of the Hoenn Region."
The young man held his hand on his chest, "I am Temple Keeper Arlo. It's with great honor to be the one who spreads the Lore of our beloved Region to its people." The Temple Keeper announced, welcoming everyone who gathered around the Cave. "Now with the setting Sun, I shall indulge you a tale of old,"
Everyone quiet down, watching as two Temple Maidens lit the fires on the pyres for dramatic effects.
The Temple Keeper cleared his throat and looked upon the crowd.
Many years ago, after the creation of the lands and sea. A large Meteor crashed into the crust creating what's known as the crater of Sootoplis City.
The impact of the Meteor spews out powerful energy that awoken both Legendary Pokemon, the Continent Pokemon, Groudon, and the Sea Basin Pokemon, Kyogre. Eventually, these two met and fought once more.
This caused a Calamity that affected not only the World but also people and Pokemon alike. Thus the only thing that the people can do was pray,
An emerald light broke through the heavens, and Rayquaza the Sky High Pokemon came down in response quelleduell the fighting. To prevent the same Calamity from ever happening again, they sealed both Kyogre and Groudon's power in two orbs.
Furthermore, the ancient Sootopolitans have been protecting the Cave of Origins. Keeping watch and ensuring the same Calamity will never happen.
"To this day, we, the people of Hoenn, are grateful for Rayquaza's intervention and our ancestors' dedication to keeping the Hoenn Region safe." Temple Keeper Arlo finished his tale, "Once again, we thank you for coming. Please, use the remainder of the time to speak to one of the Temple people if you have any questions." Arlo smiles at the people, urging them to be involved.
"What an interesting tale," Wyscan smiles, looking at his friends next to him.
Helena nodded; however, she was curious about how the Legendary Pokemon was able to quell two other Legendries. "It's fascinating, but it does draw many questions. How can Rayquaza be able to calm both Pokemon and what power has he got to do so…"
"That's an interesting question, young lady." Everyone looked to the side where a red-haired man dressed in a red trench coat and red sweater with boots was. He has a unique pair of glasses, on the side was a Key Stone.
"Two powerful Pokemon, one who rules over the Seas and the other the land." The red-haired man ponders, looking at the Temple Keeper. "But what power do these two come in contact with…an interesting topic indeed." He walks away, leaving the confused group.
Helena looks at her friends, curious about another strange encounter. "Do you guys find it strange that we met two strange people appearing out of the blue?" She asked.
Roxanne nodded, agreeing with her friend. "Now that you mention it, it does seem weird…or just a coincidence." She shrugs it off, not paying any mind to it.
"Hey, it's getting late soon. You two want to get some dinner before heading back?" Steven asked his two female friends.
"Sure, Wyscan?" Helenna asked the blonde man.
Wyscan declined, "Sorry, but I got other work to do back at the museum." He walks off alone, waving at the young trainers to themselves.
"Okay, see you later Wyscan." Helena and the others waved the blonde off before heading to the restaurants to dine.
AN: We're close to the end of Helena's Hoenn Journey before going on to the next. Those are going to be one-shot adventures before returning to back to Hoenn. She'll be the one who'll discover Primal Reversion and the Cave Painting in Granite Cave. Another thing is which Evil Team would be the one who kidnaps her and the research on it.
Team Aqua
Team Magma