AN: Enjoy the chapter,
Ch 39 The Lunchbreak
Banette's body began to change, his hands enlarged into big mouths with zippers. Another mouth formed at the legs, similar to his hands.
Zippers appeared around his crest and traveled half of his face. The light disburses, revealing a bigger, scarier version of Banette standing before Steven and Metagross.
"Banette…" The Ghost-type giggled, unzippering the mouths, letting three magenta fingers slip out. His legs also slipped out of the mouth, revealing a pair of magenta legs.
Phoebe giggled, placing her hand over her mouth. "How do you like my Mega Banette, Steven?" The Elite Four Member asked the Challenger. "Powerful, is he not? This is the bond given form between me and Banette." She smiled.
Steven took a good look at Mega Banette, he has to admit. Banette's Mega Evolved form is a bit frightening to those who see him.
"Well, that form is the definition of a Ghost-type Pokemon," Steven commented on Banette's Mega Evolved form. "If I'm being honest here, Banette is scarier in this form."
"That's kind of you to say," The dark-haired girl smiles, placing both her hands behind her back. "A Champion must face fear no matter the situation; I chose to use Ghost-type Pokemon to challenge Challengers."
Steven nodded, understanding Phoebe's job as the second Elite Four Member. "I understand, Phoebe." He reached for his Mega Stock with a smile. "I appreciate your advice. Since you showed your bond with Banette, allow me to show you ours."
He took out his Mega Stock, planting his lips on his Key Stone. "Sparkling Stone, give our Bond form!" The Key Stone reacted to Steven's touch as a light began to shine brightly from the Key Stone.
"Metagross," Steven held his Mega Stock towards his Metagross. The Metagrossite around Metagross's leg began to glow. A bright shine from the reaction of Steven's Key Stone.
Like before, Metagross began to change into his Mega Evolve form. The light disburse as the Mega Evolution symbol appeared before disappearing.
"Meta!" The Duel-type went into his Battle position, ready to Battle.
Steven placed his Mega Stock back in his pocket. "Wow, what a beautiful Mega Evolution!" Phoebe commented, holding her hand to her mouth. "I can feel the Bond between you and your Pokemon from here."
"Thanks, now wanna continue the Battle?" Steven asked the newest member of the Elite Four.
Phoebe giggled, swaying back and forth, and nodded to Steven's offer. "Of course, this is the last Round for our match." The Ghost-type trainer smiles brightly, "Let's give it our all!"
Steven nodded, "Metagross, Meteor Mash!" He ordered.
"Meta!" The Iron Leg Pokemon's arms went into a position before launching himself toward the opponent.
"Banette, Phantom Force to dodge!" Phoebe smiles at her Partner.
"Banette…" The Marionette Pokemon giggled, his body became translucent and morphed into the shadows like before.
Metagross missed Banette by a second as Banette leaps out from behind the Duel-type Pokemon. "Metagross, turn around and charge!" Steven shouted,
In a quick motion, Metagross changed his trajectory and charged once more from behind.
Banette swung his arms at the Iron Leg Pokemon, however, the aura that covered him deflected the attack. "Banette!" Phoebe saw that her Partner took on the Steel-type Move,
Banette quickly catches himself before he hits the ground. Phoebe held her hand out, acting in response. "Sucker Punch!" The dark-haired trainer exclaims.
"Bane…" The Mega Evolved Pokemon's arm took on a dark hue and then counter Metagross's Meteor Mash.
The two Moves made contact, causing a small explosion. Both Metagross and Banette leaped back to have some room.
Phoebe smirks, "Quick Banette, follow it up with a Foul Play!"
Banette floated in the air before following his trainer's orders. "Banette!" The Marionette Pokemon charges in while using Foul Play,
Steven smirks, raising his hand. "Metagross, take it on with another Meteor Mash!" He said,
"Meta?" Metagross questioned his trainer for using the same move. However, he obliged and charged in, "Meta!"
The Iron Leg Pokemon raced forward, doing the same thing as before.
"What is Steven thinking?" Jackie questions his friend's move. "Using the same move where the possibilities of success are low?"
"Steven is planning something; he's using Meteor Mash as a cover." Roxanne saw Metagross's Meteor Mash.
Metagross continued his charge toward Banette, however, Banette swiftly moves to the side and slams his fist from below Metagross.
"Meta!" Metagross was flipped into the air, allowing Banette to charge in.
Steven smirks, seeing the Marionette Pokemon has fallen for the trap. "Metagross! Flash Cannon!" The young Challenger quickly called out.
"W-What!?" Phoebe wasn't expecting Metagross to recover quickly.
A silver orb appeared at the center of Metagross's arms and built up power. "Me…ta!" Metagross released a powerful Flash Cannon at Banette.
Banette didn't have to react, he took the Flash Cannon directly as he fell to the ground.
Phoebe covered her face from the dust cloud where her Partner landed in front of her. She opens her eyes, curious about Banette, "Banette!" She steps forward, calling out to her Partner.
The dust cloud dissipates as a bright light appeared within the dust indicating Banette reverted to his original form.
Phoebe held her cheeks, seeing Banette's eyes with spirals in them. "Oh no! My precious Banette!" The Ghost-type Elite Four exclaims at what happened to her Partner.
Blanche raised her hand to Steven's side of the Battlefield. "Banette is unable to Battle, the victor goes to Metagross and the Challenger Steven Stone!" The Chairwoman of the Pokemon League announced.
Steven smiles brightly, looking at the Iron Leg Pokemon before he reverted to his original form. "We did it, Metagross! That's another one down and two more to go!" The young trainer cheered.
"Meta!" The Duel-type Pokemon cried out in joy at another victory in the Champion League.
"This concludes the second Round of the Champion League." Blanche announced to the cheering crowd, "After a break, Steven Stone will be continuing his path in the Champion League. His next opponent will be facing one of the senior members of the Elite Four."
Phoebe sighs, lowering her hands from her cheeks. She took out Banette's Pokeball and aimed it at Banette. "Well, you did your best, Banette my friend." She sighed.
A red beam went straight for the Marionette Pokemon, calling him back. Phoebe looks over to Steven, approaching his Metagross to congratulate him on his hard work.
The dark-haired girl skips down to the field, heading straight for the Challenger. "Well, you did it, Steven." Phoebe smiles at Steven. "Now that you defeat me, you will face the hard hitters in the Elite Four."
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, those two have been Battling for years," Phoebe informed the Challenger what to expect in the coming matches.
Steven rested his hand on Metagross's head. "Thanks for your insights, Phoebe." He said, appreciating her insights on the next two Elite Four members.
"As long as Metagross and my Pokemon are with me, we can defeat them." The Steel-blue haired boy stated. He looks at his Partner and smiled at him,
Metagross returned the pleasantries to his Partner with a cheer. "Meta!"
Helena smiles walking down the same hall leading to the locker rooms. She held a little box in her hands, she looked down at the gift she had gotten from the souvenir shop near the lobby of the stadium.
"I hope Steven would like this gift I got him." Helena smiles, making her way down the stairs.
Once Helena arrived in the hallway, she could hear chatter just ahead of her. The former Witch made her way over to where the chatter was and saw a bunch of trainers gather around Steven.
"You're so cool! You defeated two Elite Four members!" A female trainer clasps her hands in joy,
"Your Pokemon is so strong, I want my Pokemon to be strong as yours!" A young male trainer exclaims, feeling inspired to be like Steven.
Many others were speaking at the same time, wanting to know how or be like Steven.
Steven chuckles, raising his hands at the crowd of trainers. "Haha…um, let's see…I trust my Pokemon to pick up things that I miss…Ah, yes thank you." The Steel-blue haired boy answered the many questions he was asked.
The young trainer looked between the trainers and saw Helena, watching him from behind the crowd.
Helena smiles, pointing to the benches in the hall beside her. She walks into the hall, leaving Steven's sights.
Steven understood what Helena meant, the trainers quickly approached him once more asking him questions. He quickly answered them before leaving the crowd to meet up with Helena.
The young trainer rushed over to the end of the hall, searching for Helena. Steven reached the end of the hall, seeing Helena patiently sitting on the bench.
"Ellie," Steven called out to the black-haired girl.
Helena turned her head once she heard her name being called. She smiled, seeing Steven standing at the end of the hall. "Are done with all those trainers Steven?" The young trainer stood up from the bench and walked over to him.
"Yeah, sorry for the wait," Steven apologizes to his friend. He placed his hand to his side, looking down at Helena. "I didn't expect many trainers to meet with me." He scratched his head.
"You did beat two Elite Four members, that's something people will take notice of," Helena said, smiling at him.
Steven chuckles, agreeing with Helena's words. "Yeah, you're right on that, Helena." He smiled at her. He then noticed the gift bag she has in her hands, "What's in the bag?" Steven asked.
Helena flinched, lifting the bag to her chest. "Oh, it's something I got from the shops here," She told the Steel-blue haired boy. "I got you something to commemorate your victories."
Steven blushed, seeing that Helena had gone all her way just to buy him a gift. He cleared his throat, raising her hand at her. "H-Helena, I appreciate you giving me a present, but do you mind if you give it to me once I've defeated the Champion?" He asked kindly,
It's not like he doesn't want to accept Helena's git, he felt like this was something that should be given when he defeats everyone.
The Steel-blue haired boy looks at Helena, watching her lower the bag. She smiled at him, understanding his request. "I can do that, Steven," Helena answered,
"Thanks," Steven held his chin, having a thought. "Say, if you're not busy for lunch…" He cleared his throat and his cheeks blush red. "D-Do you want to go out and eat?" The young trainer asked the former Witch.
Helena blinks, hearing Steven asking her out to eat. She smiled softly at him, "I would love to." She answered the young boy.
Steven's face lit up with joy, he shook his head and took a deep breath. He smiled at the black-haired girl before him. "Then let's meet later near dinner?"
"Yeah, that sounds good to me." Helena turns around, heading to the lobby a floor above them. She smiled back at him, "See you later, Steven."
Once Helena left the hall, Steven leaped with joy before leaning on the wall. He covered his mouth, hiding his flushed cheeks. "I-I did it, I-I asked her out." He let out a small giggle,
Later that afternoon, Helena looked in the mirror. She wore a white blouse with a pink skirt and put her hair in a short ponytail. "Well? How do I look?" The former Witch turns to her Partner and her roommates.
"Kirlia! Kirlia!" Kirlia cheered, approving the outfit that her Partner picked out.
Roxanne and Flannery took a good look at their friend, they smiled at each other. "I don't think you need to change anything, Ellie," Flannery commented on what she was wearing.
"Flannery's right, you look great no matter what outfit you chose," Roxanne added, seeing their black-haired friend ready to go.
Helena smiled at her friends, approving of her choice of clothing. "Thank you for your input, girls." The black-haired girl stated.
Roxanne placed her hand on her chin, "Helena, I'm curious…did Steven ask you to eat with him?" The brunette girl asked her friend.
"Um…yeah," Helena turns to face Roxanne. "He asked me to join him for lunch before his next match." The young trainer blushed, realizing it was a date.
Flannery, Roxanne, and Kirlia squeal in unison, hearing that Steven made his move on her. "That's great news, Ellie!" The red-haired girl cheered, happy for her.
"It's not like that, Flannery." Helena denies what the Fire-type user is assuming. "It's a simple lunch with him, nothing more than that." She blushed,
Roxanne crossed her arms, seeing that their friend denying what this really is. "Yeah? Are you sure about that, Ellie?" She gave a mischievous smirk, happy for the two of them.
"Yes! It's nothing to get yourself over with!" Helena retorted, clearing her throat. She dashes to the door, turning to her roommates. "It's just lunch with a friend. Kirlia, return." She called back her Partner.
A red beam travels towards the Emotion Pokemon, returning her to the Pokeball.
Helena looks at her friends, standing in their hotel room, "I'll see you guys back at the stadium for the next match," The former Witch informed the two before leaving the room.
"Be sure not to do anything reckless!" Roxanne called out, acting like a worried Mother.
"I didn't hear that!" Helena responded through the door, her voice fading away as she reached the elevator.
Flannery placed down her phone, looking at the brunette next to her. "I texted Brawly, wanna see how this date goes?" The red-haired girl asked Roxanne.
Roxanne looks at the Fire-type trainer, smirking at her. "You have just read my mind," She quickly grabs her bag, raking out a new pair of clothing. "I got the disguises, let's go."
Flannery gave a thumbs up, liking how Roxanne was thinking.
Down at Evergrande City, the streets were filled with joy. In the restaurant district of the City, a Steel-blue haired boy sat at a table, waiting for someone to arrive.
He wore a button-up white shirt with a checkered grey flannel shirt, dark jeans, and black converse shoes. He wore a black and white baseball cap with sunglasses to hide his identity from the trainers around him.
Ever since the first two Battles, Steven's popularity has increased rapidly in the community. To be honest, he kinda likes it when there were only a few who noticed him.
Steven looks down at his Rotom Phone, seeing if Helena has texted him recently. "I hope Helena she saw my text," He said to himself,
Steven texted Helena, describing what he was wearing or their lunch date. 'Date…this really is a date…' He blushed at the thought of them holding hands and eventually…
The young trainer shook his head at the thought of furthering their relationship. He cleared his throat before noticing Helena approaching the restaurant. "Ellie!" Steven waved his hand to the black-haired girl.
Helena turns her head, smiling upon seeing Steven waving at her. Upon approaching him, he noticed his incognito look, "What's with the sunglasses?" The former Witch sat on the chair in front of him.
"Look, ever since I defeat two Elite Four members, people are paying attention to me." Steven chuckles, watching Helena take her seat before him.
The former Witch smiled, looking at Steven. "What a nice and cute restaurant," Helena commented on the flowery aesthetics of the restaurant. She looks over to the window, noticing some Skiitties helping out the chefs with the food.
"I figured this restaurant is to your liking," Steven explains, looking at Helena with a smile. "You like cute things; I happen just know this place from the time we explored Evergrande City." He said proudly before seeing Helena's smile.
"That's actually sweet of you, Steven. Thank you," Helena looks up, noticing the Waiter coming with the menu.
The two looked over the menu, searching for anything that looked appetizing to them. Steven's Steel-blue eyes glazed up from his menu and watched Helena talk about the many choices
Steven smiled at the former Witch, listening to her voice as she speaks. "Steven?" The young trainer blinks, coming out of his daze.
"Mmm? Helena, what is it?" The Steel-blue haired boy asked the girl before him, hearing her call his name. "Did you find something that interested you?" Steven asked, looking at Helena.
Helena tilts her head, confused by what he said. "Steven, I was letting you know that I already ordered my food," She informed her friend. "The Waiter was calling you for your choice," She motions her head to the man next to them.
Steven paused for a split second before turning to the Waiter beside them. "Sorry, I guess I was distracted." He apologizes to the Waiter,
"Its quite fine young man," The Waiter replied before lifting his notepad. "Now, have you decided what you want, young man?" He asked,
"Yes, um…" Steven looks back at the menu once more, seeing something that looks appetizing. "I want to have the Mapo Tofu, and a lemonade."
The Waiter nodded, writing down Steven's order. "Your orders will be out soon," He left their table to relay the order to the chefs.
Helena turns to Steven, "So, what did you order, Helena?" Steven asked the young trainer he met in the forest.
"I ordered the Mushroom Melody Curry," Helena answered the Steel-blue haired trainer. "It looked appetizing on the menu, so I figured why not try it out." She answered honestly.
Steven smiled, folding his hands together. "Always like you to try new things, Helena." He commented on her open mind.
Helena sighs happily before asking him something. "I'm curious why did you ask me out to lunch? We always eat lunch together with everyone during our Journey."
"Well, I want to spend a bit of time with you," Steven answered Helena respectfully. "Whenever we're with everyone, we barely have a moment to really get to know each other."
The former Witch smirks, raising her eyebrow. "What about that time in Lavaridge Town with the situation in the Valley of Steel or the Summer Festival?"
Steven just smiled in return, "Those times do count, but I want to spend more time with you like those moments." He answered. The real reason is that he wants to better know her before she leaves for the research trip with the Professor.
Helena just gave a light chuckle before looking at Steven. Her cheeks blushed a bit You know you can always ask me to hang out whenever you want." She said, thinking the same thing as him.
Steven blushed when he looked at her. He cleared his throat, gaining a light blush on his cheeks. "Y-Yeah, I know that."
The two had an awkward moment before laughing, they continued talking about little things. They kept it up, not realizing until the Waiter spoke up that their orders had arrived.
Both Helena and Steven look at their dishes, finding them appetizing. "This looks good, the food smells delicious," Helena commented, looking at Steven agreeing with her.
"I have to agree, this is one of the most popular places to eat in Evergrande City." Steven has read the reviews of the many restaurants in the City. The one they're at was listed as the most popular by the people.
They held their hands together and said, "Thanks for the food," The two took the first bite and immediately fell in love with their food.
Helena looks up, her eyes sparkling with a mouthful of unique taste. "T-This is good! I haven't tasted anything with this much flavor." The former Witch said to the young trainer before them.
Steven swiftly placed his spoon back into his Mapo Tofu and reached for his drink. He drank a few sips before gasping, "O-Okay, I didn't expect it was going to be that hot." He commented.
Helena could only laugh at Steven's flustered face from tasting the spice in his dish. "I-It's not funny!" Steven pouts at the black-haired girl.
"S-Sorry, sorry," Helena wipes away the tears in her eyes.
The Steel-blue haired boy looked at the joy on Helena's face before joining in the laughter. Once they calmed down they continued to converse while eating their meals.
Unknown to them, they were being watched by three people.
"Aw, look how cute they are." Flannery cooed, watching from the restaurant across the street. She wore a sunhat and sunglasses and sitting with her was Brawly wearing a baseball cap and a mask, and Roxanne wearing a headdress and sunglasses. "To think they only met a year ago and were shy," She commented.
Roxanne sighs, placing her hand over her cheek. "As much I like to see both Steven and Helena be closer since it's obvious to us of their feelings." The brunette stated, looking at her red-haired friend. "You sound like a doting Mother who wants both their adopted Children to get together." The young girl said,
"Roxy's right, Dudette. You are very invested in those two a bit much, Flans." Brawly placed both his arms behind his head. "I get it that those two are perfect for each other but really, tone it down,"
Flannery's eyes turned to the two, smiling at them. "Don't tell me you aren't excited that those two are on their first date." The red-haired girl asked.
Roxanne shook her head, trying her joy. "Y-You're right, it's refreshing to see that those two are growing up." She turns her attention back to Helena and Steven, now both talking about the Legends of Hoenn.
Brawly chuckles, also admitting that it's nice to see those two on their first date. "Yeah, but really though. Are we going to watch their dates from now on out?" The young Surfer commented if this was really their pass time.
"Yes," Both Roxanne and Flannery answered in unison.
Brawly chuckles still can't believe they are doing this while both Helena and Steven continued their little lunch date.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.