AN: Enjoy the chapter.
Ch 66 The Unexpected Visitors
Helena woke up in her room after a night's sleep. She stretches her arms and looks out her bedroom window, looking at the scenery of Opelucid City. She felt a lot better after handing the Dark Stone to Hilda.
She was satisfied that she was able to find someone who fits the bill for Zekrom's awakening. However, she felt like she could do more than just the Guardian of the Dark Stone. It felt short, however satisfied with the end result.
The young Researcher turns to the corner, smiling at how peacefully they look sleeping.
Getting from her bed, Helena got ready for the day. Once she got dressed, she saw that Kirlia was the first one to wake up. "Good morning, Kirlia. Did you get plenty of sleep?" Helena walks over to her Partner, smiling at her.
"Kirlia!" Kirlia replied to her trainer's question, allowing herself to be picked up.
Helena looks at her other Pokemon, sleeping in their beds on the floor. "The others are still sleeping, let's head down and see what everyone is up to." She said to the Duel-type Pokemon in her arms.
Kirlia agrees with Helena, both exiting their rooms quietly. They walked down the stairs, entering the living room, hearing someone watching the television.
-ZZZ- You heard me right, for the first time in Pokemon League History, our Champion has forgone the Vertress League Conference and granted two trainers the right to challenge him for the title of Unova Champion. -ZZZ- The Reporter on the television informed the viewers who tuned in.
"Two trainers? They must be talking about Hilda and…N." Adam turns his head from the couch, hearing his Apprentice's voice.
"Helena, Kirlia, good morning you two, I see the rest of your Pokemon are still asleep." The blue and blonde-haired Professor greeted Helena and her Partner.
Helena nodded, replying to her Mentor's question. "Yes, I want them to get some fresh air after being in their Pokeball for some time." The Ability User said, walking towards the couch with Kirlia.
Adam smiles, hearing how great Helena was taking care of her Pokemon. "That's nice of you, Helena." He commented, noticing her attention was on the television. "Curious about what's happening in the Pokemon League?"
"Yeah, what's this about forgoing the Vertress Conference?" Helena asked her Mentor, curious about what the News Reporter informed them.
"Ah, right." Adam returns his attention to the television, informing the black-haired girl what she missed. "It seems that Alder and the Elite Four have decided to no longer host the Conference this year."
"Indeed, Alder believes that with Reshiram by N's side, then the other trainers would have a disadvantage against him." Drayden enters the living room, confirming what the two were saying.
Iris joins in, walking down the stairs after waking up late. "Good morning, everyone." The aspiring Dragon master yawns, stretching her arms.
Axew pops out from Iris's hair, greeting the four. "Axew, Ax!" The Dragon-type smiles.
"Kirlia," Kirlia greeted the small Dragon in Iris's hair in response to his greeting.
The purple-haired girl looks around her, seeing everyone gathered in one place. "Well, didn't expect that there was a meeting here." Iris commented on what she sees, "So what is everyone talking about?" She asked,
Helena turns to her friend, getting her caught up in their conversation. "Nothing much, just how Alder and the Unovan Pokemon League decided to cancel the Vertress League Conference." The Ability User informed Iris.
Iris blinks, a bit surprised by what she heard. "Really? I kinda figured that might happen, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."
Adam eyes the young trainer behind him. "Well, things did go to a drastic change since N awakens Reshiram in Dragon Spiral Tower." The blue and blonde-haired Professor informed Iris.
"I understand, Reshiram is a big deal, and so is Zekrom," Iris commented, crossing her arms. "They don't want an unfair competition between trainers." She added,
Drayden cleared his throat, moving on from the current conversation. "Alright, it's not the time for this type of conversation in the morning. Come," The Mayor signals everyone in the room to head for the kitchen, "I have prepared breakfast for all of us,"
Everyone smiles, heading to the kitchen for breakfast. A few minutes into breakfast, everyone including their Pokemon was enjoying the cooked meal. "This is good, I never tasted anything that unique," Helena commented, looking at the Mayor sitting at the head of the table.
"Why, thank you, Ms. Potter. Homemade breakfast is good for one's health." Drayden responds, looking at the young trainer. "Every morning I have prepared for myself and Iris to have a healthy breakfast despite that one of us is crunched for time."
Iris nodded, finishing her food on the table. "Yep, you wouldn't believe it but Drayden once studied as a Chef when he was younger."
Adam blinks, finding that interesting. "Really? I didn't know that." He commented,
Just when they were about to go to their next topic, a knock at the front door interrupted their breakfast. "Hmm? Who's at the door?" Helena asked, hearing the knock.
"I'm not sure, I don't who would visit us this earlier in the morning," Iris commented, also curious who would be knocking at the door.
"Must be someone from the City Hall." Drayden got up from the table, heading towards the door. Everyone watches as the Dragon master answers the door.
Once Drayden opens the door, "Yes, how may I-" The Gym Leader paused, seeing People he didn't expect to be outside. "Team Plasma!"
The three trainers quickly reacted, standing from the table. "Helena, stay behind us!" Adam got in front of his Apprentice, in an attempt to protect her.
Iris had Axew leap from her hair, ready to Battle the Pokemon they might send out. "Let's do this, Axew!" The aspiring Dragon master exclaims, "Don't let Team Plasma get Helena!"
"Axew!" The Tusk Pokemon obliges his trainer's request.
Drayden was about to send out his Pokemon when the Shadow Triad member spoke. "We mean no hostility. I'm here to escort these two to the one known as Helena Potter." He informed the Dragon master.
Helena poked her head from behind her Mentor, hearing two Team Plasma members were looking for her. Her Emerald green eyes then spot two familiar faces. "Concordia, Anthea, what are you two doing here?"
Adam recognizes the two girls from the Cottage Helena was staying at after her kidnapping. "Those are the girls who took care of you at their Cottage." The blue and blonde-haired Professor commented, curious why they were here in Opelucid City.
"Helena," Anthea spoke out, staring at the black-haired girl. "Both me and Concordia wish to speak to you." The pink-haired girl said to the only Outsider they have taken a liking to.
"It's about N and our Foster Father." Concordia continued after her Sister.
Adam looks at Helena for her thoughts on the situation. "What do you think, Helena? Can we trust them despite being members of Team Plasma?" He asked his Apprentice.
The young Researcher looks at the two Sisters caring for her. They seem to be genuinely concerned for N, now that she thinks of it, this might be the perfect opportunity to speak with N and convince him to stop this,
"Let them in, they're not hostile towards me," Helena said, never once believing they would deceive them now that N has Reshiram.
Drayden nodded, stepping aside for the members of Team Plasma. "Alright, you can come in." The Dragon master watches as the three heads inside his Home, carefully observing their actions.
Once Anthea and Concordia settled in the Living room, the others joined in. "What do you two want to talk to me about regarding N?" Helena asked, looking at the two Sisters.
The two looked at each other before Concordia spoke. "Helena, N isn't acting himself lately. We know that you refused his invitation to join Team Plasma. He was first all right with it, though a bit disappointed." The blonde girl explained what happened to the green-haired trainer. "Then the next day he's completely different."
"Different how exactly?" Adam asked, curious about what happened.
"N's personality has changed overnight, He's cold to us and emotionless, like some soulless Puppet," Anthea explains to the four about N's current state. "We're not sure what happened to him to change,"
"Changed? How did he change, there must be an explanation why he's like this." Helena asked, not seeing N as a cold emotionless Person. She then looks at the two once more, wanting to get to the bottom of this. "Did N encounter someone before his personality changed?" She asked.
Anthea and Concordia were about to answer, having an idea who met N before. However, someone else spoke instead. "It was Lord Ghetsis," The Shadow Triad spoke, telling the Person that N met.
"Ghetsis…" Iris ponders on the name before an image of a green-haired Man in robes appeared in her mind. "AH! That weird-looking Guy who was just here in Opelucid City!" The aspiring Dragon master exclaims.
"Axew?" The Tusk Pokemon gazed up at his trainer, hearing what Iris said.
Drayden stares at his Apprentice, raising an eyebrow at her. "Did you really forget that Man's name just now, Iris?" The Gym Leader asked.
Iris chuckled, scratching the back of her head. "Yeah…sorry, I didn't listen to the whole spiel about Liberation of Pokemon." She stated her reasons to them.
The members of Team Plasma just looked at Iris, not responding to her reason.
"I'm curious though, what exactly did Ghetsis say to N to make him as you two described?" Adam asked the two Sisters.
Both looked at each other before answering the Professor. "In entirely, we're not sure," Anthea answers, unable to give a proper one. "The thing is, Ghetsis was invested in N to become one of the Twin Heroes. So most of the time, he spoke to him alone."
"There were a few times that we overheard them talking. Mainly about him becoming King." Concordia continued.
"That's because Ghetsis's Ability not only detects other Ability Users but manipulates them to an extent." The Shadow Triad explains to the group. "He did it to the Seven Sages, filling their heads with false ideas."
Drayden doesn't like the sound that Ghetsis can manipulate others to do his bidding. However, there was one question he really wanted an answer to. "Tell us, why are you helping us? It's clear that the Shadow Triad is undoubtedly loyal to Team Plasma. So why are you here telling us this?"
The Triad member just looked at Drayden, "I won't deny that I'm part of Team Plasma. However, unlike the other two members of the Shadow Triad, they're not whom I'm loyal to. Lord N and his Sisters are." He informed them where his alignments are.
Helena looks at both Anthea and Concordia, wondering what they want her to do. "Quick question, what do you want me to do about it? I'm just a normal Person who happens to be caught in between Team Plasma's goals." She stated,
"Out of the two of us, you spent much time together. You two form a bond that is unknown to us," Concordia said, explaining why they seek her assistance.
Anthea nodded, agreeing with her Sister. "We believed that with that bond, you can slap some sense into him." The pink-haired girl stated. "So please, help N, Helena Potter."
Helena was already decided to help however she can for N. Just when she was about to answer, the News Channel interrupted them.
-ZZZ- This is Unova News, bringing you viewers an update on the Pokemon League. -ZZZ- The News Reporter announces to the camera. -ZZZ- During a Battle with the Champion Alder, a large structure has appeared, surrounding the entire League. -ZZZ-
-ZZZ- We advise all Residents in the area to stay inside your homes. -ZZZ-
Everyone looked over to the television, seeing the large Building surrounding the Pokemon League. They all watched as bridges appeared, connecting themselves to the many parts of the League.
"W-What just happened?" Iris held onto Axew, shocked by the events that just took place at the League.
"T-That Building…it just came up from the ground like it was nothing," Helena added, holding onto Kirlia as well,
"What is that Building?" Adam asked, curious what's the meaning behind the Building.
The Shadow Triad member looks at the television, informing them of what the Building was. "That's our King's Castle, the appearance of it means that the current Champion has been defeated by Lord N." He informed the group.
Drayden frowns, seeing that the Shadow Triad wasn't lying. The proof was right there, broadcast lived for all of Unova to see. "So it falls to Hilda to defeat N." The Dragon master solemnly said,
Adam nodded, standing with the Gym Leader/Mayor of Opelucid City. "I just hope that she was able to awaken Zekrom."
Iris looks at the two Adults, wanting to do something to stop Team Plasma instead of sitting around. "We have to do something; we can't just sit here!" The young trainer stated.
"But how, Team Plasma has an Army of Grunts. Plus we don't know where N or the Sages could be." Helena looks at Iris, reminding her of the tasks if they head out blindly.
"We could take you," Adam turns around, looking at Concordia who spoke out.
"You three? But why?" The blue and blonde-haired Professor asked the three.
Anthea held her heart, giving her reason why they were helping them. "N is our Brother, even if we're not related. We still think of him as one." She stated.
Concordia nodded, agreeing with her Sister. "N has taken care of us and ensured that we are safe. We want to help him in return." The blonde Girl stated,
"Alright, then we just need a plan to deal with the Grunts and possibly the Sages," Adam commented, placing his hand on his chin.
"Professor?" Helena stares at her Mentor, devising a plan to deal with Team Plasma.
Just when Adam was about to share, a sudden knock caught the occupants' attention. "Another knock at the door?" Iris questions the attention they were having. "Is it someone you three know?" The purple-haired Ability User asked the three.
The Shadow Triad member shook his head, replying to Iris's question. "There are no others who know about our whereabouts." He responded as Drayden went to answer the door.
Everyone watched as the Dragon master opens his front door. Once he did, he was greeted by a familiar face, "Oh, hello there. How may I help you?" Drayden asked the newcomer.
"A-Are you Drayden the Opelucid City Gym Leader?" A familiar voice caught the attention of Helena, Adam, and Iris.
"Bianca!?" All three trainers exclaim at the sight of the blonde trainer at the front door.
Unova League,
Hilda huffs, rushing up the grand stairwell of the Pokemon League. Even if it took longer than she wanted to, she had managed to defeat the Elite Four.
Now Hilda has gained the right to enter the Champion Chamber that sat on top of the Pokemon League. "I have to hurry," She looks up, seeing the large structure that appeared out of nowhere, looming over the League.
She shook her head, continuing her way up the grand stairwell. She suddenly fell when random tremors started. "Tremors? Was there some explosion?" Hilda asked herself before heading up the stairs.
The brunette trainer managed to reach the top of the stairwell. Hilda looks up, being greeted by a temple-like Chamber. Walking slowly to the Champion Chamber, Hilda took in a deep breath, preparing for what might be waiting for her.
Entering the Chamber, traces of an intense Battle was evidenced. Claw marks, dents in the brick walls, some puddles, and burn marks from both fire and electric-based Moves scorched the walls and floors.
Despite the scars from the intense Pokemon Battle, the most eye-catching out of everything around them was what was in front of her.
There, kneeling next to a large Moth-like Pokemon on the ground was his trainer, Alder. His eyes were spiraling from the strong opponent they just fought. "Volcarona, hang in there." The elderly man said to his Partner.
Standing in front of the Pokemon and trainer pair was the one who defeated the former Champion. "N," Hilda spoke his name, gaining his attention.
N turns his head towards Hilda, hearing her call his name. "So, you have made it to the Pokemon League Hilda." The green-haired trainer greeted the trainer who can rival him.
Hilda took note of the coldness in N's blue eyes, they were emotionless and lack of any personality. Shaking her head, the brunette trainer returns to the moment before her. "N, stop this. You can't let People and Pokemon be separated, both need each other to live better lives!" She stated.
N closes his eyes, letting her words flow past him. "If you are so keen on keeping on your Ideals then face me in Battle." The King of Team Plasma said, not even responding to the brunette trainer's statement.
"W-What?" Hilda was taken aback by the emotionless response from the green-haired trainer. "N, you're not talking like yourself. What's wrong with-"
Another tremor happened, however this time it was much larger than the others she felt before. Then the back wall where the Champion's throne burst from something slamming from the outside.
Hilda covered her face from the debris that scattered among the impact. She then slowly opened her eyes, seeing a black stairwell leading to the outside,
Standing in front of it was N, ready to proceed to climb it. "I shall wait for your arrival." N turns his head to Hilda, "Prepare yourself, Hilda, for I won't hold back." He said, giving her some advice.
The King of Team Plasma climbs the stairwell, entering his Castle.
"Ngh," Hilda frowns at what N has become, she turns to Alder and rand over to him. "Alder, are you all right?" The young brunette trainer asked the defeated Champion.
Alder got up after tending to his Partner. "Yes, both me and Volcarona are fine, Hilda." The former Champion said the Bug/Fire-type flutters his wings before being able to hover next to him.
"My friend, I see you're feeling well." The fire-haired man smiles, petting the Sun Pokemon's back.
Volcarona nodded at his Partner's words, indicating he was better after their Battle.
Alder smiles, happy that the Duel-type didn't seriously get injured. He heard Helena gives a sigh of relief after telling her they were fine, "That's a relief, I was worried there for a second." Hilda commented, her hand on her chest.
The former Champion looks at Hilda, disappointed with himself for not being able to defeat N. However, hope is not lost. "Hilda, I'm afraid I have failed to stop Team Plasma's King. Now that task falls upon you to defeat him."
Hilda's eyes were glued to Alder, letting him speak. "Alder…"
"I'm aware you have received the Dark Stone from Helena, however, that alone cannot defeat N." Alder led the holder of the Dark Stone to a terminal with six Pokeball-shaped holes. "You need to Battle your way to N's Castle against the many who wished to stop you. But before that,"
Alder motions his hand to the Machine, doing what he can to prepare her for the decisive Battle that awaits. "Your Pokemon needs to be healed, this Machine can heal your Pokemon to full health. You can use it to your heart's content,"
Hilda nodded, appreciating the help the defeated Champion was offering. "Thank you, Alder."
Once Hilda's Pokemon healed her Pokemon, she quickly climbed the stairwell to N's Castle ready to fulfill her duty.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.