AN: Enjoy the chapter.
Ch 75 Another Discovery
N's eyes fluttered open; he turned his eyes to the side of his bed. "Ah, his fever is going down." A familiar voice spoke,
His vision was blurry, but he could make out a figure standing next to him. N could see a Female with long red hair, a bit curly, and Emerald green eyes. "N! You're awake." She said, happy to see him awake.
"W-Who are-" N's vision cleared, now seeing that Woman was Helena, tending to him. "Helena, what are you…what happened?"
Helena smiled, answering the green-haired trainer. "You just caught a small fever, probably you got it when you didn't dry your hair." The black-haired trainer said, placing her hand on his forehead.
N blushed, avoiding his Adopted Sister's gaze while she checks her temperature. "W-What are you doing, Helena?" The former King of Team Plasma asked.
"I'm just checking your temperature, and it's normal." Helena smiles, happy that the Medicine she got from Pastoria City did its thing, "Your fever went away, that's good." She said.
"Was I sick? I-I don't remember that much " N asked, not remembering what happened in the last few hours. Most likely he was too sick even to comprehend what was happening around him.
"You were really out of it, N." N turns to Steven, leaning on the trailer wall beside his bed. "Probably the heat from the Great Marsh caused your fever to rise a bit," Steven commented, thinking that was the reason why he was groggy.
Helena looks at her Boyfriend, "And it's a good thing we went to the Pharmacy before they sold out the Medicine." She commented before looking back at her Brother. "N, tell us how you feel. Any headaches or any pain?" She asked, wanting to know if he was feeling any side effects from the Medicine.
N smiles, rolling his shoulders. "I'm feeling just fine, Helena. I guess that Medicine wore its charms." He commented, looking at the window, seeing it was already morning. "It's morning? How long was I out?" He asked the two.
"About the entire night," Steven said before explaining what happened. "We arrived back last night to give you the Medicine. Of course, you refuse so I have to restrain you for Helena to administer the Medicine."
"You don't need to go that far in detail, Steven." Helena sighs before speaking to the green-haired trainer. "Overall, the Medicine work and you're feeling better now."
N nodded, appreciating the two taking great lengths to heal him. "Thank you, for taking care of me." He said, looking at Steven with a bit more respect.
Helena got up from the chair, seeing that N was feeling better than last night. "Great, I'll tell the Professors that you're better now!" She quickly turns to the entrance of their trailer, leaving the Boys.
"Wait, Helena, you don't need-" N stopped his sentence when he saw her already left the trailer. He lowered his hand, seeing there was no use in trying to stop her,
"You know," The green-haired trainer turns to Steven, still present in the room. "Helena was really worried about you, she spent the night tending to you," Steven stated, informing N what she has done for him.
N blinks, hearing what the Champion said. "Wait, really? Why would she…" He turns to Steven once more, realizing it entails. "Did Helena get at least some sleep?"
Steven smiles, "Around three AM, after I woke to a clanging sound, I saw her still up." He told N the rest, "I was able to convince her to get some sleep. She just woke up a few moments ago to check on you."
"I see," N said, seeing that Helena had continued to do everything for him. "Then she was practically up all day. Why would she do something like that even if it hinders her?" The former King asked, trying to understand his Adopted Sister.
"It's Helena, she always wants to make sure everyone even Pokemon is well taken care of," Steven said, admiring that about her. "However, she sometimes disregards her well-being unintentionally."
N remained silent, looking at the used Medication at his bedside table. "So, what do you want me to do about it?" He asked,
Steven looked at N, having a plan in mind. "I want you to keep an eye on Helena with me." He offered the former King of Team Plasma,
"Huh?" N raised his eyebrow, curious about what the Champion had in mind. "What are you talking about, Steven?"
"Helena hardly had any sleep, she might hurt herself if she suddenly felt drowsy." The Hoenn Champion explains what they have to do today, "Sticking by her side is the best for her without-"
"Letting her know what we're doing." N got the gist of their plan. In all honesty, it's the least he could do to repay her after taking care of him. "Very well, if Helena spent all night taking care of me then she must be tired."
Steven smiles, happy that Helena's Brother agrees to help him. He offered his hand to him, forging a small alliance between them. "Then let's help Helena, together," He said, cheerfully.
N gave a light chuckle, accepting the gesture.
"So, in all these Ruins predates when the original Sinnohian People or even earlier," Cynthia explains to Helena and the Research Students who accompany them.
Helena wrote down what the Sinnoh Champion's words on her Tablet, taking notes for future Papers. She smiles before noticing that N and Steven coming over to her. "What took you two long?" She asked the two Boys.
Steven answered Helena, explaining what occurred in their trailer. "I have misplaced something inside the trailer." He turns to N, motioning for him to go along with his white lie. "I asked N to help me,"
The green-haired trainer nodded, going along with Steven's words. "Yes, it took a bit longer than we thought but we found it," N said, supporting what Steven said.
"So, what exactly did you two have a hard time looking for?" Helena asked, curious about what they were looking for.
Steven took out his Rotom Phone, showing it to his Girlfriend. "My Rotom Phone," he gave a light laugh, causing Helena to give him a look.
"You do know that you can just use anyone's Rotom Phone to call yours, right?" Helena said, raising an eyebrow at her Boyfriend.
"Hahahaha…." Steven just laughed, causing Helena to giggle at him laughing off his mistake.
N looks at both Helena and Steven, taking notice of how these two seem to be closer. "Hey, you three," A voice called out to the group.
The three turn around, seeing Adam and Irina waving at them. "My three Students, together at last." Adam jokes before getting to the point. "Now that you three are here, let me tell you what we're doing today."
The three looked at each other before Helena asked her Mentor. "What's the plan, Professors?" She asked,
Irina smiles, her head turning to the Ruins they just uncovered. "You know the Ruins we've uncovered? Well, during that time, we just scratch the surface." The dirty blonde Professor explains,
"We're going to explore and dig around a little to see if we missed anything." The young Professor added, explaining their plan for today.
Steven crossed his arms, having a feeling that's what they're doing today. "Well, at least you can join us at the excavation site and explore it." The young Champion said.
N nodded, "Yes, I have to admit, I heard a lot about the Ruins you've uncovered." The former King of Team Plasma.
"Then let's get going," Helena skips over, standing before the Professors.
Inside the Excavation site, the group looks around the Ruins once more. Helena walks over to the mural she just discovered,
She stops, seeing some Machokes moving some boulders to clear the way for Researchers.
Once the Fighting-type Pokemon pass her, she approaches the mural, taking out her Rotom Phone to take some Photos of the mural for her Research. She smiles, taking one big picture.
The black-haired trainer smiles, now having a reference for her Paper. "So this is the mural you two were talking about. Interesting," Helena turns around, seeing N looking at the mural with her.
"Yes, it is," Helena answers N's comment. "Who knew that there were other Ancient forms of Pokemon in the Past." The Ability User commented,
N nodded before asking Helena off-topic, "Helena, what is your relationship with Steven?" The former King of Team Plasma asked, wanting to know about their relationship.
Helena blinks, looking at the green-haired trainer. "Hmm? You know already. He and I met when I first came to Hoenn and-"
"Not then, but now." N looks at her, his eyes serious wanting to know about them. "I could tell that you two are closer now. If you don't mind, would you-"
"Steven asked me out," Helena said to N, to which his eyes shift to the side. "To be honest, it's helped me understand a few things and shown me a new outlook in my life." She smiles, happy to be dating him.
N's hair covered his eyes, hearing the joy in her voice as she told him. "I see," He gave a smile at Helena, happy to hear that she was happy. But…"Excuse me, Helena. I have something to do for a second."
Helena blinks, seeing N walking away. "Huh? N?" She called out to him, watching her Brother leave. "Where is he going?" She asked herself, following her Brother figure to wherever he was going.
Steven was taking some rock samples to study later, "These are good rock samples." He smiles, walking back to the tent.
Just when Steven was about to reach the tent, N stood in their path. He looks up, seeing the green-haired trainer before him. "N? Is something the matter?" He asked, "Did Helena get injured or something?" He asked, assuming the worst.
"No," N spoke in a rather serious tone. "I just want to know if you're really seeing Helena." He asked the Hoenn Champion, not even sugarcoating his statement.
The young Champion stares at the former King, "Yes, yes, I am," Steven said, confirming what he said. "I mean no offense but what is it to you that I'm dating her?" He asked Helena's Brother, getting the feeling of being questioned by Helena's Father.
N gave a light chuckle, placing his hand on his shoulders. "(You know, now that I'm Helena's Brother; it's my job to protect her.)" He whispers to the Steel-blue haired Champion's ears. "(Even to those who have no harmful motivation towards her.)"
"What are you saying, N?" Steven asked, not wavering from his threatening voice.
The green-haired trainer steps back, smiling at him with a Pokeball in his hand. "I'm saying if you want my approval for dating my Sister, you have to Battle me." N smirks, wanting to test Steven for the longest time.
Steven chuckles, placing both his hands on his side. "I figured that was the case." The Steel-haired Boy smiles, taking out his Pokeball. "So, how do you want to do this?"
N smiles, answering his question. "One and one, that's all I need to see if you're worthy for my Sister's heart." The former King said,
On the other end of the Excavation Site, Helena looks around her for any sight of N or Steven. She saw Professor Rowan speaking with a couple of Researchers. "Professor Rowan," Helena called out to the Regional Professor.
Professor Rowan turns around, hearing his name being called. "Ms. Potter, what can I do for you?" The grey-haired Professor asked the young Researcher.
"I'm wondering where N and Steven are. Did you happen to see them?" Helena asked the Regional Professor.
"I do not know, but I did see them near those Pillars right over there." Professor Rowan points to a couple of Ruins off in the distance.
Suddenly an explosion went off in the distance, prompting everyone to turn in the direction. "What was that?" Helena asked,
"Must be a Pokemon Battle happening in that direction." Professor Rowan said, seeing the explosion was from Pokemon moves.
Soon a Metagross flew up from the trees. Helena saw the Iron Leg Pokemon, realizing it was a Shiny. Not only that the Metagross was a Shiny, but it has a Mega Stone wrapped around his legs.
Also leaping from the trees was a Zoroark, releasing a Dark Pulse at the Duel-type where Metagross used Iron Defense to protect himself. "Ah, now I know where they are," Helena said, following the sight of the two Pokemon.
Near the edge of the Forest, right next to the Ruins in the Great Marsh, both N and Steven along with their Partners Battled.
Steven Stone/ Metagross vs N Potter/Zoroark
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!" Steven cried out to his Partner.
"Meta!" Metagross floated back, charging up as a myriad of colors surrounds him. He propels himself to the Dark-type Pokemon.
N held his hand out to his Partner, "Zoroark, counter it with Brick Break!" The green-haired trainer cried out,
Zoroark leaps on the tree's branches, his arms glowing an orange hue. He leaps in close to Metagross, knocking him back to the ground.
"Meta!" The Duel-type caught himself before plummeting to the ground.
Steven felt the gust of wind his Metagross produced when catching himself. "You're all right there, Metagross?" He asked his Partner.
Metagross nodded, "Meta!"
The Hoenn Champion looks at N, impressed by his Battling skills. "Well, I didn't expect you to go in head-on like that, N." He commented, seeing N is a risk taker.
Zoroark landed in front of the green-haired trainer, hearing his statement. "It's best to catch your Opponent off guard with something they won't expect," N said, placing his hand to his side.
"Though I have to admit, your Metagross is strong, and both of you trust in each other," N commented, seeing Steven was in sync with his Partner. "Your Bond with him is very strong."
"Thanks, Metagross and I practically grew up together," Steven said, accepting his compliments.
N nodded, seeing he and N share similar Bonds with their Partners. "Really, that goes with me and my Friends. I see all Pokemon as my Friends, and I can tell you do too."
Steven grins, looking at his Opponent. "So does that mean you accept me dating Helena?" He asked the young trainer.
"Not even close," N held his hand out to Zoroark. "My Friend, use Night Slash!" He commanded,
Zoroark dashed forward, his claws developing a dark hue before leaping through the air and slashing in an X motion. The Night Slash hurls towards Metagross, N knew that he's a Psychic-type and they're weak against it.
However, the next thing was unexpected for N. "Use Psychic on the ground, Metagross!" Steven said as Metagross's X glowed a bluish hue.
The ground lifted up, acting as a barrier around the Steel/Psychic-type Pokemon. "What!?" N exclaims, seeing the Night Slash deflected by the wall.
"Battling isn't just a show of Pokemon Moves, N," Steven commented, looking at N's shocked facial expression. "A trainer must utilize everything around them to gain an upper hand." He said, sharing what he learned during his Journey,
N blinks, never seen anyone who used their surroundings to their advantage. 'Guess he's not as competent as I thought. He's calculative and patient, interesting…' He thought to himself,
The green-hared trainer held out his hand to his Partner, "Zoroark, use Dark Pulse!" N quickly said, wanting to catch Metagross and Steven.
The Illusion Pokemon open his mouth, releasing a dark beam at Metagross.
"Metagross, counter the Dark Pulse with a Flash Cannon!" Steven quickly acted,
"Meta!" The X on Metagross's head began to glow, releasing a silver beam into the dark beam.
The two beams collide, causing stray beams to hit random spots in the area.
One stray beam went straight to the Forest near the Ruins, "GAH!"
The two Boys turn their heads to where they heard the scream. "HELENA!" The two recognize that scream.
They turn to their Partners, prompting them to stop their Attacks, "Metagross,"
"Zoroark,"
"Stop your Attack!" The two exclaim as their Pokemon cease their Attacks,
N looks at Steven, both nodding at each other as they went in the direction of Helena's scream.
Helena lay on the grass after dodging Silver and Dark beams that appeared out of nowhere. "Okay, didn't expect that to happen." She stood up before noticing the beams have uncovered something on the large Boulder. "Huh?" She saw something on the boulder,
The young Researcher made her way to the boulder, dusting off the remaining rocks. "What is this now?" Helena asked herself, removing the rocks to reveal another set of Ancient Murals.
"Helena!" The black-haired Girl turns to her left, seeing Steven and N running towards her with their Partners.
"Steven, N." Helena saw Steven running over to her quicker.
Steven quickly kneels down and holds her shoulders. "You're not hurt, are you?" He asked his Girlfriend.
Helena was confused before looking at her Brother for clarification. "No, N what is Steven talking about?" She asked the green-haired trainer.
N placed his hand behind his neck, answering his Sister. "Well, a little while ago I challenge Steven and…"
"Both Metagross's and Zoroark's Attacks rebound from each other causing stray beams to fly everywhere." Steven continued as both Pokemon confirms what the two say.
"I see…I figured something might've gone down between you two." Helena said, suspecting that was the case when two beams came out of nowhere.
N hovered over the two, still concerned about if she was hurt by their mistake. "Helena, are you sure you're uninjured? We heard you scream back there." The former King said, wanting to make sure.
Helena nodded, getting up from the grass. "I'm all right, N. That Attack just surprised me and all," The black-haired Girl said before approaching the boulder. "But that Attack did uncover something important."
The two Boys stood behind her, seeing that Helena removed the remaining rocks from the boulder.
"Is that…a Castle?" N asked, feeling like he had seen it before.
"But the three large beings above the Castle. Are they…"
"The Legendary Pokemon," Cynthia informed the group that the Researchers remove the boulder for further studies. "This is the second important find you uncovered, Helena. You really do have a knack for this."
Helena chuckles, "It's nothing, I just happened to pass by it." She said modestly.
The three decided to call in the Research Team since this was something important to their Excavation. "Well whatever happened, we might not have found it without you three. Good job," The Champion said, walking to assist the Team. "We'll investigate it further back at the Lab."
Helena smiles at N and Steven at their discovery, now having recognition by the Researchers. "Well, I wouldn't have found this without you two's Battle. Speaking of Battle," She looks at them, now sweating at her questioning. "Is there a reason why you two were Battling?"
"Just a test of strength, Ellie," Steven said, hiding that N was just testing if he was worthy of dating her.
"Yes, it's a test of strength since he's the Hoenn Champion," N said, leading his Sister to their little lie. "It's nothing to be concerned about."
Helena looked at the two before accepting it as the truth. "Alrighty then, if you say so."
"Ah, there you are Helena." The three turn to Professor Ceder walking with his Sister with something in her hands.
"Professor Ceder, is there something you need?" Helena asked her Mentor.
Adam chuckles, placing both his hands on his side. "Actually yes," He said, confirming what she said. "Since you have been here making new discoveries at every turn, both Irina and I decided to reward you for your hard work." He said.
Irina walks forward, showing a case to them. "This here is an Egg Incubator. We would like it if you were the one to take it as the reward my Brother spoke about." The dirty blonde-haired Researcher said.
"W-Wait, I shouldn't have this," Helena said, holding up her hands. "A Pokemon Egg seems to be a bit excessive for a reward of this standing." The Ability User stated, refusing to take it.
"Helena, you always assisted in the Daycare with Wallace back in the Trainer School." The blue and blonde-haired Professor stated, seeing this is perfect for her. "An Egg under your care is the perfect reward for someone like you."
Helena looks at both N and Steven, seeing for their input.
N shrugs, seeing it's perfect for someone like his Sister. "I don't see any problems with it, Professor. Helena is a good caregiver if you ask me." The green-haired trainer stated.
Steven smiles at his Girlfriend, urging her to take it. "Go for it Helena, I know you'll raise the Pokemon well under your care." He said, "Both N and I will support you while you take care of it." His eyes gaze over to N, seeing him agree.
Helena sighs, seeing there's no way out of this. Putting her arms out, Irina placed the Incubator in her arms. She blinks, seeing that the Egg responded to her touch. "W-Wow, it must really like me."
"Who wouldn't?" Steven asked,
"Take good care of it Helena, soon you'll have a new companion with you," Adam said, advising his Student to care for the Pokemon Egg carefully.
"I will, thank you, Professor!" Helena smiles, looking at the Egg. "I'll take good care of you, I promise."
Later that night while, Helena was caring for the Egg. Steven and N had a little meeting outside their trailer.
Steven leans on the railings, looking up at the sky. "So," He turns around seeing N walking outside the door. "What is it you want to talk about?" He asked.
"N, our Battle today is an eye opener for me." The young Champion said.
"Really?" The green-haired trainer raised his eyebrow.
Steven nodded, "Yes, both you and me care for Helena in different ways." He said before getting into what he needs to say. "So, I liked to continue with us in helping and protecting Helena. What do you say?"
N ponder a bit, he had seen what he need from Steven. He could tell he could protect Helena if something happen to him. "Very well, know I'm doing this for Helena." He said, accepting the alliance between them.
Steven chuckles, "I'll have no other way. Thank you, for listening, N." He said, smiling at him. "You know, you're not as a bad person than I thought."
"Like I said, Helena is my Sister. I would do anything to protect her." N said before returning the compliment. "And you too, I thought you were some rich Kid who wants Helena for yourself. But that's not you."
"Well, I do have to get on your good side if I want to marry her someday." The young Champion commented.
N chuckles, giving a strain smile. "Hahaha, like that would ever happened." They laugh together, despite having a common ground they still rivals.
AN: How do you like it? The next Chapter will be concluding her travels. It'll be Paldea; it's just Helena doing her requirements in becoming a Professor. As for the other regions, it'll be small paragraphs about what happened. Anyways, leave a comment or review. Which Pokemon do you think the egg could be?