AN: Enjoy the chapter,
Ch 111 An Apprentice's Meeting
Helena quietly waited for Paulo to return, fortunately, he lied to the Grunts guarding her Room that his Father assigned him to look after her. In truth, he's been spying for her on the Research Team and the ongoings within the Base.
Paulo was absolute to help his Mentor, even going against his Father. Even though he's the Son of Team Magma's Leader, he can't exactly disobey him until now.
It's been eating him alive since his Father told him to spy on the Potter Laboratory and Professor Potter. He remembers the time they first met in the Trainer School.
Flashback
It was the First Week of the new term, and Paulo managed to convince his Father to let him attend. In all honestly, he's glad he agreed,
His Family's Home has been empty, not lacking any People or Pokemon. There were plenty of those. No, the term empty he uses is the lack of something he can't describe.
Regardless, the dirty-blonde-haired Boy looked at the entrance of the School. He headed to the entrance where new Pokemon Trainers were gathering,
A brunette Woman was helping the new Students get situated in the School. He approaches the Woman, assuming this is where new Students are supposed to go.
Upon looking at her further, Paulo recognized her as the Rustboro City's Gym Leader.
Roxanne looks up, noticing the quiet trainer standing behind the crowd of Students. "Hello there," She looks over to another Teacher, calling them over to handle the trainers around her.
Once a Teacher came over, Roxanne went over to Paulo to welcome him to the School. "Sorry about that, it's been a hectic First Day of the Term," Roxanne told the young Boy. "My Name is Roxanne, I'm a Teacher here right in the Trainer School."
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Scholar. I'm Paulo, I just enrolled here and I assume you're here to help new Students get situated in the School?" Paulo asked, seeing the obvious when she was standing at the front.
Roxanne giggled, seeing Paulo wasn't your typical Pokemon trainer. She smiled, regardless of whether he was a regular trainer or not. "Well, you're a mature one. I've only met a couple of Pokemon trainers who are mature for their Age." The Rock-type Gym Leader commented.
Paulo gave a confused expression, looking at the brunette Woman. "Um, thank you?" He replied, unsure how to answer her comment,
"Anyways, just let me check over a few things and I'll let you be on your way," Roxanne said, pulling up her Rotom Phone. "Your Name is Paulo correct?" She asked, receiving a yes from him.
"Okay, it seems you've been registered in the Pokemon Researching Course. Your Dorm Room is all settled and your Classes have been checked out." Roxanne said, reading the information she had on him.
Paulo nodded, appreciating her checking his documents. "Hmm?" He looks up, hearing him in a questioning tone.
"Is something the matter, Ms. Scholar?" Paulo asked, getting a bit worried,
"No, nothing's wrong, Paulo. I'm just surprised you don't have a Pokemon as of yet." Roxanne commented, looking up at the young trainer. She saw him a bit nervous, which prompted her to change the topic. "No worries, we have Students who haven't gotten their First Pokemon yet."
Paulo smiled, seeing that there wasn't anything to worry about. "I see, that's reassuring. I was worried for a moment." The dirty blonde-haired trainer said,
Roxanne smiles, looking at the young trainer having a solution for him. "As you know, we teach new Pokemon trainers how to be trainers or trainers who wish to pursue more." The Rock-type Gym Leader said. "But you can't achieve anything without Pokemon. Lucky for you, the School provides Students with their Starter Pokemon." She said, turning to the new Students who didn't have their Partners yet.
Paulo nodded, seeing the group of new Students gathering at the School doors. "Thank you, Ms. Scholar," He said, walking over to the group.
The new Students followed an Instructor inside the Trainer School, where they will receive their First Pokemon.
Walking through the Halls, Paulo and the rest of the Students stood at the School's Daycare. Standing at the Daycare's entrance was a green-haired Man wearing a white shirt, khakis, and a light blue apron with a Nametag on the side. "Hello Donna, I take it these trainers don't have their First Pokemon yet?" He asked,
"Yes, N," The Teacher looked at the Students, introducing the young trainers to the Daycare Attendant. "Students, this is N Potter, the Daycare Attendant. He'll be able to help you all find your Partners for your Semester and further on." She explains to the trainers.
N nodded, looking at the new group of Students. "Welcome to the Trainer School's Daycare, here in the Trainer School your Pokemon Partners will be provided." He said, turning to the Daycare filled with nontraditional Pokemon for Starters.
The new Students were amazed by the variety of Pokemon within the Daycare. "The Pokemon you see inside the Daycare are only a few." His eyes turn back to the group, further explaining. "You can venture outside where some more Pokemon are basking in the Sunlight." He said, hearing some excited whispers going around.
N smiled, laying some rules before he let them in to choose their Starter Pokemon. "Before I let you all in to choose your Pokemon, let me set some ground rules." The green-haired Daycare Attendant said, "First, you can't touch the Pokemon without their permission. Let them come to you, Second, respect the Pokemon. If you do so, then they'll respect you in return. Do you all understand?"
Paulo and the rest of the new Students nodded, responding to the former King of Team Plasma. "Yes, Sir."
"Then go on in and find your Partners." N opened the Daycare, letting the new Students in to find their First Pokemon.
Paulo and the rest of the Students entered the Daycare, and a few minutes later a majority of the trainers found their Partners. As for him, he didn't find one,
Even though there were plenty of Pokemon around, even the Hoenn Starters; none of them stood out.
"Maybe I should just pick one randomly and maybe we'll get to know each other as time goes on," Paulo said to himself when he heard some commotion in a bush.
Having his curiosity get to him, the dirty blonde-haired trainer walked over to where the commotion was.
Looking back, he could see N talking to the Students who had already chosen their Partners. Paulo quickly went to where the commotion was about,
Walking through the brush, the young Boy found himself in a large yard. Within the yard, he could see there was a Battlefield, a gazebo, and a small pond where some Pokemon were resting.
They were fully Evolved Pokemon, most were Second Stages. However, there were two that were out of place.
Running around, Paulo saw a small bipedal Snake-like Pokemon with arms, and a yellow Fox-like Pokemon playing with each other.
Paulo steps out of the brush, walking onto the Field. "I don't think the brochure mentioned anything about another Daycare in the vicinity." The dirty-blonde-haired trainer said to himself.
Walking further in, Paulo was looking around before noticing the two Pokemon were looking at him. "Snivy?" The Grass-type Pokemon looked at the new face.
The other Pokemon, Fennekin also stopped as she looked up at Paulo. "Fenn, Fennekin," The Fire-type Pokemon spoke, curious about him.
"O-Oh, um, hello there." Paulo shyly greeted the two, remembering the mini-lesson on approaching a Pokemon from N.
The two Starter Pokemon looked at each other as Paulo approached them. Just when he was about to take one more a red Insectoid Pokemon appeared in front of the young trainer,
"Scizor," Scizor stood before the young trainer, defending the Laboratory from the unauthorized Person before him.
"H-Hold on, I-I didn't mean to walk-" Paulo held his hand out to the Bug/Steel-type Pokemon before him.
Both Fennekin and Snivy peer through from behind Scissor, looking at the interloper to the Potter Laboratory.
Paulo held his breath as Scizor approached him to intimidate him away from this place. "Scizor? What's going on here?" A voice entered the scene, investigating the commotion outside. "Oh, hello there,"
"I didn't know a Student was visiting my Laboratory." The black-haired Woman greeted him, placing her hand on the Scizor who was protecting the place. "So sorry about Scizor, he's pretty much this place's Security." He explains, looking at her Pokemon.
"Scizor, he's not an intruder. He's a Student from the Trainer School." Helena said to the Pincer Pokemon next to her.
Scizor nodded, flying back to his post to keep an eye on the place.
Helena smiled before turning her attention back to the young trainer. "Now, what are you doing here…um, what is your name by the way?" She asked softly, "I know for a fact the path from the School to my Lab is unfinished."
Paulo sits up, looking at whom he presumes as the Professor of this Laboratory. "I heard something over here when I heard something over here." He said, looking around the Property, "I didn't expect a Pokemon Laboratory to be here, the brochure didn't mention anything of a sort." He said before Helena answered the question.
"That's because my Pokemon Lab isn't quite finished yet. I did mention that the Path wasn't finished yet." Helena said, seeing Paulo nodded, mentioning that before. "Now, I believe that we didn't properly introduce ourselves."
Helena placed her hand on her chest, introducing herself to the young trainer. "I am Professor Helena Potter. As you can tell, I'm the Professor here at this Laboratory and the Second Professor at the Trainer School you were at." She introduces herself to the new trainer. "My Research entails the Ancient forms of Pokemon, as you can tell, the Pokemon of Hoenn."
"Oh, you worked at the Trainer School too? I didn't know that. Your Research topic sounds interesting. Maybe I could learn a few things from your Class." Paulo said before doing his own greeting. "Sorry, I'm Paulo. I'm a new Student and the School."
"A new Student, eh?" the black-haired Professor said, knowing most new Students were here with their Pokemon already chosen. "Normally Students come here with their Pokemon already in hand. But it seems that you came without one."
Paulo nodded, confirming the latter was correct. "Yes, I didn't come with a Pokemon Partner." He said, looking at the young Professor. "If I'm being honest, I don't know a thing about choosing a Pokemon as a Partner." He said, admitting to Helena.
Helena nodded, looking at the young trainer, understanding his predicament. "Well, I'm going to tell you something, Paulo." She leans in, telling him something with a smile. "I was a lot like you,"
"Huh?" The dirty-blonde-haired trainer raised a brow at Helena.
"You see, I came to Hoenn without any Pokemon on me. Let alone a Partner," Helena said, turning to Kirlia who was with the other Pokemon at the other end of the yard. "After getting situated and familiar with my environment, and a little adventure. I soon found myself with a Partner I could call as my Friend." She said positively, having hope he'd be able to find his Partner.
Paulo gave a perplexed expression to the black-haired Professor, unsure if what she said was true. "Do you really think so, Professor Potter?"
Helena nodded, "I'm positive," Her attention turned to one of the two Starter Pokemon she had for her Research. Snivy approaches their newcomer, curious about him.
"Snivy?" Snivy looks up, curious about him.
"Seems like Snivy has taken a liking to you, Paulo." Helena smiled, picking up the Grass-type Pokemon before handing him over to the young trainer.
Paulo flinched, seeing that the Professor was offering him to hold the Grass Snake Pokemon. "P-Professor?" He asked despite knowing what she was doing.
Helena smiled, holding Snivy carefully in her arms. "It's all right, Snivy here is a kind one." She said, looking at the young trainer. "Plus, I have this feeling that you might not need to continue to look for a Partner."
"What do you mean, Professor?" Paulo asked, seeing that Helena was handing him Snivy, despite his hesitation. "Um…hi there," He greeted Snivy, who is now in his arms.
"Snivy," The Grass-type Starter smiled, feeling a click with the dirty blonde trainer.
Paulo couldn't explain it, but he felt like this Pokemon in his arms was meant to be. "It's nice to meet you, Snivy." The dirty blonde-haired Boy greeted his new Partner.
Snivy smiled before his new Partner looked at Helena, "Are you sure Professor that Snivy can be my Partner?" Paulo asked, wanting to make sure with her.
"Snivy and Fennekin are important to my Research, but it's not my intention to keep them around the Lab like objects," Helena said, turning to Fennekin and picking her up. "For my Research to make any progress, these two needs to be entrusted by capable trainers to help them grow stronger."
Fennekin smiles in Helena's arms before the two, "Paulo, I'm counting on you to raise Snivy from now on," Helena said kindly to him, "Can you do that?"
Paulo didn't know how to respond to the Professor's request. "But what about your Research?"
Helena ponders before coming up with an ultimatum with Paulo. "Then how about you become my Student? You can help me collect data on Snivy on how he's doing in Battle and the environment." She said, offering Paulo an opportunity.
The dirty blonde-haired Boy liked the sound of this ultimatum. He looked at his First Pokemon who was inclined to what the young Professor was offering. "Snivy," The Grass Snake Pokemon replied,
"Snivy is inclined to it," Paulo said before giving his answer to Helena. "What you're offering sounds like an opportunity to learn more about your Research than what you're going to teach in Class." He said,
Paulo smiled, "Why not, I want to learn everything I can while I'm here at the Trainer School." He said, accepting the offer.
Helena smiled, extending her hand to her new Student. "I'm looking forward to teaching you everything I know, Paulo. Both here in my Lab and in the Classroom." She said, welcoming him to the Trainer School.
End Flashback
Paulo sighs, remembering how kind and welcoming his Mentor was when he first arrived at the Trainer School. In fact, he made his time at the School was enjoyable,
"Paulo," The dirty blonde trainer looked at his Mentor, hearing him call his Name.
"Y-Yes, Professor Potter?" Paulo looks up at the black-haired Ability User, wondering what she needs. "Is there anything you need help with?" He asked his Mentor,
Helena turns around with a book in her hands. "I think I have found something that could help us." She said, indicating the book she has the answers they're looking for.
Paulo looked at the black-haired Woman, wondering how they were going to stop Team Magma's plot. "What did you find that could stop this, Professor?" He asked her,
"Not here," Helena said, holding her hand out to her Student. "I'll tell you when it's time, Paulo. However, I'm not sure they're listening to our conversation this time." She said, hearing some footsteps right outside her room.
"Right," Paulo raises his hood, disguised as a Grunt. He went over to the door and opened it. "We'll keep this conversation a secret, Professor. I'll continue to look for a way out for us." He said, walking to the door and waiting for the Grunts outside to pass by.
Helena nodded, grateful for her Student helping her in their time of crisis. By now she's used to being betrayed, the only thing that Paulo did to rectify his actions was to make things better. "I'll continue to work from here and figure out how to do this," She said, opening the book with the answers they need.
Paulo nodded, leaving the room and into the Hall as Helena continued to look at how to save them and the Region.
When he was about to open the door, it opened to reveal a pair of Team Magma Grunts and two Mightyenas. Paulo was taken aback by the sudden appearance of his Father's Subordinates at the door. "W-What's going on here?" The dirty blonde-haired trainer asked the two.
"Young master, the plan has been moved up. We're here to take the Professor to your Father." One of the Grunts informed their Leader's Son,
Paulo turns to Helena, not expecting that Team Magma decided to move their plan up. He flinched, seeing her nod. He sighs before turning back to the Grunts. "Alright, let's go," He said as the Grunts went to the young Professor.
Pacifidlog Town, Team Aqua Hideout
Escorting Steven, N, and Brendan, they were being led to Team Aqua's Hideout by the Grunts.
N turns to his Future Brother-in-Law, giving him a look. "So, being captured and brought to the Leader of Team Aqua was a part of your plan, Steven?" He asked with a bit of smugness in his voice.
"Look, I don't need that from you now, N." Steven retorted, looking at the green-haired trainer, "Besides, this is exactly how I planned things to be." The Hoenn Champion said, seeing they were heading to a Waterfall,
Brendan raised his brow, seeing how simple and effective Team Aquas's Hideout was. "Hug, talk about hidden in plain sight. No wonder the Police and others were having difficulty looking for them." The brown-haired trainer said as they arrived at the entrance to their Hideout.
Amber walks forward, searching the rocky cliffs for something. "Before we enter, you may be our Guests, but try anything that might reveal our location and you'll regret it, Champion." The old Admin spoke to the Champion of the Region and his two Companions.
"Of course," Steven said, keeping his promise to not tell anyone where Team Aqua's located. His eyes turn to the other two, "Right you two?" He asked both trainers,
N and Brendan nodded, complying with what the Team Aqua's Admin was requesting of them. "Yes," They both responded, standing behind the Steel-blue haired Man.
Amber merely looked at the rather unique group. He turns to an opening in the rocky wall. He reaches out to the hole, however, the Waterfall splits open revealing a tan Woman with a blue streak in her black hair. She wore a blue top with the symbol for Kyogre around her breast. Blue swim pants and Water shoes, around her head, were a pair of goggles.
The three trainers saw how taken aback Amber was upon the arrival of the Woman. Steven upon further inspection, instantly recognized her as… "S-Shelly, I didn't expect you to go out and meet with us," Amber said,
The Grunts watch as their Highest Admin walks over to their Guests. She gave a light chuckle, eyeing the old Admin. "It's not every day that someone such as the Hoenn Champion and the Kid who's been foiling out plans comes and visits People like us." She said, looking back at the three, "Whoops, I'm sorry. I forgot to mention the Brother of Team Magma's Captive."
Steven steps forward, about to meet with Shelly. He then felt N placing his hand on his shoulders and whispering in his ears. "(Be careful, she's an Ability User, Steven. I don't know what Ability she has, but it's probably not good in our favor-)"
"If you're wondering about what my Ability is, I can say that I can hear your conversation pretty well," Shelly said, causing N and Steven to flinch. "Yes, to answer your question. I have the Ability to hear everything, from the deepest of Caves to beneath the Water." She explains what Ability allows her to do.
"In any case, I already heard what you Boys were talking about." The Team Aqua Admin said, knowing what they want from them. "Let me tell you, Leader Archie is interested in what you're going to say to him."
Steven gave his poker face at Shelly, having confidence that Archie would accept his offer. "I'm sure, Archie will like what I have to offer." He said,
Inside the Hideout, a really tanned bearded Man wearing a blue Diving Suit with a blue bandana. On his bandana was the Kyogre Symbol in all white, and around his neck was an anchor chain necklace with a Key Stone at the center.
He sat on a wooden throne, surrounded by Water and rocks. Underneath was a glass pathway where a Shark Head swimming around in the Water. Something like a Pirate/Villain Hideout, He grins, seeing Steven and the others on the Monitor above him.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.