I do not own Pokémon. Credit goes to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak.
Shortly after Mewtwo and Leaf left the Pokémon Center, they started their search for a place where no one could distract them. He glimpsed at the hill in the distance and gazed back at her.
"Should we fly there?" Mewtwo asked, "it seems a bit of a way to walk."
Leaf nodded before she stepped closer to Mewtwo, allowing him to lift her into his arms. The Legendary scanned his surroundings before he kicked off into the air, gliding over to the hill. He noted the house nearby as he gently landed, letting her hop out of his grip. He turned and sat down on the grass, gently running his hand over it. The scent of the sea was much stronger up here, but it made the air smell fresher than it had been just among the trees. Leaf rocked back and forth as she also took in the scent. After a moment of silence, she sat down next to the psychic Legendary.
"There's something about that house," Mewtwo mentioned, "I don't think even if whoever's inside saw me, there would be any reason to worry."
Leaf didn't really say anything as her eyes stared at the ground. Mewtwo kept his eyes on her and stayed quiet, leaving her to her thoughts as he focused on taking deep breaths and calming himself. Since no one was around to interrupt them, Mewtwo removed his hood while his tail emerged from his cloak. He closed his eyes against the wind and let it run over his skin. He listened to the Pokémon noises echoing across the forest and started to relax. When Leaf leaned closer to him, he wrapped his arm around her.
"May I ask how you're feeling," Mewtwo asked her, "or if you wish to talk about anything?"
Leaf took a deep breath before she tilted her head towards Mewtwo.
"Well," Leaf started, "have you heard of…Autism?"
Leaf squeezed her eyes shut, worried he might brush it off like her teacher did. Mewtwo blinked twice as he rubbed his chin. He may have picked up that word when he first read her mind, but really didn't think much about it.
"Tell me more," Mewtwo persuaded.
Leaf's face lit up while Mewtwo stretched his legs across the ground, allowing her to perch on his lap.
"W-Well," Leaf continued to explained, "I remember my mom telling me I was diagnosed with it when I was four."
Leaf fluttered her hand to ease any tension in her mind.
"Would you like to try and explain it," Mewtwo asked, "or shall I, with your permission, look through your experiences?"
Mewtwo watched her hand with intrigue. He certainly picked up on what he assumed were her unique habits, but hadn't thought much of it.
"I-I guess I have nothing to hide," Leaf answered, "I could try explaining a few things, though."
Mewtwo watched as Leaf rested her head on his chest.
"As you wish. I am 'all ears', as I have heard humans say. I would like to know as much about my friends as you would like me to know," Mewtwo wrapped his tail around her.
"Some people say Autism is a disease, but it's really not," Leaf started, "it just means…my brain's wired differently. Maybe there are pros and cons of that."
Leaf still fluttered her hand.
"Whenever I'm stressed," Leaf continued, "I'll do these tiny rituals called 'stimming'. It's useful whenever I'm in stressful places."
"I haven't smelled anything like a disease on you," Mewtwo agreed, "I understood you had your unique habits, and I assume your fluttering is one your stims. Does it help to get energy out?"
Leaf nodded with a smile.
"Kinda. I'm glad my parents accepted me despite all that," Leaf said, "but my classmates and my teacher at school? Not so much."
Leaf lowered her head.
"When they treat me like I'm different," Leaf added, "it feels like they don't like the way I am."
"I gathered. Humans are cruel when they don't understand how it feels to be an outcast," Mewtwo told her.
His mind wandered to Eloise and the boys, and he briefly wondered how she felt now that he projected her despicable behavior towards Leaf at these neighboring towns.
"No matter what future hardships await you, Leaf," Mewtwo added, "I'll protect you. You're a worthy human, as far as I'm concerned."
Leaf responded by wrapping her arms around the psychic Legendary.
"Thank you, Mewtwo," she smiled, "for understanding me."
Mewtwo returned the embrace and readjusted his tail.
"It seems to take an outcast to know an outcast. You're welcome."
Mewtwo rested his chin on Leaf's head and started purring. He was again surprised by this new habit, but he was becoming accustomed to it. He felt even more happy to know Leaf was brave enough to come forward with some aspects of her own life. He relaxed in the ambience, knowing she trusted him instead of fearing him for his alien appearance, and closed his eyes softly. They might as well let the peaceful moment linger on for a while longer. Maybe one day, he would be brave enough to tell her more about himself.
A few hours later, Red and Gary made their way out of the Pokémon Center. They may not have enough time to face the Gym Challenge today, but they might as well check out the Cerulean Aquarium. They soon found Leaf and Mewtwo standing near the entrance. The psychic Legendary had his cloak back on, having resisted the temptation to go near the house despite some familiar vibes he was picking up from it. He nodded his silent greeting at the boys.
"I assume you two had a nice time in the outdoors?" Gary grinned as he placed his hands behind his head.
"I apologize for my…attitude," Mewtwo said remorsefully.
"It's ok, Helios," Red reassured Mewtwo, "I'd be frustrated if I lost my loved ones, too."
Red, Gary, Leaf and Mewtwo stepped through the door and entered the reception hall of the aquarium. He relaxed somewhat and studied the reception hall, listening to how the sound changed. Red glanced at the receptionist.
"Hey, can I get four tickets?" Red requested.
The receptionist examined the four visitors before he nodded. Red didn't hesitate as he made the payment and passed along the tickets among his friends.
"Have a good time," the receptionist smiled.
"Thanks!" Red grinned.
Red led Gary, Leaf and Mewtwo through the door, revealing a chamber which had large tanks hugging the walls. Leaf stared in awe as she spotted a school of Poliwags in one tank.
"Oh, so cool!" Leaf whispered happily.
Mewtwo's eyes widened and he blinked in the calming blue light, proceeding to watch the fish in a mesmerized state. Pikachu scanned his surroundings with an excited expression, resisting the urge to jump off Red's shoulder.
"Pika-pi," Pikachu clamored, "Pika Pikachu!"
Red sighed as he scratched behind his Pikachu's ear. Red approached a tank and observed a few Krabbys and Kinglers at the bottom. Strolling through the aquarium, Mewtwo wasn't sure how to feel about these Pokémon seeming caged, but they were at least in a livable environment. He carefully put his hand against the glass, sensing the coolness and vibrations of the filters within. A Goldeen swam up to Mewtwo and stared at him in a moment of silence. He stared back at it, tilting his head slightly.
"Goldeen?" the Goldeen gave Mewtwo a quizzical look.
"Hello," Mewtwo greeted using his telepathically.
After a moment of silence, the Goldeen swam off somewhere else. Mewtwo sighed before shifting his gaze towards Leaf, watching as she and her Squirtle observed some Horseas and Seadras in one tank. Mewtwo stepped towards her and stood by her side. A red haired lady came from the other direction and stood by the tank, happily watching the Horseas and grinning when one came to see her, donking gently against the glass. Squirtle made a brief glance at the redhead.
"Squirtle?"
She glanced over and smiled at the Squirtle before looking back at her Horsea. Leaf scooped the tiny turtle into her arms and made a brief glance at Mewtwo.
"Do you want to move on?" Mewtwo spoke into Leaf's head.
Leaf nodded before she and Mewtwo took a step away from the tank. The psychic Legendary made a brief glance at the redhead. She was talking quietly through the glass at the Horsea which reacted and made bubbles in response. Red glanced over his shoulder and did a double-take, nudging Gary.
"Psst, Gary," Red whispered, "the Gym Leader is here!"
Gary snapped out of his thoughts and glanced over his shoulder. She glanced over at them and smiled.
"Hi, were you wanting to challenge me?" she greeted, "I'm afraid the Gym's closed for the day."
Leaf and Mewtwo paused in their tracks and returned their gaze towards the Cerulean Gym Leader.
"Oh," Leaf blurted, "so…I guess you're visiting the aquarium, too?"
"Yeah, I like to see everybody before I go to dinner," the redhead explained, "the gym will be open again tomorrow. Are you all coming in together?"
Leaf swung her leg back and forth.
"We'll be taking turns," Leaf nodded, "but yeah."
The Gym Leader winked before she continued her stroll down the aquarium with Leaf, Mewtwo, Red and Gary following suit.
"I look forward to seeing you!" the redhead waved her hand, "I'm sure that Pikachu will have the easiest time!"
Mewtwo smiled and looked back at the passing tanks. Once the Cerulean Gym Leader left the area, Red and Gary shuffled to another tank to observe a Starmie. A Seel and Dewgong caught the Legendary's attention and he observed them swimming in the water. Leaf also approached the tank simulating a polar habitat for the Seels and Dewgongs.
"I see they're graceful," Mewtwo pointed out.
Leaf noticed one Dewgong swimming under the water when she peered through the clear thick glass. Mewtwo pressed his hand against the glass and felt the cold sensation from the water of the simulated habitat. Red stopped at a door which led to another chamber. He waited until Gary caught up with him before glancing over his shoulder and keeping an eye on Leaf and Mewtwo.
"You guys done back there?" Red called over.
Leaf and Mewtwo took a step back upon cue. The psychic Legendary glanced over the sign just before Red led the way into the tunnel.
"Oh, cool!" Gary exclaimed.
Before them, a large chamber had large pools holding larger water Pokémon. One had a Gyarados and another had a Lapras. Mewtwo gave the Gyarados an intense stare.
"Interesting," Mewtwo said to himself.
Red meandered along the path and approached the pool simulating the habitat for Lapras.
"Cool!" Red chirped, "I hope to get one of those!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"Imagine going to Cinnabar on one!" Red added.
Mewtwo glanced over his shoulder and gave Red a blank stare.
"You can ride on a Lapras' back across large bodies of water," Red explained, "make sense?"
Mewtwo nodded in agreement. Leaf carried her Squirtle as she made her way to yet another pool, watching some Mantines and Mantykes swimming at the surface. She didn't mind the fact they weren't from the Kanto Region. She jumped back a little when a Mantyke jumped out of the water just inches before her. Mewtwo huffed with amusement and walked over to Leaf's side. The Mantyke didn't stay in the air long as it splashed back in the water.
"Interesting," he smiled.
Leaf, having barely avoided getting splashed on, focused her eyes on Mewtwo and smiled at him.
"I believe I enjoy museums," Mewtwo told her.
Squirtle tilted his head sideways.
"I enjoy aquariums, but sure," Leaf nodded.
Leaf and Mewtwo strolled to another pool and observed a Golduck swimming among Psyducks. He studied them, how the Golduck was a lot more graceful than the Psyducks, some of whom just floated on their backs. Squirtle stared excitedly and waved his arm.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle chirped.
The Golduck noticed and swam over.
"Golduck?"
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
All the while, Pikachu jumped off Red's shoulder and stood on the railing, taking caution not to fall in. The Lapras noticed and paddled over to greet him.
"Pika!" Pikachu waved his hand.
Lapras gently splashed him and trilled. While Red smiled at the banter his Pikachu was exchanging with the Lapras, Gary returned to the pool Gyarados resided in. It passed him and eyed him before swimming off.
"Hey, Red?" Gary called over as he folded his arms behind his head, "I think I'm done here."
Red glanced over his shoulder.
"Ok," Red replied, "you can head up and we'll catch up."
Gary huffed before he made his way through the door. Red raised an eyebrow and glanced at his Pikachu.
"What's his problem?"
"Pika," Pikachu shrugged.
Later on in the early evening, Red, Leaf and Mewtwo left the aquarium.
"That was intriguing," Mewtwo commented, "I'd like to do that again."
"Sure thing," Leaf nodded in agreement before she tilted her gaze towards Red's Pikachu.
The young boy started stretching for a brief moment.
"I'm gonna go get some dinner," Red told them.
Once Red left with his Pikachu, Leaf followed Mewtwo as they made their way back to the fountain. He stared up at the statue before looking down at the coins, tilting his head.
"Does this not contaminate the water?"
Leaf chuckled nervously as she scratched her head.
"If it makes you feel any better," Leaf tried to reassure him, "this fountain doesn't house any Pokémon."
"And Pokémon don't drink out of it?" Mewtwo added, "hmm. That does make me feel better."
As Leaf gazed at the fountain, she allowed her Squirtle to perch on the railing and simply watch the flowing water. She exchanged glances with the tiny turtle and the cloaked psychic Legendary while she remained deep in her thoughts. Wasn't there some sort of legend tied to this fountain? Leaf reached into her wallet and pulled out three coins. Squirtle noticed and perked up, pointing to the coins still in the bottom.
"Want one?" Leaf quipped.
Leaf handed a coin to Squirtle before she offered another one to Mewtwo. He took the coin into his hand and gave her a confused stare.
"What's this for?" he asked.
"W-Well," Leaf explained, "I think I remember my dad telling me there's a legend tied to this fountain. From what I recall, if a trainer and a Pokémon toss a coin into the fountain, they grow closer together."
Mewtwo thought over the explanation in his head and nodded.
"I suppose it works just as well if you're not my trainer," Mewtwo clarified, "but my friend?"
"Yeah," Leaf agreed, "that, too."
He held the coin out over the water between his fingers.
"Ready."
After a few seconds of silence, Leaf, Mewtwo and Squirtle tossed their coins into the fountain in unison. The tiny turtle squirmed when the water hit him and seemed to laugh.
"You doing good, buddy?" Leaf chirped.
Squirtle turned to face Leaf and smiled at her. Mewtwo sighed in content as Leaf lifted her starter into her arms.
"Maybe we should head back to the center," she said.
"Right this way, then," Mewtwo gestured Leaf to follow him.
Feel free to drop a review, because Mewtwo is in need of emotional support!