I do not own Pokémon. Credit goes to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak.

Also, credit goes to Laurleen aka Emi-Xstitch on DeviantArt for co-writing the first four chapters and then RubyDaSquirlz on DeviantArt for the successor chapters starting at chapter 5.

From there, they started their stroll towards the Pokémon Center. He tilted his head towards the sky as a flock of bird Pokémon flew over. By the time they reached the entrance, Leaf spotted Red out of the corner of her eye as his Pikachu followed him close behind. The electric mouse perked up his ears and locked eyes onto the psychic Legendary and the brunette.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu called over as he waved his hand.

Mewtwo smiled and nodded at the Pikachu.

"Hello."

Red stopped in his tracks and made a brief glance at Leaf and Mewtwo.

"Hey," Red called over, "we were just doing some after Gym training."

Leaf nodded at Red as she approached the door.

"Is Gary waiting for his challenge?" Leaf asked.

"Yeah," Red nodded, "where've you two been? Up to the hill?"

Leaf shrugged as the door automatically slid open before she led Mewtwo, Red and Pikachu inside. Pikachu trotted along beside his trainer, jumping up onto the counter. Squirtle stayed at his trainer's side while Mewtwo took a seat. Both trainers started depositing their Poké Balls onto the trays, recalling Squirtle and Pikachu before depositing theirs.

"It'll only take a few minutes," Nurse Joy told them, "please be patient."

Nurse Joy carried the trays to the healing station. Leaf and Red waited for a few minutes before the healing station finished healing their Pokémon.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy!" Leaf smiled.

"We hope to see you again," Nurse Joy gave the trainers a deep bow.

Red retrieved his Pokémon while Leaf noticed Magnemite's Poké Ball shaking without warning when she picked it up. She thought fast and sent out the magnet Pokémon, watching as it floated down to the floor.

"Magnemite," Leaf called, "you ok?"

Mewtwo glanced over his shoulder and rose to his full height. The Magnemite gave a sad-sounding buzz and looked in the direction of the cafeteria, then the computer, and TV, spinning its magnets slowly.

"Maaaaag."

Red didn't hesitate to bring his Pikachu back out, allowing the electric mouse to waddle over to the Magnemite.

"Pika!" Pikachu called out, "Pika Pikachu!"

It seemed to perk up slightly as he approached, holding its magnets to him.

"Magna, Magna-Magnemite. Magnemite."

Pikachu scanned his surroundings for a brief moment before he gestured to the door.

"Pika!"

Leaf and Red watched as Pikachu led Magnemite towards the front door. It hovered a little way off the ground, sluggishly following the mouse.

"Mag?"

Leaf, Red and Mewtwo followed the Pikachu and Magnemite as they made their way outside.

"Helios?" Red asked Mewtwo, "what's going on?"

"It's hungry," Mewtwo explained, "I believe Pikachu is taking it to a safe area so he can feed it with his own voltage."

Leaf's face lit up as she blinked twice.

"Really?" she warbled.

Mewtwo nodded.

"It makes sense for a small robotic Pokémon to not have regular food."

Leaf fluttered her hand.

"I-I mean," Leaf blurted, "I-I didn't expect…Pikachu to pitch in to help."

It didn't take long before they reached a town square with not much electronics to distract the Magnemite. Pikachu locked eyes onto the magnet Pokémon while he rubbed his red cheeks with his paws to generate sparks. Magnemite bounced slightly, seeming eager to feed.

"Piiikaaaaa," Pikachu generated more electric sparks as he readied his stance.

Magnemite spun its magnets and watched the electric mouse.

"Chuuuu!" Pikachu unleashed a Thundershock.

The wave of electricity soon hit the Magnemite. It closed its eye while it absorbed the electric energy. Red, Leaf and Mewtwo stared in awe over the course of a minute until Magnemite recharged itself fully. Pikachu dissipated his Thundershock and took a moment to catch his breath.

"Magne-Magnemite!" Magnemite beeped.

It happily rubbed up against Pikachu with grateful enthusiasm before floating back to Leaf.

"Mag-Mag!"

"You feeling better, buddy?" Leaf smiled.

Leaf ran her hand along Magnemite's large screw head atop its body. Pikachu scampered back towards Red and jumped into his arms.

"Mag!" Magnamite beeped as it closed its eye.

Mewtwo smiled and looked back to the Center. Red grinned and scratched behind Pikachu's ear.

"That was so sweet of you, bud," Red praised.

"Chu!" Pikachu winked at Red, "Pika-pi!"

While Red ruffled his Pikachu's fur, he didn't pay attention to three shadowy figures hiding behind nearby bushes. Mewtwo glanced around again, tensing slightly and sending them a telepathic message as he moved towards the doors.

"I'm going back inside," Mewtwo said.

Pikachu snuggled in Red's arms and Leaf recalled her Magnemite. Mewtwo glanced back to the teens at the door.

"Are you two staying out here?" Mewtwo called over.

Leaf stammered as she sprinted over to Mewtwo.

"Careful," Mewtwo smiled at her and offered his hand discreetly.

Red didn't hesitate to follow the two inside the Center. Jessie, James and Meowth peeked from under the bushes as they kept their binoculars on the building.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" James asked Jessie.

"That sure is one powerful Pikachu!" Meowth commented.

"I think the boss might like it," James agreed, "any ideas?"

Jessie took a moment to think before she removed her binoculars.

"If getting him a Pikachu will win us a promotion," Jessie suggested, "we should give these twerps a distraction."

"Hmm," James placed his finger on his chin, "what kind of distraction?"

Meowth tilted his head towards a house north of the gym.

"Why don't we go raid that house?" Meowth suggested while he raised his paw, "that'll sure stir up some trouble!"

James nodded and casually headed towards the house with Jessie and Meowth following close behind. He stretched his arms and cracked his knuckles.

"Are we knocking and barging in?" he whispered to Jessie.

Jessie shook her head as she patrolled the perimeter of the house.

"Meowth," he followed her and smirked, "you see any vents you can sneak in?"

Meowth found one at the back of the house moments later.

"I guess I'm having all the fun doing some snooping around," Meowth grinned, "somebody get me a screwdriver!"

James checked the tool kit clipped onto his belt. He found a screwdriver and handed it to Meowth, who didn't hesitate to unscrew the screws holding the vent in place. The catlike Pokémon watched his surroundings for anyone or anything that would alarm to their presence. Once the coast was clear, he climbed into the ducts. Meowth meandered through the narrow tunnels in search of a way inside. James stood outside and crossed his arms, tapping his fingers on a bicep.

Jessie and James patrolled the perimeter while avoiding any witnesses until several minutes later, they spotted a hole opening up in the ground at the east side of the house. Seconds later, Meowth emerged with a TM in his possession.

"Great going!" James gave Meowth a thumbs up with a grin, "what did you nab?"

"They had this nice Dig TM," Meowth answered, flashing the TM before his comrades, "and I figured they don't need it anymore."

"That is nice!" James replied, making a brief glance at his partner, "can your Ekans use it, Jessie?"

Jessie brought out her Ekans while Meowth handed the stolen TM to James.

"Ekans," Jessie sang, "I got a surprise for you!"

The snake tilted its head and looked to James as he held out the TM. It flicked its tongue and looked to Jessie as though needing assurance from its trainer.

"Go on," Jessie persuaded, "I'm sure you'll make great uses out of it."

After a moment of silence, Ekans slithered towards James as he knelt down and tapped the TM on its head. A shimmer went over it and it hissed proudly, looking to Jessie as though eager to try the new move. Meowth grinned eagerly himself.

Back at the Pokémon Center, Leaf and Mewtwo sat across from Red in the lounge as he, his Pikachu, Spearow, Paras and Charmander were savoring their lunch. Mewtwo felt calmer now he was back in a safe enclosed environment, though he was starting to feel boredom kick in and was tempted to find something to read. Red paused as he looked up to the TV, frowning at the sudden flash of breaking news.

"We interrupt this program to inform you of these recent events," the reporter announced, "officers are currently investigating an alleged break-in at a home on the northeastern side of Cerulean City."

"That's really close," Red commented, "should we investigate?"

Pikachu climbed onto Red's lap and stared intensely at the TV screen, his ears twitching.

"Pika…"

"Pikachu," Red asked, "you ok?"

Pikachu waved his tail and sat on his trainer's lap.

"Pika."

Mewtwo watched Pikachu, clearly invested enough in what he was saying.

"If you wish to investigate for yourself," Mewtwo informed the two trainers, "then feel free to let me know."

Leaf blinked once before she tilted her head towards Mewtwo.

"You just want an excuse to intimidate the grunts out, right?" Leaf joked.

Mewtwo couldn't help but chuckle at Leaf's comment.

"Perhaps," he smirked at her and glanced back at the TV.

Another minute of ambience passed before Red and his Pokémon finished their lunch. He quickly recalled his Spearow, Paras and Charmander. Pikachu groomed his face and waited for his trainer to give a signal.

"Pikachu," Red grinned, "you ready?"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu nodded eagerly.

Pikachu hopped off of Red's lap, allowing him to stand to his full height. He took the bowls and plate to the cart and went back to the table.

"Are you coming, Leaf," Red called over, "or staying with Helios?"

Leaf and Mewtwo responded by standing to their feet.

"You could use some backup," Leaf suggested, "just in case."

Red gave Leaf a blank stare for a brief moment before he let out a nervous chuckle.

"Uh, thanks, I guess. Let's go then."

Red bolted for the door after letting Pikachu climb to his shoulder. Leaf and Mewtwo followed the boy outside as they meandered through the streets. By the time they reached the house at the northeastern side of Cerulean City, Officer Jenny stood at the front door. Red stepped forward, catching the officer's attention.

"Hey, we heard about the break in," Red said, "is there anything we can do?"

Officer Jenny gave Red a blank stare before she shifted her gaze between Mewtwo and Leaf. The feline psychic Legendary returned that same stare.

"They're my friends," Red gestured to Leaf and Mewtwo, "we wanted to see if we could help."

Officer Jenny nodded as she clasped her hands in front of her.

"The residents are all right," she told them, "so you can ask them any questions. If you find anything suspicious, please let me know."

Red gave Officer Jenny a deep humble bow.

"Yes, ma'am."

Officer Jenny stepped aside, allowing Red to ring the doorbell. Several seconds later, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man.

"Hi, we wanted to check up on you," Red greeted, "can we help with anything?"

"Why," the man smiled, "thank you for your kindness, sir. Please, come in."

The middle-aged man took a step back, encouraging Red, Leaf and Mewtwo to step through the front door. The trio took a moment to examine the living room and kitchen, grimacing at the mess it was in.

"Oh, yikes," Red muttered, "can we help fix the table or clean up or something?"

Pikachu started scampering around the living room and started sniffing the floor in search of clues. Mewtwo also took a moment to scan his surroundings, examining each furniture such as the table with a missing leg and footprints on the floor.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Red asked while he kept his eyes on Pikachu.

Leaf stood closer to Mewtwo as she swayed her torso side to side.

"Well," the middle-aged woman answered, her eyes locked onto an open vent next to the shelf, "it all started when…something…opened that vent."

Mewtwo didn't say anything as he placed his hand on Leaf's shoulder. Red trudged over to the opened vent and crouched down.

"Pikachu," Red called, "over here."

Pikachu perked his ears up and scampered over to the wall, peering into the vent.

"Piikaaa," Pikachu muttered.

"Picking up anything?" Red asked.

Pikachu sniffed at the vent before he raised his tail.

"What is it, bud? Was it a wild Pokémon?"

Mewtwo focused on Pikachu, ready to translate.

"Pika pika chu pika Pikachu," Pikachu started to explain.

Mewtwo interpreted the Pikachu's speech in his head as his eyes glowed.

"I don't think it was a wild Pokémon," Mewtwo corrected.

Red gave Pikachu a slight nod.

"Ok," Red drawled.

In the meantime, Leaf's eyes wandered until they found a hole in the wall in the living room.

"H-Hey," Leaf stammered, "has…anyone checked that hole in the wall?"

Leaf pointed at the hole to emphasize her point. Upon cue, Red strolled over to the right wall of the living room.

"Yeesh," Red commented, "must've been like a Rhydon or something to bust through this."

Mewtwo made a brief glance at the married couple, who stared at the hole in the wall in disbelief.

"I don't think Team Rocket had a Rhydon," the middle-aged woman told Red, "but they made off with our precious family heirlooms."

"They also took my TM," her husband added.

Mewtwo tensed and scanned the room once again.

"What TM was it?" Mewtwo asked.

The middle-aged man made a brief glance at the psychic Legendary.

"It's called Dig," he answered, "who knows what they even want with it…"

Leaf stiffened before she trudged over to the living room and stopped before the hole in the wall. He followed her carefully, taking caution to not collide with any bits of rock or rubble or wall. Red didn't make a glance at the brunette as he frowned at the wall.

"Do you think they used it on this wall?"

Leaf reached into her bag before she sent out her Squirtle. The tiny turtle made a brief glance at the hole in the wall and got into a battle stance.

"You ready to go, Squirt Squirt?" Leaf chirped.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle started scratching at the floor with his front paws, "Squirt, Squirt, Squirt, Squirt…"

Mewtwo placed his hands on Red and Leaf's shoulders as he peered through the hole.

"Whatever they're planning," Mewtwo told them, "they won't get away with it."

Leaf and Red gave a piercing stare as they followed Mewtwo outside. Pikachu and Squirtle scampered after them. The instant they set foot outside, they laid their eyes on Jessie, James and Meowth as they sorted through stolen items. Pikachu sparked his cheeks as he stopped in his tracks. Meowth's ear twitched and he glanced behind him, spying Pikachu and then the humans.

"Uh-oh."

Jessie and James paused before tilting their heads towards their Meowth.

"Meowth?" James paused.

"We should probably run," Meowth peeped as he grabbed an armful of valuables.

Jessie felt sweat beads form on her forehead as she turned her eyes towards Mewtwo. He tilted his head as he waited for an answer.

"No time for the motto right now!" Jessie barked, "Ekans, you know what to do!"

Ekans hissed and propelled itself into the air before it dug into the ground. Mewtwo tensed and grasped Leaf and Red's shoulders.

"W-What kind of trick is that?!" Leaf demanded.

"With your word," Mewtwo offered, "I can lift you two off the ground."

Leaf made a brief glance at Mewtwo while Red and Pikachu exchanged gazes.

"Pikachu?" Red called.

Pikachu was watching the ground and bracing to jump as soon as he saw the ground crack, kicking away and shocking the Ekans which lay stunned once it impacted with the ground again. Still, the snake Pokémon slowly recovered itself, ready to strike again.

Feel free to drop a review, because Mewtwo is in need of emotional support!

Mewtwo and Leaf would also like to see any memes you can come up with related to this fanfic!