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.


By late afternoon, Leaf, Red, Gary and Mewtwo left Cerulean City and set foot into Route Five. As they strolled by large patches of grass, they watched as Oddishes retreated for the day. Squirtle kept up at a leisurely pace beside his trainer and watched the various birds roosting. Mewtwo glanced to the birds and tilted his head, having a silent telepathic conversation with the starter.

Pikachu strolled alongside Red's Charmander while Gary sauntered alongside his Bulbasaur. Leaf took a moment to document a wild Meowth in her Pokédex before she carried on. Mewtwo sometimes used his tail to cushion his back against the bag as it rattled with every step. During their stroll, Leaf made a brief glance at a building on her left which had a fence spanning to the edge of the nearest patch of grass. When she read the sign above the door, she simply shrugged and continued walking alongside her friends.

They continued their journey down the route until they reached the gate to Saffron City an hour later. Much to their dismay, a 'Closed' sign was plastered onto the doors.

"Dammit," Gary grumbled.

"Interesting," Mewtwo placed his spherical-tipped finger on his chin, "why would a city be shut? Is it quarantined?"

Leaf clasped her hands behind her back while she swung one leg back and forth.

"I-I'm not sure," Red admitted as he placed his hand behind his head, "I really should get a news app for my Pokégear."

"If you'd like," Mewtwo offered, "I could fly over and check."

Gary thought over the question as he scratched his head. In the meantime, Pikachu tilted his head to his left and spotted a small building with a slanted roof. Mewtwo took a moment to fly to the roof of the border gate and scanned his surroundings in search of anything suspicious crawling about the city. Strangely enough, he didn't find any single light in any building of the city. Not even the street lights would come on considering the sun almost finished setting over the horizon. After a moment of silence, the Genetic Pokémon floated back down to the young trainers.

"The city is in a blackout right now," Mewtwo told them.

Red blinked twice.

"I guess the inner gates are locked. Should we go back to Cerulean or do we wanna set up camp?" he looked down when Pikachu tugged on his pants.

"Yeah?" Red turned his gaze to the building that was pointed out, "guess we could camp out in there if it's not trespassing?"

Gary chuckled as he shrugged.

"It's the Underground Pass," Gary reminded, "anyone can use it to get to Vermilion City."

"I guess we're going that way tomorrow then," Red agreed, "let's camp in there."

Upon cue, Mewtwo led the three trainers and their Pokémon towards the entrance to the small building. Once they stepped inside, they descended a flight of stairs leading to a long hallway. Red scanned his surroundings as the dim lights lining the walls barely lit the tunnel.

"This should be fun," Red muttered to himself.

As they started strolling down the tunnel, Leaf stayed close to Mewtwo as she fluttered her hand. Pikachu would exchange glances between Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur as they trotted alongside their trainers. They sniffed at the ground, hoping to find something which would pique their interest. Mewtwo held onto the straps of the backpack now that he didn't have to worry about strangers seeing his hands, ducking his head down slightly. By the time they made it halfway through, they scanned their surroundings, taking note of a door leading to a bathroom stall, before they set down their bags.

"I guess we'll be picking this spot," Red informed.

Mewtwo nodded and put his bag down, rolling the cloak up. Even when the tunnel didn't have enough room for a tent, he still pulled out the sleeping bags and pillows while Red checked the ingredients in his backpack.

"Where would you like me to stay," Mewtwo asked, "so I'm not in the way?"

Red and Gary gave Mewtwo a blank stare while Leaf examined the sleeping bags. The boys struggled to think of a possible suggestion while the young girl stepped over to where the psychic Legendary picked out her sleeping bag and laid it out.

"You can have a spot next to me," Leaf offered, giving Mewtwo a reassuring smile.

Mewtwo gave Leaf a slow nod.

Leaf took this chance to reach her hand forward as she shifted into a kneeling position. Mewtwo carefully took her hand and moved to sit next to her. From there, Red pulled out a package of burger steak, bread and Moomoo cheese.

"Gary," Red reminded, "you did get the trail mix for our Pokémon, right?"

Gary nodded with a grin while he opened his backpack. Mewtwo let his tail lay beside the length of Leaf's sleeping bag, trying to relax. Darting into the bathroom stall, Pikachu jumped up onto the sink and sniffed at the taps.

"So what did you have for dinner tonight?" Gary quipped after pulling out a bag of Pokémon trail mix.

Mewtwo reached for his bag and opened it, using his telekinesis to levitate some equipment out.

"I'm in the mood for using the burger to make sandwiches," Red suggested.

Leaf smiled and fluttered both hands.

"Sure!" she chirped.

"I'd like to taste them," Mewtwo added, "if I may."

Red smiled at Mewtwo before he sent out his Spearow and Paras while Gary sent out his Beedrill and Rattata. While Red started setting up a portable stove, Leaf sent out her Magnemite, Sandshrew, Nidoran, Pidgeotto and Bellsprout. As Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur gathered around their fellow teammates, Gary gave Leaf a blank stare.

"Something you'd like to say?" Mewtwo spoke into Gary's head.

Gary snapped out of his thoughts and locked eyes onto Mewtwo.

"I'm just baffled Leaf has more Pokémon than Red and I do," Gary commented.

"Pika?" Pikachu perked his ears up.

"She's a tactical trainer," Mewtwo tried to explain, "I'm surprised you two don't have full parties."

Gary placed his hand behind his head.

"What do you mean," he blurted, "we're just looking for ones that could suit our team. Right, Red?"

Red set a skillet atop the portable stove.

"Yeah," Red nodded without making a single glance, "I'm more in it to win it and all that."

Leaf retrieved a can of lemonade while Gary pulled out bowls before pouring some trail mix into each one. The brunette checked Mewtwo's bag for a package of salad mix before pouring its contents into one bowl.

"Squirt Squirt!" Leaf called over.

Squirtle perked up and ran over to Leaf's side.

"Squirtle squirtle!"

He sat by the bowl and started eating. Pikachu waited by Gary, ears and tail twitching eagerly. Red started assembling the sandwiches before he placed the first burger on the skillet.

"Are these particular ones not safe to eat raw?" Mewtwo asked.

"Specifically not the meat," Red shook his head.

"Alright. I won't risk my health on your food laws," he sniffed towards them, intrigued by the cooking smell.

Gary, having finished filling the bowls and distributing them among the Pokémon, set off to retrieve bottles of fresh water for himself and Red. He pulled out another bottle of fresh water and locked eyes onto Mewtwo.

"Want this one?" Gary called over.

Mewtwo gazed at Gary while he used his telekinesis to pluck the bottle out of the redhead's hand.

"Thank you," Mewtwo told Gary.

Psychic particles danced in his fingertips as Mewtwo unscrewed the lid and took a sip. A minute later, Red used the spatula to flip the burger onto its other side. As the psychic Legendary watched with intrigue, Leaf blinked twice before she scooted closer to him. Using both hands, she grasped his arm which caught his attention, encouraging him to wrap it behind her back with his hand clutching her right shoulder. His smile remained on his face as he curled his tail until it wrapped around her waist. He'd never expected this much contact with a human but he didn't think it could be so comforting. Squirtle glanced over, smiled with a mouthful of lettuce leaves and continued to eat.

By the time Red finished cooking the first burger, he placed it onto a piece of bread and completed the sandwich before he got to work cooking the next burger. He kept up this procedure over the course of several minutes until he finished cooking the remaining three burgers on the skillet. He proceeded to serve the sandwiches to Leaf, Gary and Mewtwo before he kept one for himself. They all didn't hesitate as they started munching on their sandwiches. Mewtwo followed Leaf's example and glanced at Red.

"Nicely done," Mewtwo spoke into Red's head.

"Thanks," Red nodded as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

He stayed relaxed as he ate, his tail drooping a little. As the psychic Legendary and the three trainers took bites of their sandwiches and took sips of their drinks at intervals, Mewtwo observed their Pokémon as they exchanged chatter while munching on their assorted meals.

After they finished their dinner a while later, the four gathered the equipment and pulled out their pajamas. Leaf, Red and Gary took turns using the nearby bathroom stall to change clothes. Mewtwo packed up the equipment for them and set it aside, moving to lay down and trying not to take up too much space. By the time Leaf emerged from the stall in her pajamas, she reached into her bag and pulled out her Togepi doll before slipping into her sleeping bag.

"I almost wish I had a book to read," Mewtwo spoke into her head.

Leaf smiled as she hugged her Togepi doll closer.

"Maybe we could find a bookstore at some point," Leaf suggested.

"I appreciate the thought," Mewtwo purred.

While Red and Gary settled into their sleeping bags, the Pokémon gathered around their trainers with Pikachu giving his trainer affectionate headbutts. Squirtle lay down between the two and tucked himself into his shell. Mewtwo scanned his surroundings one more time before he settled into his sleeping bag and rested his head onto his pillow. He hadn't slept in a long time, but it would be a better time passer than staring at the ceiling all night.

Little did they know, someone walking in on them would be the least thing to worry about that night.

Hours passed on to late at night when the lights lining the path grew dimmer. The three trainers and their Pokémon were sound asleep. Even if they were blissfully ignorant of the eerie silence, they could consider themselves lucky no one entered the passageway late at night. Yet, Mewtwo's tail was twitching in his sleep and the telekinetic aura surrounded himself. Even in his sleep, he hugged his arms to his chest and breathed heavily.

He's nothing more than a specimen!

You were created by humans to obey humans. You could never be our equal.

As voices echoed in his head, sweat beads started coating his hairless skin. Squirtle woke up as other objects started lifting into the air, brushing and rocking his shell. He peeked out to examine Mewtwo and gave a quiet but concerned noise. Pikachu's ears twitched and he blinked awake, examining everything that glowed in the psychic aura.

"Pika?"

Without warning, the nearby lights started flickering on and off. Red hid his face in the light and started to open his eyes.

"Already?"

Mewtwo, now panting heavily, felt the uncomfortable sensation of machinery restraining him. He couldn't help but see a reflection of himself imprisoned in that…suit of armor. He hated every second it suppressed his power. Seconds later, the camping equipment started levitating into the air.

"Uh, Mewt- Helios?" Red blurted.

Much to Red's dismay, Mewtwo didn't wake up. Pikachu hesitantly got up and went to pat his arm.

"Pika?"

Mewtwo still didn't respond, but without warning, telekinetic auras started to envelop Pikachu and Squirtle and their eyes widened when they levitated into the air.

"Pika Pika!"

Red sat up, peeking over his sleeping bag at his Pikachu's startled cry.

"Mewtwo! Wake up!"

Squirtle attempted to splash water onto his face, but grimaced when he missed. Just as the rest of the Pokémon started levitating into the air, Leaf and Gary slowly opened their eyes.

"Geez, Red," Gary grumbled as he rubbed his eyes, "what's going on?"

Red glanced over his shoulder as Gary wiggled out of his sleeping bag.

"It's Mewtwo," Red answered, "I think something's wrong with him."

"W-Wha…?" Leaf blurted.

When Leaf tilted her head to her right, her eyes widened in shock as Mewtwo shivered and panted heavily. She carefully slipped out of her sleeping bag and crawled over to the psychic Legendary.

"Mewtwo!" Leaf called, "can you hear me? Mewtwo!"

His eyes flew open at her voice, pure white but there seemed to be further reaction to her voice. Somewhere deep inside his brain, the voice jabbed at something…some old murky memory. No time for that now. He had to get to somewhere safe. Mewtwo sat upright and panted heavily, his hand clutching at his chest. Red and Gary shuddered and Leaf covered her ears with her hands when the floating objects dropped and clanged onto the floor, the loud noise echoing across the tunnel. Pikachu scrambled into his trainer's arms, his red cheeks emitting nervous sparks.

"Mewtwo," Red asked, "are you ok?"

Mewtwo took over a minute to calm himself before he shifted his gaze towards the three trainers, reading their worried expressions.

"W-Was it a nightmare?" Leaf stammered.

Mewtwo nodded.

"This," Mewtwo admitted, "is why I don't sleep."

Squirtle blinked twice as he lowered his head.

"Squirtle…"

"Well," Gary drawled, "must've been a close call."

Leaf sighed as she leaned closer to Mewtwo.

"I-If it's not much to ask," Leaf requested, "can I keep you company?"

Mewtwo took a moment to read the brunette's thoughts, understanding what she meant beyond just her words. He blinked twice, taking deeper and calming breaths before giving a nod.

"Perhaps," Mewtwo answered, "you may try if you wish. I'm not sure if I'll sleep again tonight regardless."

He scanned over the Pokémon, confirming they were nothing but shaken by the events. While Leaf slipped into Mewtwo's sleeping bag, Gary ran his hand along his Bulbasaur's head.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur chirped.

"Yeah," Gary agreed, "might as well go back to sleep."

Pikachu calmed down and curled up in Red's arms. The boys started making their way back to their sleeping bags while Mewtwo wrapped his arms around the young girl. He felt a pang of what could've been guilt.

"Are you going to be warm enough?" he asked her.

"Yup," Leaf nodded with a smile, "especially with you around."

He smiled and gently rested his chin on her hair, sighing quietly. Mewtwo purred as Red and Gary slipped back into their sleeping bags with Pikachu happily asleep in Red's arms. As sleep started to cloud Leaf's eyes, the rest of the Pokémon settled back into their suitable spots with Squirtle nestling next to his trainer and the feline psychic Legendary.

He couldn't help but wonder if he could be welcomed with open arms into Pallet Town.


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

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