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.


Once morning rolled in, Leaf, Mewtwo, Red and Gary emerged from the southern entrance to the Underground Path and set foot into Route Six. As they started passing large patches of grass, they took note of a large pond at a distance. The psychic Legendary kept vigilant on their surroundings as the three trainers inspected the nearest large patch of grass. The professor's grandson trudged carefully as he pushed blades of grass aside. It didn't take long for him to uncover an Abra hiding among the grass.

"Oh," he whispered, "so cool!"

Gary quietly reached into his bag and pulled out an empty Poké Ball. The Abra bobbed up and down, clearly undisturbed by the humans' presence. Red watched them and glanced over to Gary's movement while Pikachu crept over to watch. The professor's grandson thought fast and threw the Poké Ball, watching as it bopped on the Abra's head before opening up and absorbing the Pokémon. Gary kept his eyes glued onto the Poké Ball as it dropped to the ground. Leaf, having noticed his attempt to catch the next team member, started to gesture her hand to count with her fingers each time the Poké Ball shook.

Pikachu waved his tail in time with the counting and stood on his tiptoes eagerly. Mewtwo tilted his head, intrigued how he didn't battle it to weaken it first. But he could sense its heightened teleporting power and assumed it wouldn't have given Gary much of a chance. After the third shake, the Poké Ball's release button flashed green. Pikachu bounced up and down, chirping excitedly. Red gave his rival a thumbs up and looked around for something for himself.

Mewtwo smiled and glanced at Leaf, relieved considering the rest of the sleepless night. She didn't do much apart from swaying her torso side to side. Still, she kept her Pokédex in hand as she continued peering through the tall grass.

"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Mewtwo asked.

He stopped as his eyes landed on someone sitting by the water's edge, just visible over the top of the grass strands. He narrowed his eyes as he studied the human.

"I-I think I'm covered for now," Leaf fluttered her left hand.

Pikachu took a moment to emerge from the patch of tall grass before he scratched behind his ear with his foot. Red kept his eye on the electric mouse while Mewtwo readjusted his cloak. Gary held the Poké Ball in his hands while he stepped out of the tall grass, his eyes taking in the scenery until he noticed the human near the pond, observing as he reeled something in with a fishing rod. The psychic Legendary folded his arms, amused by the human's struggle with whatever he just caught. When Leaf and Red stepped out of the tall grass, their faces lit up with interest.

"Hey," Red called over as his hands gestured to imitate a megaphone, "got a big one?"

The fisherman managed to finish reeling in, only to grimace at the sight of a Heart Scale caught in the hook.

"Aww," Red pouted, "looked like you were getting something big."

The fisherman sighed as he glanced over his shoulder. He crouched down to pet Pikachu.

"Sorry, I'm probably bothering you."

"N-No, it's fine!" Leaf stuttered as she flapped her hands, "we were just curious, sir!"

Red made a brief glance at Leaf before he took a step forward.

"Well," Red mused, "I always wanted to learn to fish."

The fisherman chuckled as he yanked the Heart Scale off the fishing hook.

"Well, I appreciate the enthusiasm, lad," the fisherman replied, "I'll be happy to teach you a trick or two."

Gary stepped out of the tall grass while Leaf stashed her Pokédex into her messenger bag.

"Thanks, sir," Red nodded, "you wanna try, too, Pikachu?"

Pikachu peered into the water and wagged his tail, seeming to be figure out whether he could use his tail to fish with. Leaf glanced over her shoulder and noticed as a bug catcher scoured the patches of tall grass in search of whatever bug type Pokémon could be crawling in the grass.

"Hey, I have a better idea," Gary suggested while he raised his hand, "why don't we hold a fishing contest?"

Leaf shook her head and took a step back.

"I'll pass," she declined.

"I'll go for it," Red grinned.

Mewtwo placed his hand on Leaf's shoulder while Red and Gary approached the fisherman. She reached in and pulled out her Itemfinder.

"You think we'll find anything interesting with this?" she suggested.

"I do," Mewtwo answered, "there's bound to be something around here."

Leaf flipped on the Itemfinder's tiny switch and held it out in front of her with both hands, keeping her eyes locked onto the device's pair of antennae. Mewtwo made a brief glance at the antennae, but he kept watch of the horizon ahead of them. After a moment of silence, the device beeped and the antennae swiveled right, compelling both Leaf and Mewtwo to turn in that direction. As they strolled through the tall grass, they slipped past the occasional Oddish, allowing them to go on their merry way. Even when the device beeped at intervals, the brunette shifted her gaze between the screen and her surroundings. Several more steps and the device started beeping more rapidly, the antennae swiveling left.

"Getting warmer," Leaf said to herself.

Mewtwo examining the grass, determined to see if he could find any form of unevenness in the grass where the object might be hiding. He soon pointed to a spot nearby, so Leaf crouched into the ground and dug into the soil with one hand. She reached in and pulled out a marble.

"Sweet!" she chirped.

Leaf made a brief glance to her left and watched as Red and Gary each held a fishing rod in their hands. Mewtwo bent closer to examine the pretty orb.

"What is this?" Mewtwo asked her, "it looks too small to be a weapon."

"It's a marble," Leaf answered.

"So what's the purpose of a marble?" Mewtwo inquired.

"They're really great toys," Leaf added, "I gotta get a bag to store them once we get to Vermilion City."

"Perhaps there are more around here?" Mewtwo nodded in agreement.

Shortly after he cast his fishing rod, Red stared intensely at his bobber, waiting for it to sink. Leaf proceeded to use the fabric of her sleeveless tunic to wipe the dirt off the marble. Shortly after she stashed it into her pocket, she and Mewtwo continued their stroll through the tall grass. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a picnicker trainer as she stood in anticipation as a Poké Ball shook on the ground.

"Come on," the picnicker said to herself, "come on, come on…"

Without warning, an Oddish burst free from the Poké Ball, shattering it before it skittered off much to the picnicker trainer's dismay.

"Awww!" the picnicker whined, "I was so close!"

Leaf didn't bother to say anything, not wanting to risk agitating the picnicker's anger. Instead, she simply rocked side to side. Before long, the picnicker trainer glanced over her shoulder and locked eyes onto the brunette and the Genetic Pokémon.

"Excuse me," the picnicker called over, "I need to blow off some steam. You up for a battle?"

Leaf snapped out of her thoughts and stashed her Itemfinder into her bag.

"I don't have anything better to do," Leaf admitted with a shrug, "so…"

The picnicker nodded just as she pulled out a Poké Ball and sent out her Rattata. Leaf responded by sending out her Bellsprout. Mewtwo stepped back and watched them with her Squirtle who sat and shouted with encouragement. Bellsprout stretched and swayed slightly, watching the purple rodent.

"Rattata," the picnicker commanded, "Tackle!"

"Dodge it!" Leaf countered.

The Rattata charged after the Bellsprout, only for the plant Pokémon to jump out of the way.

"Now use Vine Whip!"

Bellsprout waved his leaves forward, sending vines to emerge from the stems, trying to slash at the rat-like.

"Sprout!"

Even with Rattata dodging, Bellsprout still kept swinging his vines. After several tries, one vine slammed into the purple rodent hard. Bellsprout didn't hesitate to wrap his vine around Rattata before swinging it into the air. The picnicker winced as the tiny plant Pokémon then slammed her purple rodent into the ground.

Mewtwo eyed the Rattata carefully before it plopped onto its belly. The picnicker huffed before she recalled her Rattata and sent out a Pikachu. Leaf took a brief glance at the next opponent before she recalled her Bellsprout.

"Go, Sandshrew!"

Leaf tossed the correlating Poké Ball and watched it open up, the white energy particles forming into Sandshrew as he landed on his feet. Strangely enough, the picnicker stared in disbelief.

"A-A ground type?" she warbled.

Leaf fluttered her hand as she avoided gazing into the picnicker's eyes.

"Your Pikachu has a Plan B, right?" Leaf blurted.

The picnicker clenched her fists.

"Pikachu," she ordered, "Quick Attack!"

The Pikachu positioned itself before it started charging after the Sandshrew, ramming into the ground Pokémon and sending it flying. Leaf's breath quickened but before she could panic, her Sandshrew recovered himself and landed on his feet.

"Ok," Leaf commanded, "use Dig!"

Sandshrew burrowed into the ground, listening for the Pikachu's heartbeat above him. Once he heard it he quickly shredded the dirt and soil between his claws, rushing up towards the Pikachu and aiming to attack with either his claws or solid rounded head. Perhaps some specks would get in the mouse's eyes and help give him an advantage. When he emerged from a newly formed hole, the shrew Pokémon tackled into the electric mouse.

This sent the Pikachu flying and it squealed as it impacted back on the ground. Sandshrew simply landed nimbly and shook the specks of the underground off his scales, waiting for his opponent to get up. The electric mouse staggered before it plopped onto its belly. In a brief moment of silence, the picnicker trainer fidgeted nervously as she kept her eyes locked onto her Pikachu. Sandshrew peered carefully, swaying side to side quickly ever so slightly to be ready to move should it be a ploy. Seconds later, Pikachu pushed itself to its feet.

"All right!" the picnicker cheered, "try again, Pikachu!"

Pikachu scratched at the ground with its front paws before it charged at the Sandshrew.

"Sand Attack!" Leaf instructed.

Upon cue, Sandshrew used his foot to kick up sand before spraying it at the incoming Pikachu. The electric mouse reeled back and squeaked the instant it got sand in its eyes. It gave a confident snort and swayed back and forth again, waiting in case it tried charging one more time.

"Now use Rollout!"

Sandshrew curled into a ball and rolled across the ground, speeding up along the way. Before the Pikachu could react, its opponent rammed into it. He turned, following his opponent's trajectory, spraying up dirt and aimed at it again. Still rolling along the ground, he collided into the electric mouse again, sending it flying before it crashed down onto the ground. The opposing Pikachu sighed before it passed out onto the ground. The picnicker stared in disbelief before she recalled her Pokémon.

"Geez," the picnicker groaned, "are you some sort of mind reader?!"

Before Leaf could respond, the picnicker pushed past her as she stormed off. The brunette managed to retain balance in her feet before she and Mewtwo exchanged confused looks. After a moment of silence, they returned their gaze to Red and Gary. Without warning, the professor's grandson gasped as something tugged at the bobber.

"Hey, Red!" Gary exclaimed happily, "I got something!"

Red gave a blank stare while his Pikachu perked up his ears.

"Well, go on," Red beckoned, "reel it in!"

Gary nodded before he started reeling in his potential catch. The next thing the boys knew, they watched as the fishing line dragged a Magikarp out of the water.

"R-Really?!" Red exclaimed, "a Magikarp?!"

While Red stared in disbelief, Gary grinned before he reached for an empty Poké Ball.

"Oh, I'm catching this one!"

Mewtwo nodded in agreement, tilting his head with intrigue.

"Interesting choice for a teammate," he mused.

Gary scoffed before he tossed the Poké Ball at the Magikarp, watching as it absorbed the fish and the dropped to the edge of the water. While the professor's grandson and his rival fixated on the shaking ball, Pikachu kept his eyes locked onto the bobber from his trainer's fishing rod. Red's eyes darted between the bobber and the Poké Ball. Seconds later, the ball's release button flashed a green color as it stopped shaking. Gary smiled and picked up the Poké Ball. Red shrugged and looked back to his bobber.

"Whatever floats your boat, dude," Red drawled.

Moments later, something tugged at Red's bobber, so he thought fast and reeled in his catch. It didn't take long for a Poliwag to emerge from the water.

"Pika!" Pikachu chirped happily.

"Ha! Yes, this is a good one!" he tried to yank it to the shore and scrambled on his belt for an empty Poké Ball, "Pikachu, you wanna fight it?"

Pikachu nodded as he shifted into a battle stance. Smiling, Leaf casually flapped her hands.

"Cutest Poliwag ever!" Leaf chirped to herself.

Leaf reached into her messenger bag and pulled out her Pokédex before she turned it on and held it before Red's catch.

{Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. Its tail makes it a strong swimmer despite is lack of arms. Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well, thus it prefers swimming over walking. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.}

"Thanks, Leaf!" Red glanced over his shoulder, "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

Pikachu didn't hesitate as he charged into the Poliwag, sending it crashing into the ground. They watched carefully as the tadpole wiggled its legs in its useless attempt to get back up.

"Poké Ball," Red called out, "go!"

Red tossed the Poké Ball at the Poliwag, watching as it captured the tadpole before it dropped on the ground. Leaf gestured her hand to count to three while the ball shook. After the third shake, the release button flashed green.

"Yes!" Red grinned as he raised his fist into the air, "we're gonna have to battle them sometime, huh, Gary?"

"Sure," Gary shrugged, "before we take on the Vermilion Gym, that is."

"Should we start training for that? I mean Leaf'll have no problem with her Sandshrew."

While they would take the time to think over the question, Red and Gary picked up the fishing rods they borrowed and held them out to the fisherman.

"Thank you for the fishing lesson, sir," Red and Gary said in unison.

The fisherman gave them a blank stare before he chuckled.

"Oh, you're welcome," he prattled on, "but you can keep those fishing rods. I had an excess of them in my closet for a while. Speaking of which…"

The fisherman reached for another fishing rod before he held it out to the boys.

"Maybe your girl can have this one," he suggested, "she could get a use out of it once you show her the ropes."

Leaf couldn't help but stammer while Mewtwo smiled.

"Uh, sure," she blurted, "why not?"

"Perhaps you can show me as well?" Mewtwo spoke into the boys' minds.

Red stepped over to the fisherman, taking the extra fishing rod out of his hands.

"Thank you, sir," Red added, "she's her own girl, though."

Leaf withdrew her Sandshrew and accepted the fishing rod from Red.

"You kids take care," the fisherman waved his hand with a smile.


Feel free to drop a review, because Mewtwo and Leaf could use some emotional support!

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