Well, since it's around the start of April, I will gladly say Happy Autism Acceptance Month! I recommend wearing red or gold instead of blue to stand in solidarity with autistic people across the globe. Autism Speaks deserves no support whatsoever because their agenda is absolutely no good.
Anyways, I'm almost finished catching up with SaoirseParisa's Pokémon: A Marvelous Journey Johto Arc, and I'm enjoying the plot points, the characters and all the twists that come in every now and then. I just gotta thoroughly read the latest chapter.
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.
Leaf, Red, Gary and Mewtwo spent the next few hours traveling the route, with the trainers taking turns challenging other trainers to battle passing by. The instant they set foot into Vermilion City, the three trainers stopped in their tracks and took a moment to stretch their limbs. After stretching her arms, Leaf swayed her torso side to side. Red cradled Pikachu in his arms while he scratched behind his ears. Pikachu melted slightly at the sensation, purring quietly. Mewtwo took a deep breath of the salty air, remembering the moment with Leaf on the hill and starting to relax again.
"Should we locate the Center," Red asked, "get a room booked?"
"Sure," Gary nodded and folded his arms, "after that, we get to explore the city."
Thus, they made a quick trip to the Pokémon Center to heal up their Pokémon at the counter. After lunch, they stepped outside. Gary let out a startled yelp as a punk trainer pushed past him, sprinting as if he was almost in a hurry.
"Ok," Gary griped, "what was that all about?!"
Gary faced the others and noticed as Leaf, Mewtwo and Red gave him confused stares. The psychic Legendary perked his head up when he heard distant squeals of joy to his right. Red and Gary followed the Pokémon's gaze and stared with blank expressions as a large crowd gathered around three teenagers. Leaf moaned softly the instantly she recognized Eloise waving her hand with a grin, bearing her pearly white teeth. The fans waiting in line ranged from young to old, male and female, even the average teenage girl swooned whenever they caught a glimpse of her. On both sides of the line stood stands displaying personalized pamphlets available for anyone eager to learn more about the beauty pageant of the Kalos region.
"I…didn't realize there was a celebrity meet and greet going on," Red muttered.
Mewtwo narrowed his eyes and stood in front of Leaf, blocking her view of her bullies while her hands pressed more tightly against her ears. Yet, even that action wasn't enough to drown out the enthusiastic squeals completely.
"Let's move on. I'm sure they won't bother us," Mewtwo suggested, "I'm surprised my projections of her misdeeds didn't reach this far."
Leaf nodded sheepishly as she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes locked onto a bookstore a couple blocks away. She turned on her feet and dashed down the street. The sooner she could escape the overwhelming noise, the better. It was all Mewtwo could do to focus on walking quickly instead of lifting off enough to fly after her in order to keep up. He did cheat slightly to use his telekinesis to open the doors ahead for her, allowing her to keep her hands to her ears until she was within the silencing environment. Red ran after the two of them until he found them in the reception area of the store.
"Are you ok?"
Leaf shifted her gaze towards Red as she panted and her hands perched on her thighs, still not gazing into the boy's eyes.
"I-I'm fine," Leaf stammered, "I-I just don't trust that girl."
Pikachu twitched his ears before they drooped slightly.
"Piikaaa…" Pikachu let out a worried squeak.
Just then, Gary stepped through the door and caught up to them. Mewtwo glared at the door until it shut quickly, and then he started scanning his surroundings.
"Were you looking for anything particular in here?" Mewtwo asked her, "or would you like to wander around?"
With the noise from the outdoors blocked out, Leaf removed her hands from her ears.
"Maybe," she stammered, "maybe we can just…have a look around and find any titles you want."
"I would appreciate something to read at night," Mewtwo agreed, "to substitute for sleeping."
Mewtwo started browsing the shelves, making sure the hood stayed up while he tilted his head sideways to read the titles.
"Why do humans insist on piling or writing these sideways?"
Red chuckled as he placed his hand behind his head.
"Beats me," he quipped.
Leaf browsed another shelf across the one Red and Gary were, examining each manga title even when none of them piqued her interest. Mewtwo pulled out a book after a few minutes of searching and carefully flipped through it. When he closed the book, he examined the title Clash of the Weather Trio engraved on the front cover. Underneath the title, he noticed three rare Pokémon stylized in a form of tribal art and arranged in a triangle.
"Leaf," Mewtwo called out with his telepathy, "do you recognize these Pokémon?"
Leaf paused in her tracks and glanced over her shoulder. She stepped back over to Mewtwo just as he angled the book, allowing her to examine the front cover.
"I think I recognize Rayquaza," she answered, pointing to the Pokémon image just beneath the title.
He nodded and scanned the first few pages for any explanation on the dragon-like Pokémon.
"Intriguing. Thank you."
Mewtwo held the book in one hand while he kept exploring the store, browsing more shelves with the three trainers following close behind. The psychic Legendary picked out another title 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea while Red and his Pikachu browsed some picture books at another shelf. Leaf strolled alongside the Genetic Pokémon until she laid her eyes on a particular book. When she pulled it off the shelf, she read the book's title The Squirtle Squad. Thoughts swam in her head in a moment of silence. Mewtwo flipped through the book in his hands before shifting his glace towards Leaf. He waited for her to react before assuming it was safe to speak.
"Helios," Leaf asked, "you think Squirtle would love this?"
Mewtwo blinked as Leaf gestured to the title of the book in her hands. The psychic Legendary took note of the artwork of an ensemble of several Squirtles.
"I'm sure he would," Mewtwo nodded.
Leaf smiled as she clutched the book to her chest. Once the trainers and their Legendary companion finished browsing the bookstore, they made their way to the counter and paid for the books they picked out. Shortly after they left the bookstore, they stepped out into the patio, where Leaf and Mewtwo settled at a bench, taking caution to not disturb the flock of Pidgeys as they foraged the pavement for leftover crumbs. While Red and Gary stepped over to the makeshift battlefield and took a few moments to stretch their limbs, the brunette brought out her Squirtle and her TM Case.
"Squirt Squirt," Leaf chirped, "wanna try out this TM? Squirt Squirt?"
Squirtle examined as Leaf pulled out a TM labeled Water Pulse, blinking twice and tilting his head sideways.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle chirruped happily.
Leaf smiled and tilted her head sideways.
"Ok," she replied, "one Water Pulse coming right up!"
Squirtle tilted his head upwards just as Leaf tapped the TM onto his head. Mewtwo smiled and turned his eyes to the book he had briefly, attention snatched by the warm up chant Pikachu started doing to himself, stretching and hopping from foot to foot. As Squirtle committed the new move into memory, Gary sent out his Beedrill.
"Pikachu, you ready?" Red called over.
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped before pouncing into a battle stance.
Mewtwo smiled and glanced in the direction of the crowd again before diverting his hearing concentration between the two and reading silently, somehow never losing focus. Mewtwo looked around every now and then, enjoying the book on the mythical Pokémon. Human creativity continued to fascinate him. He also kept an ear out for Eloise's group, ready to defend Leaf again should he need to. In the meantime, Squirtle finished memorizing the new move, so Leaf put the TM back into its case. As Squirtle sat next to his trainer, Gary's Beedrill readied its stingers.
"Get him with a Fury Attack!" Gary ordered.
Beedrill's wings flapped rapidly as it charged after Pikachu. The electric mouse thought fast and leapt out of the way. Squirtle, still gazing at the battle in his sight, let out an enthusiastic chirp.
"Thundershock!"
"Pika-Chuuuuu!" lightning sparked from Pikachu's cheeks, arching towards the giant bug.
The lightning struck Beedrill, enveloping it in an electric field which stopped it in its tracks. Once the lightning dissipated, the insect Pokémon stiffened midair. Gary stared as static sparks impeded his Beedrill's movement. Pikachu smirked and waved his tail.
"O-Ok, Beedrill," Gary clamored, "let's get him with a Pursuit!"
"Drill!" Beedrill readied its stingers.
Beedrill started pursuing Pikachu again, but it moved much more slowly. The electric mouse watched the insect's movement while he jumped to the side. Leaf and Mewtwo watched carefully as Beedrill perched onto the ground in an effort to catch its breath.
"Crap," Gary groaned.
Red couldn't help but grin even when he maintained his composture.
"Ok, Pikachu," Red commanded, "Quick Attack!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu darted forward and rammed into the Beedrill, sending it flying backwards before it crashed into the ground. Gary stared in disbelief as his insect Pokémon plopped its head to the ground.
"W-Wow," Gary stammered, "I say your Pikachu's really strong."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu chirped as he took a bow.
Gary sighed as he withdrew his Beedrill while Pikachu skittered out of the battlefield.
"Ok then," Gary said, "I choose Rattata!"
Gary sent out his Rattata while Red sent out his Spearow. The Spearow preened a feather quickly before looking to the Rattata, turning his head to examine it.
"Row?"
"Heya, Spearow!" Red smiled, "ready for a battle?"
Spearow lifted its head up high and spread its wings. Likewise, Gary's Rattata scratched at the ground. Leaf and Mewtwo watched as Spearow and Rattata scratched, tackled and gnawed at one another until the purple rat was unable to battle. Next, Gary sent out his Magikarp which Pikachu was easily able to take out, much to the professor's grandson's chagrin. After that, Gary sent out his Abra into battle, who endured much of the fight, going so far as to take out Red's Spearow, Poliwag and Paras before Pikachu gained the upper hand against his opponent. Finally, Gary switched to his Bulbasaur, so Red responded by sending out his Charmander.
"Charrr," Charmander growled.
"Come on, Bulbasaur," Gary ordered, "let's use Vine Whip!"
"Saur!"
Bulbasaur readied its vines and started swinging them at its opponent.
"Dodge," Red commanded, "and use Fire Fang!"
Charmander dodged a vine before it opened its mouth, its teeth setting themselves on fire. The fire lizard then charged after Bulbasaur.
"Take Down!" Gary said.
"Huh?" Red paused.
Scratching at the ground for a brief moment, Bulbasaur charged at Charmander and rammed into it. The fire lizard was sent flying before it crashed into the ground, though the grassy reptile recoiled in pain, taking a couple steps backward. Red gritted his teeth as Charmander staggered back to its feet.
"Charmander," Red called, "you ok?"
"Char!" Charmander nodded.
Likewise, Bulbasaur snapped out of its trance and narrowed its eyes at its opponent.
"Leech Seed!" Gary shouted.
"Ember!" Red instructed.
Bulbasaur prepared its back bulb with the intent to launch its seeds, but then Charmander spewed out a flurry of flames which scorched the Seed Pokémon. Once the flames dissipated seconds later, Gary stared in disbelief as Bulbasaur collapsed onto the ground.
"Well," Gary shrugged before he pointed his finger at Red, "looks like you won this round. But don't get too smug, buddy!"
Red smiled as they both withdrew their starters back into their Poké Balls. They tilted their heads to their left, only to notice the crowd was gone.
"About time!" Gary sighed, "that crowd sure was loud."
Red chuckled as he scratched his head underneath his cap.
"I didn't have any questions for that girl, anyways," Red shrugged, "wanna head over to the Pokémon Center?"
Gary nodded before he waved his hand at Leaf and Mewtwo, encouraging them to stand from their seats. Leaf withdrew her Squirtle into his Poké Ball while Pikachu climbed onto Red's shoulder. From there, the trainers and the psychic Legendary left the bookstore and started strolling down the street.
"Doesn't this Gym Leader use," Leaf stammered, "electric type Pokémon?"
Gary felt chills trickle down his spine while Red chuckled softly.
"Yeah," Red replied, "maybe we can check out Diglett's Cave tomorrow?"
Mewtwo nodded.
"I would keep away from that girl, if she doesn't keep away from the two of us, at any rate," he told Red in his telepathy, "we've encountered her before. She's…really unpleasant, is the best way I can describe her."
He couldn't help but watch the memory of how their Pokémon treated Leaf the last time they met. She huddled close to Mewtwo, allowing him to wrap his arm around her. They were just passing by the trio of rich kids when Eloise laid her eyes on Gary.
"Oh, are you wanting an autograph?" Eloise called over, "I'm afraid the meet and greet is over."
When Red, Gary, Leaf and Mewtwo paused in their tracks, the psychic Legendary glared at Eloise. The professor's grandson huffed and folded his arms.
"Nah, that's fine," Gary remarked, "we have better things to do around here."
During a moment of silence, the Kalosian beauty pageant gazed at Gary's face before her eyes widened, seeming to sparkle.
"Oh my goshies!" Eloise let out an excited squeal, "you're the grandson of the famous Professor Oak! I wanted to meet you for so long!"
Leaf flinched as Eloise's loud shrill voice pierced her eardrums like daggers, so she covered her ears with both hands. Gary chuckled nervously and placed his hand behind his head.
"Well," he stammered, "nice to meet you, miss."
Eloise took one step forward with elegant stride and placed her hand on her chest, holding her head up high.
"My name is Eloise Suzanne Flora Prudence Labelle," she greeted while giving a curtsy, "and I'm the marvelous princess of Kalosian beauty!"
Leaf grimaced softly and turned her head away, not wanting to make a glance at the girl's dazzling purple eyes. Pikachu tilted his head sideways and gave Red a confused look.
"Ehh, that's nice," Red shrugged, "but we'd better get going."
Red started strolling past Eloise, Blake and Omari with Leaf, Gary and Mewtwo following close behind. The professor's grandson only made it two steps away from the trio of rich kids when all of a sudden, Eloise reached forward and grabbed his upper arm, eliciting a startled yelp out of him.
"Hey!" Gary exclaimed, "what are you doing?!"
Eloise only responded with a smirk.
"Where do you think you're going, darling?" she cooed, "you gotta meet my daddy! He'll be so thrilled when he sees you!"
"Why would he want to meet me, anyway?" Gary demanded, "I have Gym battles to train up for!"
Eloise yanked Gary backwards, and another startled yelp caused Red, Leaf and Mewtwo to stop in their tracks. When they turned around, Pikachu narrowed his eyes at Eloise as he sparked his cheeks.
"Piiikaaa," Pikachu growled.
"Hey!" Gary snapped as he flailed his free arm, "lemme go!"
"Now, now, Gary," Eloise chided as she wagged one finger, "we can't miss the greatest cruise ever! We also gotta plan our biggest extravagant wedding day!"
Red sprinted forward in an attempt to pursue them, only for Blake and Omari to block his path.
"What do you mean wedding day?" Red objected, "you barely know him, and he has better things to do!"
Mewtwo almost hoped she would see him and back off. He turned to face Leaf instead as he started to continue to walk her away from the scene, concerned by her pain. By then, the rich kid trio and Gary were already gone.
"Should I deal with her while the rest of you move to the Center?"
Much to Mewtwo's surprise, Leaf shook her head as she stopped in her tracks.
"No," Leaf insisted, "I-I know I'm scared of her, but…I can't just let her do anything bad to my friends, not like this!"
Leaf lifted her head and stared into Mewtwo's eyes.
"We gotta save him," Leaf added, "before the ship leaves!"
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!
