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.

Worried of what might become of Gary, Mewtwo led Red and Leaf as they rushed to the docks at the coast of Vermilion City. As they gazed at the S.S. Anne floating next to one port, the brunette held onto the tickets in her hands. Pikachu sniffed the ocean scent carried by the breeze while his trainer shifted his gaze towards the display on the side, which labeled each current vessel and its matching departure and arrival time.

"Hey, Red?" Leaf stammered, "I got these tickets to get aboard the ship."

Red placed his hand behind his head.

"Thanks," Red replied, "but I'm not sure how we can get Helios aboard the ship."

Red tilted his head towards Mewtwo.

"Any ideas?" he asked.

Mewtwo thought over the question in a moment of silence as he examined the cruise ship in all its glory. He made a brief glance at the brunette and smiled softly.

"I can find another way onto the ship on my own," he reassured her, "I'm used to hiding. You two be casual and I'll let you know where I am. I'm ready when you are."

Mewtwo already started to search for people around them, ready to take flight. Pikachu grinned and gave Mewtwo a salute.

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu chirped.

Red nodded at Mewtwo.

"Ok, good luck," he said.

Leaf and Red watched as Mewtwo lifted off into the air. After a moment of silence, the two trainers continued their stroll down the dock. Leaf flapped her hands nervously as she followed Red close behind. They stopped just in front of a sailor who stood near the pillars on both sides of the dock.

"Welcome to the S.S. Anne," he greeted, "do you young fellows have tickets?"

Red and Leaf didn't say anything as they flashed their tickets to the sailor. The sailor examined them in a moment of silence before he placed his hands on his hips and let out a humble guffaw.

"Yup," he said, "that'll do, welcome aboard."

The sailor gestured to the boardwalk leading to the ship.

"Thank you, sir," Red gave the sailor a deep respectful bow.

After Leaf imitated Red's gesture, they both made their way to the edge of the dock. The girl shook nervously as they started crossing the boardwalk, so the boy resorted to holding onto her hand in an attempt to ease her anxiety. By the time they hopped onto the ship and pushed through the door, they started meandering down the hallway, stopping in the middle of an intersection where the hall split into two opposing directions.

"Pikachu," Red asked, "you think you can sniff him out?"

"Pika!"

Pikachu hopped off of Red's shoulder and started sniffing at the floor. The electric mouse tilted his head to the right and pointed his paw in that direction. Upon cue, Red and Leaf followed him after turning at a corner. Leaf paused in her tracks when a nearby door opened up and a beauty trainer emerged from the room to her right. The autistic trainer noticed a Yamper following her close behind. The electric puppy let out an excited bark before it rushed towards Leaf and stood on its hind legs, perching its paws on her legs which elicited a startled yelp out of her. Red and Pikachu paused in their tracks and glanced behind them while the beauty trainer chuckled.

"Sorry about that, dear," she said, "my Yamper loves saying hello to people."

The beauty trainer extended her arm and made kissing sounds.

"Yamper!" she called over, "here, girl!"

Yamper perked its ears before swiveling its head towards its trainer. It immediately scampered over to her while panting and wagging its lightning bolt tail. The beauty trainer smiled and stroked her Yamper's head before she shifted her gaze towards Red and Leaf.

"Are you two trainers?" she asked them.

Leaf didn't say anything as she waddled over to Red.

"Yeah," he nodded, "wanna battle us?"

The beauty trainer chuckled as she shook her head.

"Oh, no thank you," she politely declined, pointing her finger at a staircase, "if you're here for the exclusive trainer party, it's hosted on the deck. Just take the stairs over there and make your way to the third floor hallway. It's easy to find, right?"

Leaf nodded sheepishly.

"Uhh, thanks," Leaf stammered as she fluttered her hands, "ma'am."

"Anytime," the beauty trainer smiled, "now if you'll excuse me, my Yamper and I'll be taking a walk."

The beauty trainer strolled down the hallway, leaving Red to make a brief glance at Leaf and shrug. He led her and Pikachu towards the stairs leading to the second floor. Once they ascended the stairs, they turned to their left, noticing another staircase at a corner. When they started strolling down the hallway, they passed by a sailor with a Wingull perched on his shoulder. Pikachu perked up his ears and swiveled his head towards the sea bird.

"Pika?" Pikachu called out, "Pikachu?"

"Gull!" Wingull stretched out its wings.

Red paused in his tracks the instant he noticed his Pikachu starting a small conversation with the Wingull. The sailor glanced down at the Pikachu, not bothering to say anything.

"Uh, Pikachu?" Red paused.

Pikachu waved his paw before he skittered back to his trainer. He led Red and Leaf as they made their way up the stairs. They sprinted down the hallway before they stopped at the door. From the other side of the door, they heard laughter and mundane conversations from outside. Fluttering her hands, Leaf examined the sign posted on the door.

"Oh," Leaf muttered, "she…sure was right about that party…"

"You think?" Red gave Leaf a confused stare.

Leaf nodded nervously before she pushed the door open. The instant they stepped out onto the deck, Red stared in disbelief as Gary stood next to Eloise, who clutched onto his wrist in her vice-like grip. The professor's grandson blushed in sheer embarrassment as he stood in a pair of black slacks, a white dress shirt, a green necktie, a tan waistcoat and a black blazer. His hair had been combed sideways and Pikachu swore he could smell some strange flowery cologne from a distance.

Leaf wasn't surprised to see Eloise bearing her pearly white teeth with her smile. It didn't even surprise the brunette to see the young pageant carrying her shiny Eevee in her left arm while she flaunted her frilly white party dress with pride. The music blaring from the speakers was enough for Leaf to shudder in discomfort. She now found herself wanting to know if Eloise had any other Pokémon so she could challenge her without Blake or Omari interfering. Mewtwo managed to hide behind a corner at the deck, somehow unnoticed but having laid his eyes on the couple, and Leaf and Red beyond them.

"I see you, Leaf," Mewtwo spoke into her head, "I know you're uncomfortable. Look to your left, beyond everyone else."

Pikachu crinkled and wiped his nose as he watched Gary before looking up at Red. Leaf tilted her head to her left while Red examined the middle-aged man in an expensive formal suit standing next to the pageant and the professor's grandson. He gave a pleasant smile as he offered his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Gary Oak," he greeted, "my name is Mr. Bartholomew Labelle, founder of Labelle Enterprises."

Gary reluctantly shook Bartholomew's hand.

"Uh," Gary stammered, "n-nice to meet you, sir."

Mewtwo briefly flashed his purple eyes in the shadow of the hood, making sure no one else saw it. Pikachu looked over to the flash and tugged on Red's pants leg.

"Pikapi," Pikachu chirped, "Pika Pika!"

"Oh?" Red blurted.

Red took a moment to glance to his left before he focused his eyes on Leaf.

"Leaf," Red asked, "you have any ideas?"

Leaf rocked from side to side as she thought of the question. In the meantime, Gary removed his hand and locked eyes onto Red and Leaf.

"When's this party going to be over?" Gary asked, "I have a journey to continue, you know."

"Oh, come now, Gary," Bartholomew guffawed, "I just met you. We have yet to discuss all the workings of my company. Surely, you'd be so eager to inherit it once I retire, right?"

Gary grumbled as he tilted his head sideways, not bothering to look at Eloise's face.

"Besides," he added, "you don't want to make my treasured daughter cry, do you?"

"No offense, but you can't just expect me to fall in love with her within minutes, let alone weeks," Gary objected, "that's not how romance works!"

Eloise giggled with a smirk.

"Yes, it does," Eloise sang.

Leaf groaned softly and clenched her fists. She tilted her head to her left and started coming up with a plan in her head. She hoped Mewtwo would read her mind long enough to help her put it into action. Soon enough, she heard rustling as the hooded figure emerged from hiding, so she took the hint and trudged forward.

"Ellie!" Leaf called out.

Eloise paused in her tracks and glared at Leaf.

"You're not supposed to be here, Leaftard!" Eloise snapped, "you're not invited!"

Leaf thought fast and pulled out her ticket, flashing it before the pageant.

"Let go of Gary this instant!" Leaf demanded.

Eloise shook her head.

"Never," Eloise stuck her tongue out at Leaf, "he's mine."

"You either let him go," Leaf insisted, stashing her ticket into her bag, "or you battle with me! And…don't you dare ask Blake or Omari to do it for you!"

Eloise shifted her gaze towards Mewtwo as he stood next to Leaf, still concealed in his cloak with his hood covering his head. Not surprisingly, Bartholomew shifted his attention towards the brunette and glared at her.

"So you're the girl who bullied my daughter?" Bartholomew huffed.

"No, I didn't…" Leaf objected.

"You're a pathetic liar," Bartholomew interrupted, "my precious angel told me about the day you attacked her at Route Three!"

Mewtwo narrowed his eyes at the middle-aged CEO and clenched his fists.

"You…lie," Mewtwo growled.

Eloise abrasively snapped her fingers.

"DJ," Eloise commanded, "play my favorite song for me!"

The DJ made an expression of slight discomfort, yet he tapped on a few buttons and started playing a song which started echoing from the speakers. All of a sudden, Leaf recognized the lyrics of the song. She remembered Eloise would play that song which was so cheesy and awful it tortured her eardrums. Of course, that song came from a movie the young pageant praised as the greatest love story of all time. She let out a pained growl as she covered her ears, wishing she'd rather die than have the song get stuck in her head. Mewtwo thought fast and enveloped himself and Leaf in a soundproof veil, blocking out the onslaught of uncomfortable noises. Without warning, Blake sent out his Cacturne and narrowed his eyes at the psychic Legendary.

"Cacturne," Blake ordered, "Dark Pulse!"

Cacturne took a battle stance and released waves of dark energy which spread out until it collided with Mewtwo, knocking him off his senses as he collapsed onto his knees. Mewtwo stared in disbelief as Blake smirked at him. He cursed internally the instant he recalled when that Cacturne resisted his Psychic and didn't suffer as much damage from his Shadow Ball back at Route Three. If only he prepared for countering against Dark type Pokémon earlier…

To add insult to injury, the uncomfortable noises returned now that his sound barrier was gone. To make matters worse, Eloise, Blake and Omari started singing along.

"S-Stop it," Leaf pleaded, "make it stop!"

Without warning, no words could escape her mouth. Tears streaming down her cheeks and her chest tightening, it felt like her ability to speak was ripped out of her throat. She tried to open her mouth but instead of words, a shrill anguished scream escaped her. As she struggled to retain coherent thought, she scurried for the door, her hands fumbling in search of the doorknob. Her strength seemed to dwindle as she then collapsed onto her knees, lowered her head and grip her hair tightly in her hands.

While Red stared in disbelief and Gary's eyes widened in horror, almost all of the guests aboard the deck laughed at Leaf as she continued to cry in anguish. Pikachu couldn't help but feel sorry for Leaf. Sure, he may have beaten her Pokémon back in Viridian Forest, but she didn't deserve…this. The electric mouse scanned his surroundings before he locked eyes onto the DJ and the speakers. Pikachu rubbed his cheeks and sparks started building up.

"Piiikaaaa…"

Red rushed after Leaf and covered her ears while Mewtwo staggered back to his feet.

"Helios!" Red called, "get the door!"

Mewtwo's eyes glowed as he shoved the doors open and glared at the DJ before looking to the Pikachu. Red flinched when the door opened, yet he helped Leaf to her feet and they made their way inside. Gary thought fast and wrestled himself free from Eloise's grip before he bolted for the door.

"Darling, wait!" Eloise cried, "get back here!"

"Chuuuu!"

Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt which struck all the speakers, short-circuiting them before they shut off. When the music came to an abrupt silence, Eloise, Blake and Omari gaped at the electric mouse while the pageant's rich father clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes at him.

"You pesky rotten rodent!" Bartholomew roared.

Bartholomew stomped towards Pikachu and grabbed him by the tail, yanking him off the ground and dangling him midair which elicited a pained cry from the electric mouse while he flailed his limbs helplessly.

"Pikachu!" Red panicked.

Mewtwo quickly sped over to where Bartholomew stood, physically lifting up the man which startled him even when he kept his hand concealed beneath his cloak.

"Drop the Pikachu or I'll throw you off this ship," Mewtwo threatened, "you're not to handle another trainer's Pokémon like that!"

"Daddy! No!" Eloise screamed with tears welling in her eyes.

Mewtwo wanted to use telekinesis, but there were just way too many witnesses.

Without warning, the door flew open and the captain stormed out onto the deck, trudging towards the middle-aged CEO while glaring at him.

"Bartholomew Labelle," the captain demanded, "what's the meaning of this?!"

Bartholomew froze in his tracks before he reluctantly released his grip on Pikachu, allowing the electric mouse to skitter back to Red. Mewtwo released his grip on Bartholomew and rushed back over to the three young trainers.

"That little brat started the fight on purpose!" Bartholomew pointed at Leaf.

The captain folded his arms.

"I don't care who started this ruckus," the captain thundered, "I'm finishing it right here!"

And with that, Bartholomew clamped his mouth shut. While the captain turned on his feet and strolled over to Red, Gary, Leaf and Mewtwo huddling in the hallway, Eloise huffed before she examined a video she recorded in her Pokégear. A dark-skinned trainer, having noticed a screenshot out of the corner of her eye, trudged over to the pageant.

"What is it?!" Eloise snapped.

"Girl," the dark-skinned trainer demanded, "did you record her meltdown just now?!"

"It's not a meltdown, Lavender Frazier," Eloise dismissed, "it's a tantrum! You can see Leaftard is so spoiled and whiny because she thinks the world revolves around her. This right here will teach her to stop being such a brat."

Lavender narrowed her eyes and folded her arms.

"My dad's a lawyer," she warned, "so you better not post that vid if you don't wanna face him in court!"

Eloise's face turned red as she glared at Lavender.

"I can do whatever I want!" Eloise whined, stamping her foot, "you have a retarded brother, don't you? Doesn't he annoy you?"

"Nah," Lavender shook her head, "if I made a vid of my brother like that, my mom and dad woulda roasted my ass for it. Now you better delete that vid."

Eloise opened her mouth to protest, but noticed the captain locking eyes onto her and glaring at her while he knelt down next to Leaf and Mewtwo. Sweat beads formed at her forehead as pressure weighed down on her. This was so unfair! How could the captain of a famous cruise ship side with Leaf instead of the famous pageant of the Kalos region? After a moment of silence, Eloise reluctantly tapped the trash icon in her Pokégear, instantly deleting the video.

"Hmph!" Eloise pouted, "you win this round, slut!"

Lavender maintained her stoic expression, even as Eloise shoved her aside and stomped to the door, pushing her way inside. Once the door slammed shut and the pageant stomped down the stairs, the captain composed himself and stood to his full height.

"All right," the captain sighed, "let's go somewhere quiet."

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!