I do not own Pokémon. Credit goes to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak.
Leaf, Red and Gary began venturing through Viridian Forest as Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pidgey kept a vigilant eye on the wild Pokémon waiting to jump them. Pidgey would use Gust to scare away a horde of Weedles while Bulbasaur whacked at an angry Caterpie with Vine Whip.
"Do you think they're agitated because of whatever landed here?" Red pondered.
Gary shrugged while Charmander shot an Ember at a Beedrill charging at Leaf. Once the aggressive bee Pokémon retreated, Leaf adjusted her hat and sighed in relief.
"That was close," she whispered.
Pidgey shooed away a swarm of Caterpie with another Gust before perching on Leaf's head. Red paused for a moment and turned to face Leaf and Gary.
"Is everybody ok?" he called over.
Red took a moment to analyze the conditions of their Pokémon.
"Char!" Charmander gave a salute.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle gave a thumbs up.
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur nodded while flexing her vines.
Pidgey spread out her wings.
"Pijoo!"
"Ok," Red nodded, "let's carry on, then."
As Leaf, Red and Gary continued to meander through the forest maze, Bulbasaur turned her head to her left and narrowed her eyes, almost as if she sensed something.
"Saur," Bulbasaur muttered.
Leaf paused for a moment and blinked twice.
"What is it?" she asked.
Bulbasaur carefully moved towards a bush. There was a rustling over the boys' head and a blur of yellow fell from a branch with a screech, followed by Beedrills. A few of the large, aggressive bees flew too close to Leaf to the point she screamed and scrambled backwards, eyes widened with terror. Bulbasaur attempted to Vine Whip the Beedrills away, calling for the Pidgey to help. The tiny bird jumped off the girl's hat and launched a Gust at the incoming Beedrills.
Red glanced towards Leaf's scream, looking for her as he walked towards where the yellow blur had been seen.
"Leaf?" Red called.
Gary paused for a moment as he surveyed their surroundings.
"Yeah," Gary muttered, "the sooner we deal with what the Beedrills are doing, the sooner we can start finding her."
Red nodded as he and his rival tailed the Beedrills. A Pikachu could be seen trying to dart away from the flock. Red gritted his teeth before he nodded at Charmander.
"Ok, Charmander," Red instructed, "get 'em with an Ember!"
"Char!"
Charmander launched an Ember at one of the Beedrills, scaring it off and catching the attention of the other Beedrills.
All the while, Pidgey managed to scare off the few Beedrills save for one, which landed a Poison Sting on the tiny bird, much to Leaf's horror. She withdrew the tiny bird to her Poké Ball and turned her gaze to her Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur," Leaf pleaded, "lead the way! Hurry!"
"Bulba!"
Bulbasaur and Leaf began sprinting through the forest, the young girl following her starter Pokémon as they attempted to outrun the Beedrill chasing them. Bulbasaur kept glancing back to both check on her trainer and where the Beedrill was. Running past patches of tall grass and trees, they took notice of a piece of what appeared to be armor on the ground. Bulbasaur dodged around them, clearly confused but still in a half panicked state.
Soon enough, Leaf and Bulbasaur set foot into the forest clearing and stopped to catch their breath. The young girl collapsed to her knees and lowered her head, her heart still pounding rapidly.
"Is it gone?" Leaf stammered, "did we lose it?"
Bulbasaur took a moment to survey their surroundings before trodding towards her trainer.
"Bulba-Bul."
Leaf fixated her eyes on Bulbasaur and sighed, gently running her hand along the grass amphibian's head. After a moment of silence, the young girl brought out her Pidgey and rummaged through her messenger bag until she pulled out an Antidote.
"Are you ok, Pidgey?" Leaf whispered.
The Pidgey was puffed up, breathing fast and looking around in a panicked manner, staring at the Antidote warily. Leaf gently nudged the tiny bird to open up her beak before she sprayed the Antidote into her a few times. She shook her head in disgust but the fluff soon calmed, allowing her to preen. The young girl waited nervously as she gently ran her hand along Pidgey's head. She gently pecked at her hand reassuringly.
"Prr-prrj."
Leaf couldn't help but smile.
"What a relief," she cooed.
Bulbasaur scanned their surroundings once again and tensed the instant she heard strange noises from a distance.
"Bulba!"
Pidgey perked up and darted to a nearby tree, peering through the foliage. Leaf snapped out of her thoughts and turned her gaze in both directions.
"W-What is it?" Leaf blurted.
Her eyes widened when she spotted a strange figure emerging from the shadows and floating down onto the forest floor. The instant the strange creature landed mere inches in front of her, Leaf kept her eyes locked onto it.
The creature's head was almost feline in shape but rather alien. His deep violet eyes gave both Leaf and her Bulbasaur an intense gaze. His smooth light-grey skin didn't have fur, which made it easier for the novice trainer to examine his musculature. She noticed a tube extending from the back of his skull and attaching to the top of his back. Her eyes wandered to his defined chest and shoulders which took the form of a protective breastplate. She briefly examined his thick thighs when she noticed his thick purple tail swaying side to side, extending from its matching belly. Apart from his sleek yet muscular arms, she noted his feet had two toes in spherical tips and his hands each had three fingers, which also ended in spherical tips.
Bulbasaur backed up and stood in front of her trainer again, vines raising to an attack position. Pidgey fluffed up again and flew back to Leaf, ready to defend them. The creature narrowed its eyes at her as she hugged her arms to her chest.
"W-What do you want?" Leaf stuttered.
"I could ask the same of you," a deep voice spoke into her head.
Leaf's face reddened as the creature studied her. She took a moment to readjust her hat and brush a few hairs out of her eyes, trying to resist the urge to gaze into its eyes.
"I-I don't wanna fight you," she whimpered.
Anxiety flooding her mind, Leaf fluttered her hands. The strange creature raised its brow as her habit piqued its curiosity.
"Your Pokémon are underpowered," the deep voice boomed, "so it would be a waste of energy on all parties' counts."
Bulbasaur and Pidgey could tell fury was coursing through the creature, but was attempting to use this time to calm down. It glanced at the helmet and batted it away with its tail as though it disgusted it. Leaf tilted her head up until her eyes met the creature's, figuring out it didn't move its mouth when she heard its voice. There could only be one possible explanation.
"Telepathy?" Leaf whispered to herself.
The creature nodded slowly.
"Correct."
Leaf gripped the hem of her skirt.
"I-I became a trainer today," Leaf tried to explain, "I'm still getting used to it. Are you…some kind of Pokémon?"
The creature drew its tail to its back again.
"The most powerful," the creature nodded, "you have a long way to go before we can have anything of a reasonable battle, if you were so tempted. Perhaps I should leave you to your training until then."
Even Bulbasaur seemed confused and lowered her vines, sensing the lack of anger and willingness to battle from the being. Perhaps it just wanted to be left alone. She started to look around for berries, figuring she might as well offer a peace treaty. Leaf noticed what her grass starter was doing and rummaged through her messenger bag for her Berry Pouch, pulling out a Pecha berry.
"Well," Leaf asked nervously, "are you hungry?"
The strange Pokémon gave Leaf a confused look as she held up the Pecha berry.
"Hungry?" he paused, glancing between the two.
"I-I mean," Leaf fluttered her free hand with a nervous chuckle, "no one can fight on an empty stomach, right?"
He blinked, flinching when the Pidgey went to land on the berry and take a couple of pecks out of it, chirping.
"Oh, to eat. I see. I suppose not? Does eating indicate I wish to battle…?"
Leaf shook her head nervously, reaching her hand for another Pecha berry since her Pidgey took the current one out of her hand.
"I guess everyone needs food for energy," Leaf shrugged, "I'm not sure if it has anything to do with battling."
The strange Pokémon exhaled softly before plucking the berry out of Leaf's hand. The Pidgey chirped and continued to demonstrate eating. The Pokemon hesitantly nibbled the Pecha berry, perking up in surprise. Bulbasaur nodded encouragingly at it.
"Bulba?"
Leaf shifted her sitting position to the point she crossed her legs, having calmed herself a little.
"So," Leaf asked, "what do you call yourself?"
The strange Pokémon blinked twice.
"Mewtwo. I understand humans have individual names despite all being the same species. Correct?"
Bulbasaur loafed beside her as she perched her hands on her lap.
"I'm Leaf Aoyama," the young girl told him, "I'll be turning 12 on June 11th."
Mewtwo leaned his head a little closer to the young girl.
"So," Mewtwo clarified, "you're a…what is a young human called? A cub?"
"A child," Leaf corrected, "though technically, I'm actually a preteen."
"Thank you," Mewtwo closed his eyes briefly, "I'll try to keep that in mind."
Mewtwo slowly sat down as he nibbled the berry. Leaf pulled out her Pokédex and flipped it open before she held it before the catlike being.
{Pokémon unknown. No available data.}
Sighing, Leaf stashed her Pokédex back into her bag.
"What was that?" Mewtwo raised his brow.
Bulbasaur stared into Mewtwo's eyes.
"Bul-Bulbasaur."
"A Pokédex? I see."
Leaf huddled her arms to her chest.
"Professor Oak invented it," Leaf explained, "and he studies Pokémon. He's pretty nice, though."
"Interesting," Mewtwo commented, "I can't say I'd trust him to study me, however."
Leaf blinked twice in confusion.
"W-Why not?"
Mewtwo lowered his head.
"So far, my experience with grown humans has been…unkind."
Bulbasaur and Pidgey exchanged confused looks as Leaf's expression softened in her eyes.
"How bad?" Leaf clamored.
Leaf noticed as Mewtwo shuddered, his tail swaying behind him quickly.
"I-It's ok," Leaf stammered, fluttering her hands, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Mewtwo stared into Leaf's eyes for a moment before he sighed.
"Only two groups of humans," he admitted, "the group on the island and Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket. Giovanni seems to have done more damage as I was under his enslavement until today. I'm not sure how long I was in that position, but I won't allow it to happen again. The first group disregarded me as a living being and simply wanted to keep me as a specimen in the laboratory they created me in."
Mewtwo noticed he was clenching the Pecha berry and tried to relax his hand.
"I-I see," Leaf muttered.
Leaf nodded before she lowered her head. She recalled the warning Professor Oak gave her about Team Rocket being at large this morning. She remembered seeing news headlines on TV of incidents of Team Rocket grunts assaulting unsuspecting trainers to steal their Pokémon.
Without warning, a painful memory resurfaced in her mind and she didn't expect it. Leaf squeezed her eyes shut as tears welled at the corner of her eyes.
I have had it, Leaf! I told you multiple times that you need to be on your best behavior!
She felt her chest tighten as she recalled the throbbing pain in her wrists and ankles from the zip-ties restraining her to a chair. The image of her old teacher appeared in her mind, though his face was blurred save for the frigid blue eyes that glared at her.
All this time, you've been getting your way and disrupting the class constantly. Do you want me to call Team Rocket to take you away?!
Leaf clasped her hands over her ears and let out a weak sob. Mewtwo stiffened as he kept his eye on the girl.
"Leaf?" he paused, "are you…alright?"
Bulbasaur stood up and perched her front feet on her trainer's leg, nuzzling her elbow.
"Saur?"
Leaf snapped out of her thoughts and opened her eyes. She glanced back at Mewtwo, tears still trickling down her cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry," Leaf bleated, "I didn't mean to make you…uncomfortable."
Leaf could feel a nagging question linger in her head. If Mewtwo was supposed to have trust issues, then why would he admit them to her when she hasn't told much detail about her time at the school in Viridian City to Red and Gary herself?
"You didn't. You've concerned me however," Mewtwo told her, "should I see you to the town? Or did I trigger that discomfort in you?"
The Bulbasaur carefully wiped her tears with the vine tips.
"Saur?"
"Not really," Leaf assured Mewtwo, "I just feel bad for you."
Leaf stood to her full height, so Mewtwo followed suit. That was when a small reminder popped into her head.
"I still have to get back to my friends," Leaf mentioned, "I got separated from them by angry Beedrills."
He blinked and turned his head towards Red and Gary's location.
"I believe I heard them over in that direction," he answered her, "shall I assist your reunion?"
Leaf wiped the remainder of her tears from her face before she nodded.
"That would be great," she answered, "I would have to introduce you to them, though."
"If you don't believe they'll attempt to capture me, I'll put my trust in you."
Leaf took a moment to withdraw her Bulbasaur and Pidgey and stash the Poké Balls into her bag. She returned her gaze to Mewtwo as he scooped her into his arms. Holding onto her hat with one hand, she hung her other arm over his shoulder. He lifted off and carefully maneuvered through the trees towards the boys, where Red was tending to the injured Pikachu. Gary tilted his head up and his eyes widened in shock.
"Red!" Gary shouted, "incoming!"
Red looked around and Mewtwo landed near them, setting Leaf down as he studied them. Charmander and Squirtle perked up and jumped in front of the boys, staring at the psionic cat intently. Leaf pulled up her socks and adjusted her hat before turning to Red and Gary.
"Leaf, where have you been?" Red asked her, pointing at Mewtwo, "and…what is that thing?"
Mewtwo blinked patiently, making a brief glance at the Pikachu.
"Is he alright?"
Gary scratched his head while Leaf clasped her hands in front of her.
"This is Mewtwo," Leaf gestured to the psionic cat, "I stumbled upon him when I was outrunning the Beedrill."
"Mewtwo?" Gary paused.
Leaf blinked twice when Red took a moment to check Pikachu's pulse.
"I think this Pikachu got hurt really bad," Red sighed, "I have no idea why the Beedrills would even go after him."
Leaf slowly approached Red and examined the fainted Pikachu carefully.
"Perhaps it was a territorial reaction," Mewtwo spoke into Leaf's mind, rubbing his lower jaw.
"Should we take it to the Center?" Red continued.
Leaf nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah, better safe than sorry!"
Leaf returned her gaze to Mewtwo.
"But then," Leaf mentioned, "I'm worried about. If he comes with us to Viridian City, other people will stare at us."
Gary placed his hand behind his head.
"Any chance he can shapeshift or use a disguise?" Gary suggested, "7 foot Pokémon's hard to hide…unless he wants to go in a Poké Ball."
He tensed when Mewtwo glared at him.
"Ok, ok, no Poké Ball," he groaned, "you're one of those. Got it."
Feel free to drop a review, because Leaf and Mewtwo could use them to offer each other emotional support!