I do not own Pokémon. Credit goes to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak.
Leaf, Red, Gary and Mewtwo left the museum and waited outside. The psionic feline leaned against a tree, taking deep breaths while Leaf sat next to him and comforted Bulbasaur and Cleffa in her arms.
"Are you alright?" Mewtwo asked Leaf.
Leaf nodded sheepishly.
"That was close," she sighed.
"Yeah," Gary added with a shrug, "I'm amazed they didn't notice us."
"I believe they were too focused on me," Mewtwo pointed out, lowering his head, "I apologize if I put you in a dangerous situation."
Pikachu lowered his ears at the sight of Mewtwo's shaking paws.
"Pika…"
Red walked over to Mewtwo and tilted his head slightly.
"Hey," Red reassured Mewtwo, "you have nothing to apologize for. If anything, we're lucky we were at a safe distance."
Mewtwo relaxed his shoulders.
"Thank you," he sighed, "for not being afraid of me."
It wasn't long before they heard oncoming sirens from a distance. Minutes later, Brock emerged from the museum. Mewtwo hid his paws just as the Pewter gym leader turned his gaze to the Pallet Town trainers.
"Don't worry," Brock assured the kids, "the officers will be here, soon."
Gary made a relaxed smile as he brushed a few hairs out of his eyes.
"I assume I sufficiently scared them," Mewtwo nodded.
Brock tilted his head when he focused his gaze on the hooded figure, but Mewtwo averted his gaze.
"So," Brock began to ask, pointing at Mewtwo, "do you know this guy?"
Red glanced over his shoulder before he nodded.
"Yeah," he explained, "he's just tagging along."
Mewtwo nodded silently. Brock placed a finger on his chin.
"Does he have a name?" Brock asked.
Leaf, Red and Gary stiffened before they exchanged glances. Well, the young girl didn't even bother to gaze directly into the boys' eyes. Mewtwo blinked twice.
"I do have a name," Mewtwo intoned with a huff, "Gym Leader Brock. It's Mewtwo."
Brock and the Pallet Town trainers returned their gaze to Mewtwo. Leaf's forehead sweated nervously, worried they might have much bigger targets on their backs if more people knew a powerful psionic feline was traveling alongside three young trainers from a small town. The Pewter gym leader straightened his spine and placed his hand behind his head.
"Well, I'll be heading back to the gym soon," Brock proclaimed, "in an hour, I might be able to accept at least two challengers today."
Leaf withdrew Cleffa before she stood up with Bulbasaur in her arms.
"One at a time or two trainers at the same time?" Leaf clamored, swinging one leg back and forth.
Red leaned closer to Leaf.
"I think he means one at a time," Red mumbled, "tends to be a bit unfair otherwise."
Leaf sighed as she lowered her head.
"Ok," she said.
Still, Gary grinned and waved his hand at Brock.
"Ok," Gary declared, "see you at the gym!"
Brock nodded and waved back.
"Take care, kids!"
Brock turned to leave. Leaf gave Bulbasaur a few more pats on the head while Red sent out his Charmander and Gary sent out his Squirtle.
"Welp," Gary proclaimed, "I guess we'll have to figure out which of the three of us will be challenging him first."
Gary winked at Red.
"How about we race for it?" Gary suggested.
Leaf and Red gave Gary puzzled stares.
"To the gym?" she paused.
Red placed his hand behind his head before he nodded.
"Ok then," Red remarked, "challenge accepted!"
Mewtwo watched them and blinked at Leaf.
"I assume it's alright if I keep to my own pace and meet you there, given I am not partaking in this battle challenge?"
Leaf took a moment to adjust her hat.
"I might want some more practice, anyway," Leaf shrugged, "so my Bulbasaur can be ready to take on the gym."
Red and Gary ignored Leaf and Mewtwo's conversation as they started sprinting down the street.
"Shall we both go at our own pace, then?" Mewtwo offered, "I don't mind if you wish me to accompany you to supervise practice."
"Sure!" Leaf smiled and clasped her hands together.
Leaf sauntered down the street at a casual pace with Mewtwo floating close behind. Turning at a corner and walking down a few blocks, they spotted Red and Gary hunched over at the entrance to Pewter Gym as they were in the middle of catching their breath. The professor's grandson glanced over his shoulder.
"Sorry, Leaf," Gary panted, "Red's going first."
Leaf swung one foot back and forth.
"I hope the gym has a place where my Bulbasaur can practice for my first gym battle," she replied.
Red lifted his cap for a moment and brushed some hairs from his eyes.
"Then let's go in and find out," Red suggested.
Pushing through the front doors, Leaf, Mewtwo, Red and Gary set foot into Pewter Gym. Inside, rows of bleachers sat on two sides of the gym while the large court had sand covering the surface and large rocks decorating the arena. On opposite sides of the court's length stood rectangular platforms for the trainers to stand on. Red folded his arms while Leaf examined her surroundings. On the far end of the room, Brock stood on the opposing platform. To her left, the young girl noticed a receptionist counter in the lobby.
"Hey," Leaf reminded, "isn't there something we should do first before we start taking on gym battles?"
Gary gave Leaf a confused look while Red placed a finger on his chin.
"Do we need to register so we can actually collect the badges?" Red paused, "do we even have cases for them?"
"I mean," Leaf mentioned, "we can get the cases here."
Leaf led Red and Gary over to the counter which caught the clerk's attention.
"E-Excuse me?" Leaf stammered, with a tone of attempted confidence, "do you hand out badge cases here? We're here to start our gym battle journey."
Leaf fluttered her hands while she awaited the clerk's answer.
"We do indeed, miss," the woman behind the counter nodded with a smile, "we even have a selection of colors to pick from. 50 PokéYen each. I assume you'll want to register for the League as well?"
"Yes, please!" Leaf nodded.
"Me, too!" Gary added.
"So do I," Red grinned.
The clerk reached for a drawer and pulled out a bunch of badge cases before she placed them on top of the counter. She scanned their trainer cards and added the information to the computer. Leaf picked out a green case while Gary picked up a blue case. Red took a moment to examine the remaining cases before he settled for the red one. From there, they took turns paying for their new badge cases.
"All sorted," the clerk nodded, "good luck against Brock, champs in the making."
"Thanks!" Red smiled.
Leaf, Red, Gary and Mewtwo made their way to the large stadium. The young girl led the psionic feline and the professor's grandson up the bleachers while the boy in the cap stepped onto the stadium's terrain. Mewtwo sat next to Leaf and peered over the banister.
"So is collecting the badges a tradition for trainers?" he asked, "I hadn't had a chance to ask."
Leaf gripped the hem of her skirt.
"Gym challenges here are an essential part of the Pokémon League," Leaf explained, "for most of the world, that is."
"In every region," Gary continued, holding up an index finger, "there are eight gyms scattered about. When you get all the badges from each gym, you head off to a destination where the region's Pokémon League is held. You challenge the Elite Four, and if you're lucky, you get the chance to take on the Champion."
Mewtwo blinked twice as he processed the information.
"I see," he commented, "is there one champion per region, or an overall worldwide champion?"
"Each region has its own champion," Gary answered.
Leaf watched as Brock sent out a Geodude while Red sent out his Bellsprout. Mewtwo noticed as a referee stood from the bleachers and stood before the railing.
"The battle between the Gym Leader of Pewter City, Brock," the referee announced, "and Red from Pallet Town will begin shortly! Both sides may use only two Pokémon, but only the challenger is allowed to use substitutions."
Leaf brought out Bulbasaur and allowed her to sit on her lap.
"Ok, Bulbasaur," Leaf said, "let's see how a gym battle plays out."
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur nodded.
Red extended his arm forward.
"Bellsprout," Red commanded, "use Vine Whip!"
"Defense Curl!" Brock countered.
Geodude wrapped its arms around itself. Leaf, Gary and Mewtwo watched as Bellsprout swung his vines at the rocky Pokémon, even if the blows simply chipped away tiny specks of rock. Leaf didn't pay attention to any of Red and Brock's commands as she focused on the Pokémon in the arena. Geodude uncurled its arms and tackled into Bellsprout. The walking pitcher plant countered with another Vine Whip. Wrapping the sentient rock with his vine, Bellsprout slammed it into a makeshift stalagmite, knocking it down for the count.
"Geodude is unable to battle," the referee declared, "Bellsprout wins the battle!"
Brock sighed before he withdrew his fainted Geodude and sent out his Onix.
"Bellsprout," Red called, "are you still good to go?"
"Bellsprout!" Bellsprout flapped his leaves.
As Bellsprout shifted back into his battle stance, Gary waved his hand at Leaf.
"If you want," Gary suggested, "there's a practice arena in a side door of the lobby."
Leaf's eyes lit up as she fluttered her hand.
"For real?" she blurted.
Mewtwo made a brief glance at her.
"I'm intrigued to see your style of battling," Mewtwo told her, "but I don't wish to put pressure on anyone. I'm already seeing differences between you three at your novice levels and those I've battled, and I'm seeing the appeal as an outsider now."
Leaf nodded as she rose from her seat with Bulbasaur in her arms, prompting Mewtwo to do the same.
"In case Red finishes his battle," she advised Gary, "tell him where I went, ok?"
Gary gave her a thumbs up, eyes still fixated on the battle below. Mewtwo and Leaf left the main stadium while Onix tried restraining Bellsprout with Wrap. When they stepped out into the lobby, they turned their gaze to locate a side door to their right. The young girl and the cloaked psionic feline pushed through the door leading to a smaller arena where a few trainers could be seen supervising their Pokémon practicing their moves. A thick glass window allowed the trainers inside to catch the view of the larger arena and a sliding door adjacent to the window.
"I wonder if these are all Gym Leaders in training," Mewtwo observed, "or if they're simply preparing to face the leader."
"Your guess is as good as mine," Leaf shrugged.
Leaf approached a camper trainer, which caught his attention.
"Afternoon, ma'am," he greeted with a wave of his hand, "my name's Liam. Can I help you with anything?"
Leaf paused for a moment as she set Bulbasaur onto the floor and fluttered her hands.
"I was hoping my Bulbasaur would get some practice so she can be ready for her first gym battle," Leaf explained.
Liam tilted his head.
"Don't you have a second Pokémon as backup?" he mentioned.
Leaf sweated nervously while she placed her hand behind her head.
"I can't send out my Pidgey for obvious reasons," Leaf blurted.
Leaf paused for a moment as her hand went to Cleffa's Poké Ball. Dread seeped into her veins as a reminder rang off in her head that Cleffa has never been in a single Pokémon battle before. How would a baby fairy Pokémon stand a chance against a Pokémon as large as Onix? Would Cleffa have moves that might weaken Brock's Pokémon a little bit? The young girl sent out Cleffa without hesitation, who waddled up to Bulbasaur.
"Cleffa?"
Bulbasaur returned her gaze.
"Bulba."
Leaf nervously adjusted her hat.
"I-I guess I made up my mind after all!" she chirped.
"Interesting choice," Liam commented, "do they know Magical Leaf? That'll help a lot."
Liam made a quick show of looking to the main arena doors.
"But don't tell Brock I suggested it," he whispered.
Mewtwo tilted his head at the playful behavior, wondering if the little one would need any reassurance from him too.
"O-Ok," Leaf nodded sheepishly, "I won't."
Cleffa tilted sideways.
"Cleffa?"
Liam sent out a Geodude.
"Geo!" Geodude flexed its arms.
Mewtwo hovered away from the field as Liam focused his eyes on the baby fairy.
"Little buddy's never been in a battle," Liam said, "ever seen a battle, Cleffa?"
Cleffa paused for a moment before she shook her head.
"So, basically, you're trying to avoid getting hit or knocked out by all attacks, and trying to knock out the opposing Pokémon," Liam continued, "however, and I know it'll hurt and I apologize in advance, I'm gonna have you take a few basic tackles to see if that sparks up any of your instinctive attacks back, so you get a feel for them, ok? If you find you don't wanna battle, you're welcome to run back to your trainer. But we will be as gentle as possible just to teach you."
Liam glanced at Leaf for approval while Mewtwo crossed his legs to watch.
"It's ok, Cleffa," Leaf cooed, fluttering her hands, "it'll take a bit to get used to."
Cleffa relaxed her arms in relief before she nodded, turning to face Geodude.
"Cleffa!"
"Just throw back anything you feel spark up," Liam advised, "ok, Geodude, Tackle."
Cleffa squeaked as Geodude charged after her. The baby fairy jumped to the side before the sentient boulder could collide with her. She turned around and slammed her arm into Geodude's arm.
"Good dodge, good Pound," Liam complimented, "go again, Geodude."
Geodude rammed into Cleffa, eliciting a pained cry out of her. She crashed into the ground, but she slowly got back to her feet. Rising to the tip of her toes and raising her arms, Cleffa gave Geodude a charming wink.
"Cleffa?"
Geodude tilted his body, clearly pleasantly taken aback.
"Huh, Charm, cute."
Bulbasaur nodded at Cleffa in approval.
"Saur, Bulba!"
Cleffa turned and waved back. Bulbasaur focused her gaze on her trainer.
"Bulba."
Leaf blinked twice.
"You…wanna practice, too?" Leaf blurted.
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur nodded.
Liam took the hint and sent out his Sandshrew while Geodude grabbed a nearby boulder before placing it in front of Cleffa. Mewtwo heard the door open all of a sudden and spotted Red and Gary setting foot into the room. The psionic feline stood up and floated over to the boys, eliciting a startled yelp out of the professor's grandson.
"Geez, big guy," Gary exclaimed, "you startled the crap out of me!"
Mewtwo huffed, seemingly amused at the blast of fear.
"Apologies. Who won?"
Red slumped his shoulders while his Pikachu drooped his ears.
"Pika," Pikachu sighed.
"I lost," Red admitted, "we're just checking out this place before we have to head to the Center."
All the while, Cleffa watched Bulbasaur as she swatted the boulder with her vines.
"It'll still be here when you get back," Mewtwo remarked.
Gary made his way towards a nearby bench while Red stepped back through the door. Cleffa returned her focus to Geodude while Leaf observed Liam fiddling with another Poké Ball at his belt.
"So," Liam asked Bulbasaur, "do you wanna spar freely with Sandshrew?"
"Saur!" Bulbasaur nodded eagerly.
Upon cue, Liam sent out a Sandshrew.
"Ok, Bulbasaur," Liam beckoned, "let's see what you got."
As the sparring session went on, Leaf fidgeted in anticipation while Bulbasaur and Cleffa got the hang of the moves they currently had, hoping they would soon be strong enough to learn new ones.
She wanted to whisper a prayer to Arceus that her practice would pay off tomorrow.
Feel free to drop a review, because Leaf and Mewtwo could use them to offer each other emotional support!