Lost. Alone. Rejected.
It made up Meowth's world now. He had done everything he could to win over the beautiful meowth he'd fallen for, only to be called a circus freak and firmly rejected. He couldn't change back to what he'd once been either. Telepathy was not an ability meowths were meant to unlock. Doing so left him broadcasting when he spoke, making him understandable to humans, but unable to turn it off. Not knowing what to do, his former life shattered in his attempts to win love, Meowth had run. Perhaps it was for the best the flock of spearows had tried to kill him.
Except he wasn't dead. Why was that? Opening his eyes he looked around.
/Where am I?/
"You're at Professor Oak's." Meowth blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected an answer. He looked up to find a young boy looking at him eagerly with sharp crimson eyes. Meowth arched his back, preparing to defend himself, only to be struck by a sharp pain running through his body. Gasping he collapsed. The boy leaned over him frowning.
"Careful! The spearows did a real number on you."
/I know./ Shaking slightly from the effort of fighting the pain Meowth looked to the human.
/What happened?/
"Professor Oak found you washed up on the bank and took you back to patch you up. He said it'll take a couple weeks until you're better. How come you can talk?" the boy said. Meowth flinched.
/Taught myself. Don't tell./ The boy considered this for a moment before nodding.
"Okay! It can be our secret. I'm Ash, but my friends call me Red, cause of my eyes." Meowth tilted his head studying the red pupils.
/Meowth./ Ash tilted his head.
"Meowth's your name?" Not really. Meowth's name was more like 'smallish meowth who acts odd and smells nice' but humans couldn't really say that so he nodded.
"It's good to meet you Meowth," Ash said. An older gentleman in a lab coat entered then.
"Ah, I see our patient has woken up. How is he?" the old man asked.
"Meowth's still sore, but I think he'll be okay," Ash said. Meowth watched warily as the professor approached him and began to examine him. He flinched a couple times as the professor touched him where it hurt but didn't speak. The professor smiled.
"Looks like he'll be just fine."
"Thanks Professor Oak!" Ash exclaimed. Meowth studied the man who had saved him, and meowed softly, concentrating on not projecting. Professor Oak smiled.
"Thanks for watching him Ash." Ash grinned.
"Can I help with him?"
"Sure, no reason why not. I could always use the help around here. Just be careful, these are battler pokemon." Ash nodded happily.
"I will!"
Days passed. Meowth expected Ash to grow tired of caring for an injured pokemon, especially as he refused to talk in case Professor Oak overheard him. Instead Ash entertained himself devising signals Meowth could use instead of talking, and was always eager to help out. When Meowth could finally move freely he was disappointed he'd have to leave soon. Ash surprised him by asking why.
/Not injured. Wild, no trainer. Professor not keep wild pokemon./ Ash shook his head.
"That's not true. I'm sure Professor Oak would be happy to keep you around so he can study a meowth's behaviors, and if not you can come home with me." Surprised Meowth blinked.
/You want me?/
"Of course! You're really smart, and I could use your help in becoming a pokemon master." Meowth smirked in amusement at Ash's naivete.
/You want to master pokemon?/
"I want to be the best with them." Meowth considered.
/Meowth will help. You'll have to listen, not easy./ Ash beamed.
"I will!"