After debating back and forth with myself, I've decided to quit the way that I've been formatting conversations so far and just make the spacing regular instead of single. Hope y'all don't mind. Enjoy the chapter!

Prologue part 4: Regression

-? POV-

Ah, walking on the beach is always so relaxing. I love the feeling of warm sand under me feet. And the sunset is as pretty as… Hm? What's that? 'Tis a little early for shooting stars. Wait, that's a body!

*Ka-Splash!*

I've gotta help 'em!

-Meowth's POV-

… Where am I? I feel really wet… My name… that's right, it's Meowth. I feel sand. How did I get here? What happ-

*PINCH!*

"YEOOOOW! My tail!"

"Ahoy, mate! Glad to see that you're still among the living." I heard the voice coming from somewhere, but I couldn't see anyone around.

"Down here, landlubber; don't make me pinch you again." I looked down and saw a… what is it called? Oh, a Krabby.

"You were treading water, mate. I jumped in and hauled ye to shore, but you were still out. I decided to give you the pinch test."

"Well thanks a lot. Where am I, anyway?"

"Ye be on the beach upon the outskirts of Treasure Town."

"Wait, how can you talk? I don't think pokémon can do that ordinarily."

"Well, you're a pokémon and you're flapping you're lips."

"I know, but I was a special case, I think. I can't remember much."

During this whole time, I held onto a rock that was in my hand. I don't know why, but it seems to be important. Ah, the top has worn off. It's totally flat now.

"Well, if you find yourself lost, count your paces. What do you remember?

"I remember that my name is Meowth, I remember having met a lot of pokémon, but being the only kind that can talk. Also, I remember that somehow this rock is very important."

"Why would that be important? Looks like any ordinary rock, if a bit worn."

"I don't know why, but I do know that I can't throw this away."

"Well, to each his own. If you're needing to stock up, treasure town's that way. Just follow the path and take a left at the crossroads." He said this pointing down the beach to where a path started.

"Thanks."

I walked down the path and turned left into the town and it was bustling, to say the least. I didn't really feel comfortable being surrounded by so many Pokémon, so I tried to just sneak through, not drawing attention to myself.

"Hey, you there." I froze, feeling a chill up my spine.

"Do you have any money you want to store at Duskull's Bank?" The Pokémon called from behind his counter in a really creepy looking building.

"Uh, I don't have any money."

"What?! That's disastrous! How can anybody not have money? Anybody brave enough to go into a mystery dungeon can literally find poké just lying around."

"What's a mystery dungeon? What's poké?"

"You amaze me, mysterious Meowth. I don't know where you come from, but poké is the currency in these parts. As for mystery dungeons, they are these wonderfully fabulous places where one can find money anywhere inside of them. You have to be careful though, if you faint then you lose half of your money (horrible!) as well as a good chunk of your items."

"If they're so dangerous, then why do people go in?"

"Because while they can be dangerous, they can also have ancient treasures or great secrets; also they change every time you go in, so there are always new items to be found."

"Sounds interesting, I might check one out."

"Then, I'll open an account for you and give you this." He pulled out a cloth sack with a gold "P" decorating it. Looked to be about half a foot deep.

"Gee, thanks."

"Reach in." I stuck my paw in expecting to touch cloth and found nothing. The little thing almost took in my whole arm before I pulled back out.

"What the?! Is this thing cursed?"

"It's charmed with a spell from yours truly. How else are you supposed to carry so much poké? If you need to make a purchase, just whisper the amount of money that you need and it'll pour out. Of course, it's empty right now." AN: This is how I thought pokémon carried so much money with no evident pockets.

"So I can just carry as much money as I want?"

"Yes, but if you plan on going into a mystery dungeon, then money in that bag is subject to thieves."

"Thanks for the tip." I continued walking down the main road, thinking about my next move.

That was nice of him. Now where am I supposed to stay? This town seems to be mainly markets and businesses. Hmm, maybe there's something else further down the road.

I walked down passing two Kecleons advertising their food and wares and a large building where a Kangaskhan stood patiently waiting for anybody who needed help. When I continued down the road, I found that there were no buildings, just a sign that said "Sharpedo Bluff".

Hm, well this is a nice view, but where am I supposed to stay? I started to walk back to the main town, opting to go through a bush instead of around. I guess I'll just have to leave town and find some-WAH! When I stepped on the ground around the bush, I sank straight through and fell down some stairs into an open area.

Ow… Who pulled the ground out? I found the bush next to me and saw that it was hollow inside; just a bunch of branches and leaves tied together on the inside. I looked around and saw that the inside of the bluff was hollow. I could see out of the eyes and mouth of the Sharpedo face. It looked pretty livable, even if it was a bit dirty.

Judging from that fake cover, somebody must've lived here once, but not anymore. Finders, keepers? I think so. Could use some fixing up though, but I need money for that. What did Duskull say? Mystery dungeons?

After covering up the entrance again, I decided to ask around town for info. A pokémon named Vigoroth said that there's a mystery dungeon at the far end of the beach. I walked up to the mouth of the Beach Cave and stared into the dark.

Well, it's now or never.

I walked in and the entrance disappeared behind me, the dungeon lighting up on the inside. I walked around for a bit and found an oran berry. Better hold onto that. Soon after, I found a room with money all over the floor. My bag was twitching and it sucked up whatever money I walked over.

At this rate, I'll have enough money for bedding and dinner.

"Hey, that's our money!"

"Yeah, we just found it so it's ours!"

I turned to see two Shellos that just came in from another hall.

I decided to quip, "Sorry guys; gotta be quicker to get what you want."

"Then we'll finish you quickly," they both shouted as they charged me. I just readied my claws.

-Two hours and three fights later-

Dang, this is pretty tough after all. Good thing I held onto that berry.

After eating the berry, I noticed that I had gotten a bit stronger. Not by a lot, but enough to where I noticed. Continuing, I noticed a seed on the ground. It wasn't like any seed I had seen; it was orange with red cracks. Not knowing what else to do, I held onto it.

I had headed down two levels now, picking up all the money I could find and had gotten quite a bit. I would've turned back, but there is no back, only forward.

-Another two hours later-

So, this is the bottom of the dungeon.

I had gone down some more stairs and found myself in a pit at the bottom of the cave.

So what happens now?

After I said this, I felt a gust of wind and suddenly, I was back on the beach.

Sorry that this was a slow chapter, but we gotta have them sometimes. Also I skipped most of the content of the Beach Cave, because it would be unnecessary filler. This chapter was mainly about Meowth finding Treasure Town and trying to find a way to adjust while re-training himself. Please review to let know how I'm doing!