Chapter 5: The Storm

I can't believe it… That lying, horrible, SON-OF-A-DITTO!

Bidoof was saying something, but I couldn't hear him. I was so angry that I was shaking.

"Rio! Take a look at the board. Top left!"

Rio looked at the board and looked shocked, "T-that means…"

There was a wanted poster of Drowzee. Wanted in two regions; known for deception.

"You were right! Drowzee's actually an outlaw! We have to move, Azurill is in danger!" We both ran up the ladder, leaving Bidoof confused.

At the crossroads, we ran into Marill and he looked scared and worried.

I ran up and said, "Marill, what happened? Where are Azurill and Drowzee?"

Marill explained that he wound up all alone when Drowzee went ahead with Azurill, "I called and called! But they didn't come back. I got scared…"

"Which way did they go?"

"Th-this way!" Marill started leading us out of town.

-Rio's POV-

We were running as fast as we could. I was carrying Marill so that we could run faster. I got a glance at Meowth next to me.

I've seen Meowth get angry before, but I've never seen him this serious.

On my back, Marill said, "That's it! That mountain right there!"

I put Marill down and Meowth asked, "You're sure that the two of them went in there?"

Marill nodded, "Yes…"

Meowth turned to me, "Rio, your dream! Didn't you say that you saw them in a mountain area?"

"That's right…"

"Then let's roll!"

We ran into the mystery dungeon, the entrance disappearing behind us. After we were alone, Meowth got my attention, "Rio, we have all the items that we need. What matters most right now is that we catch up to Azurill and Drowzee as quickly as possible."

"Right."

We went through the dungeon as fast as we could, finding the stairs and moving forward. Meowth was especially quick with taking down opponents. He learned Fake Out at some point, allowing him to surprise opponents and take them down before they recovered. Through the whole dungeon, that scowl never left Meowth's face. It was as if he was already ahead to the battle with Drowzee. I felt like I had to say something.

"Meowth…"

"What?"

"You can't blame yourself; Drowzee had everyone fooled."

"I know, Rio. But that's not the reason…"

"Then why? I've never seen you so serious about anything."

"'S personal. I'll tell you one day."

That just made me want to ask him again, but I decided to leave it alone, since he didn't seem to blame himself.

-Meowth's POV-

I don't blame myself because I was fooled; I blame myself because this is exactly the kinda work I did under Team Rocket. Using lies and tricks and acts to play other people and Pokémon; doesn't feel so good being the tricked instead of the tricker.

I need to stop Drowzee, because he's just like the old me.

Soon we got to the final floor and up ahead we heard a cry, "H-h-h…HELP!"

We rushed forward and I shouted, "Stop right there!"

Drowzee turned around and Azurill backed away, crouching into the back corner facing away from him.

"You're not going to get away with this, Drowzee!"

Drowzee was starting to back up, "H-how did you find this place?!"

Rio yelled, "We're Team Righteous! An exploration team! No criminal can escape us!"

"An exploration team?! You came to apprehend…" Drowzee noticed me shaking, "…Huh? Are you… trembling?"

Oh, it's not the kind you're thinking of, big nose.

"A-ha! I've figured it out! You say you're an exploration team, but you're total rookies!"

Rio was looking at me, and I whispered, "Don't worry, Rio. I'm not scared… Seeing this guy really makes me mad."

"Heh. That's right, I'm a wanted Pokémon with a bounty on my head. But can you two do the job? Can you confront this outlaw and bring him to justice? I've been chased by all sorts of exploration teams in my day, but never a sorrier-looking bunch than you. This should be a laugh. Show me what you got!"

"Rush him," I shouted and Rio started with a Quick Attack while I ran forward to follow up.

But Drowzee didn't even try to dodge the attack. He took it with a chuckle, "That tickles." Then he punched Rio away and swept my feet out from under me. But I didn't give up. Relying on my cat agility, I turned the fall into a tumble and jumped up with a Scratch attack.

But Drowzee wasn't even there anymore, he was behind me, "I saw that attack coming." Then he kicked me in the stomach while I was in the air. AN: Forewarn (AKA Prophetic Dream): Will sometimes evade attacks, even ones that never miss.

I managed to avoid the worst of the landing, but I was feeling tired. I reached for an oran berry, but Drowzee stepped on my arm. "I'm finished here. Despite how much fun I'm having, I have things to do." But I could hear footsteps coming up behind him, so I just smirked.

Drowzee's eyes narrowed, "What's that look for?" Then Rio leaped onto Drowzee's back and used Bite on his shoulder.

Drowzee screamed in pain and his foot loosened so I rolled away and ate an oran berry to restore my energy.

Drowzee looked over his shoulder, "You ingrate! You'll pay for that! CONFUSION!"

Oh no! Rio's a fighting type! I have to save him.

I ran over, but Rio was getting slammed around the room, even if I attack Drowzee, I need to break his hold first.

Wait, he had to look over his shoulder to use his attack… Psychics must need their target in sight!

I ran up behind him and jumped onto the back of his head and covered his eyes, using my claws to dig into his nose and hold on.

Rio was free, but he fell like a stone to the ground. The reviver seed in the Treasure Bag started glowing and floated outta the bag towards Rio.

Drowzee tried prying my hands off, but I dug my claws in deeper, "Rrgh! Let go!"

Instead of answering, I just used Bite on the top of his head.

"Argh!" Then Drowzee started to run toward a wall with his head tilted towards it.

Does he think I'm stupid?

I waited until the last minute, and then jumped backwards. He ran his head straight into the wall. He turned around and glared at me.

"CONFU-"

"Too slow!" I used Fake Out and dashed into him elbowing his stomach. While he was cringing I took a quick look at Rio. The reviver seed had started spreading roots of energy that were healing his cuts and bruises. I turned back to Drowzee and moved forward to do more damage.

"Attacking a downed opponent, how typical given a Pokémon of your background."

I stopped and narrowed my eyes, "What do you mean?"

"I can read dreams; dreams are retellings of memories. I'm sure that Jessie and James would be proud of the goody two-shoes you've become."

This made me freeze.

-Rio's POV-

Ugh, Drowzee really took it out of me… good thing we carried this reviver seed. Meowth has been handling himself real well, though. Wait, are they talking? Maybe if I tilt my head a little bit…

"How does it feel to be a former criminal hunting down a current one?"

?!

-Drowzee's POV-

Hehehehe, I just need to keep him distracted until I recover from that little sneak attack. I'll render him so stunned that I won't need psychic powers to finish him. His partner is still recovering so I can finish him at my leisure.

He was trembling a bit, "You have no right to preach to me. I've gone straight, and I'm going to stop you."

"No matter how many outlaws you 'stop' you'll always be a criminal."

"Hi, pot; name's kettle, have we met?" Damn, that just riled him up. I just need to stall a little longer…

"At least I don't lie to myself. I'm sure that that helps with the nightmares." Ha! Perfect, now his guard is down.

"I'm bad and I like it. I revel in it. You pretend to be good, and if your 'friends' found out who you really are, you would be hunted like me. Face it, we're the same. The only difference is that I accept it."

Now his arms were down and he had his head bent down. Now!

I rushed forward, but he took something from his bag and whipped it at my face. I got a glimpse of white before it hit me in the face. I closed my eyes as it shattered and I shook my head.

"Ha! You really thought that something like that would hurt me? I didn't feel a thing!" I opened my eyes.

Darkness.

Wait, why can't I see anything? This is a mountain peak. The sun should be shining down.

"What was that you just threw at me?!" I looked around but still saw nothing. I heard him, his voice seemed to be everywhere, and I couldn't track it.

"It's called a blinker seed. It makes the Pokémon who cracks its shell go totally blind; lights out. And I have to thank you, Drowzee. Earlier today I thought that you were like how I used ta be. But I was wrong. The difference between us is that I had friends who were with me through the good times and bad of being a villain. We kept each other from falling into that pit that you've gone into. I feel sorry for you, Drowzee, leaving my friends was the hardest part of my decision to go straight, but you have nothing and nobody. It's a real shame. And now that I have gone straight and am helping others, I know that I'll be able to change my ways because I have new friends to help me."

What is he going on about? I… well, I…

"But enough talk, I still have to finish this. You did threaten Azurill, after all."

SNIKT!

Oh no…

"Wait! Please have mercy! I swear that I'll surrender and come quietly!"

I couldn't hear his steps or track his voice, but I could hear the edge in it, "Sorry, bud. I may have gone straight, but I'm no saint. And you stepped on Jessie and James's memory by talking about them the way you did. Mercy is not open for discussion right now…"

I felt a Scratch attack go across my back and then the back of my legs, forcing me to drop to my knees. Then I felt one up across my chest and down the side of my face. I couldn't tell when I lost consciousness. All I could see was darkness.

-Rio's POV-

The reviver seed used the last of its energy, and I opened my eyes. I got up and picked up the now plain seed off the ground.

What did I just hear? Meowth used to be a criminal, but he decided to be good?

"I know, Rio. But that's not the reason… 'S personal. I'll tell you one day."

So what do I do? Do I confront him and ask him about it, or do I pretend to not know until he's ready to tell me? I couldn't imagine holding something in like that; I think he needs to share it with someone. I'll hint at it and see if he wants to talk about it.

I ran over to Meowth and he was standing over Drowzee, who was unconscious on the floor.

Meowth turned to me and said with a smile, "Glad to see you're alright Rio."

I nodded, "Let's go get Azurill."

We went to Azurill and told him that we were there to rescue him after checking for injuries.

Meowth said, "Your big brother's waiting. Let's get you home!"

Azurill followed us and I carried Drowzee over my shoulder. We still needed to turn him in to the police, after all.

We met with the lead officer, Magnezone and handed Drowzee over to him. The two magnemite made an electrical barrier around Drowzee and he woke up while we were talking with Magnezone.

"Thanks to you, we have been able to arrest a wanted outlaw. ZZZT! We owe you great thanks for your cooperation! ZZZT! We will send the reward to your guild. Thank you again! ZZZT!"

Then he turned to Drowzee and said, "Now come with us! ZZZT!"

Drowzee moaned, but had no choice with the electrical field. As he passed us, he seemed to focus on Meowth with some semblance of respect.

"Azurill!"

The three of us turned and Marill was standing at the edge of the clearing.

"Marill!"

After a very heartwarming reunion, Marill and Azurill thanked us, "We won't forget what you did for us. Thank you so much."

Marill turned to Azurill, "Come on, Azurill. You too."

Azurill nodded and turned to us, "Thank you very much! Thank you for rescuing me!"

Marill finished, "Really… Really, thank you!"

Afterwards we all started to head back to Treasure Town. Since we were trailing, I decided to try hinting at what Drowzee said about Meowth.

Alright, be subtle…

"How did you beat Drowzee? Didn't he try using Confusion on you too?"

"I used that new move, Fake Out to stun him before he could. He tried to stall for time by talking, but when he attacked, I used a blinker seed on him and finished him off."

"How could he have stalled by talking?"

"He just brought up some unpleasant things… It just made me realize how ridiculous those thoughts were."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"… Sure, but not right now. I'll tell ya tonight."

So, Meowth is finally willing to trust Rio enough to tell him about his past. What will Meowth tell Rio that he doesn't already know? Find out next time!