Just a little experiment for a change of perspective. You didn't think that I would forget about these two didja?

A Plea to Anyone…

-James's POV-

If it weren't for that device, we'd be pancakes by now with all of the flying that we do.

It's been a rough few weeks. We wanted to keep looking for Meowth, but we still had to do our work to earn our keep. It was awkward, to say the least…

-Flashback-

"Putting the do-gooders in their place!"

"We're Team Rocket!"

"IN YOUR FACE!"

"Aren't there usually three of you…?"

"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!"

We never found Meowth after that encounter with the twerps at the river. I missed him. And Jessie did too, even though she would never admit it. I could tell because she never did send the application for a new partner Pokémon. Not that the boss cared whether we were three or two.

It was a silent agreement that we should give up the search. Neither Yanmega nor Mime Jr. could track down Meowth. After two weeks of searching we had decided that, wherever he had fled to after that day, he obviously did not want to be found. Another three weeks have gone by, and it has not gotten any easier. Who knows what Jessie feels, since she shoves it all down, but I haven't been handling it well at all.

Ever since Meowth left, it never felt right, like a piece was missing whenever we did our misdeeds. Since we couldn't seem to pull it together with just the two of us, we decided to find other means. Jessie donned her Jessadia reporter costume and looked for work in the nearby city, while I returned to the dabbling of my crafts to try and sell them in a more rural setting. We met once a week to see what profits we turned.

One night, I was setting up my sleeping bag at the little spot between buildings that I dubbed my own when I heard a voice.

"'Scuse me, sonny." I turned around and saw an elderly man.

"Oh, forgive me sir, I just put everything away. I can get them back out if you want to buy something."

"Nah, that's not it. Do you sleep out here," he asked, looking at the less than sanitary alley.

"Uh… I just figured I'd stay out here to catch the early birds, you know. It would be more productive than going all the way back to my bed… which I most definitely have."

"Son, has anybody told you that you're a bad liar?"

I sighed, "All right, so I don't have a bed, but I travel a lot; I'm used to sleeping outside." No lies in there…

"Well, I have a couch at my house which is right down the road. You can stay for the night and still catch the 'early birds', how about that?"

"Oh, I couldn't possibly impose." If Jessie finds out, then she'll demand that we change locations. It's too risky to stay with anyone, since our faces are everywhere.

The old man smiled kindly, "Nah, pleasure's all mine. It's been kinda lonely at the home. Retirement ain't all it's cracked up to be, I'll tell ya."

Well, I suppose that one night couldn't hurt. Then I can leave to another village around the city where Jessie stays.

"Very well, thank you for your kindness, sir." I gave him a slight bow.

He grasped his wrist joints and gave them a quick rub, "Wouldn't have been decent to leave you out here, considering it's going to rain soon." I looked up and saw that a thick, inky stew of clouds had started forming in the quickly dimming sky.

Thanking the man once again, I shouldered my bag containing the crafts that I sold and followed him to his house, a modest one bedroom house with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room with the couch that I was to sleep on. After he bid me good night, I laid on the couch covering myself with the blanket he left me.

So this is what common courtesy feels like… It reminds me of my times with my Nana and Pop-pop. I wonder… since Meowth left to start an honest life, has he found someone's graces to fall on? Does he have enough food? Or does he live alone, like a hermit, finding what he needs?

…

I don't know whether or not anyone watches over this world, but I'm not going to wish for Meowth back. He left for his own reasons… I just want to know… wherever he is… Is he happy?

Rain started to patter against the window and I decided that if I didn't get to sleep soon, there would be too much noise from the thunder. After waiting a bit for some sort of sign, I decided to let the matter rest for now and get my required 6 hours.

Soon after I closed my eyes, I dreamt that I was in some sort of cave. I seemed to be transparent, but everything seemed real enough. I heard footsteps racing down from the corridor to my right and I turned to see a Doduo for a split-second before it dashed straight through me. Soon after, two more shapes followed. I froze the instant I heard that familiar voice.

"Get back here, ya big palooka!" I turned and saw that familiar shape before they turned a corner.

Unable to use my legs, I willed myself to drift along, following them. Soon I caught up and found that it was indeed Meowth, flanked with a… (I mentally sorted through my flash cards) Riolu.

The Riolu, surprisingly, spoke up, "Man, there sure is a reason this guy has gone uncaptured for so long!" But Meowth had that gleam in his eye, "Good thing we got an ace in the hole…"

Curious to see what it was, I drifted ahead to the Doduo and saw that it had already sustained a few scratches and energy burns (that Riolu must know force palm). It ran ahead and seemed to be making a mad dash for some stairs that seemed out of place for a cave. But before it reached them, it passed over a crack and purple sludge oozed out, grabbing its legs and making it trip.

Meowth and the Riolu soon caught up and the Riolu said, "Good job, Siltram! Right on time!" More purple sludge came up, forming into a Grimer, which had a Poké ball-shaped badge on it. It seemed to beam with pride, "All in a day's work, bosses!"

Taking a closer look I saw that the Riolu and Meowth both had a similar badge. Meowth grinned and said, "How many times have we told you ta stop calling us 'boss'? We're partners." The Grimer just shrugged its shoulders. Meowth looked at the Doduo and said, "Well, time to finish up."

Meowth and the Riolu walked up to the Doduo and Meowth said, "Doduo, wanted for five thieveries, AKA the Beige Bandit, it's time for you ta be brought in. But first you need to return the items you stole."

I was shocked. Meowth became a good guy?! He chases outlaws and wherever he is, Pokémon can talk?! No wonder we couldn't find him! He must be in a different world entirely!

The Doduo snapped me out of my reverie, "Ha! You think I'll just give them to you?"

Meowth just casually looked at the Riolu, "I don't think he's gonna cooperate, Rio."

The Riolu, Rio apparently, said "We had a feeling you'd say that. Siltram?"

The Grimer slithered over the Doduo's body, all the way up to its heads. The Doduo started struggling, "Ew! Gross! Get this guy off of me!"

I was too busy laughing to hear the next few minutes of the conversation. Meowth must have come up with that! He always had a knack for the outlandish.

But one thing that I noticed was Meowth's bearing. His shoulders were squared like he was ready to take on anything. As if a great weight were lifted off and he had grown stronger… And all the while, that look of excitement never left his eyes.

Our little Meowth is all grown up…

The dream faded and I woke up to the morning sun through the window.

-Rio's POV-

Meowth let out a hearty sneeze while Doduo was leading us to his item stash. But I was focusing on the emotions I just picked up

What was that just now? I felt a strong sense of happiness and pride… tinged with a bit of sadness.

That's the first interlude! I like James, and I wanted to give him some clarification. Could The Voice have a hand in this? I could end this here, but if you all have any ideas, I'm all ears. And by "you all", I mean the ONE person who actually reviews this story… Thank you Antex, your reviews keep me going!