The sounds of whimpering and suffering were heard all throughout the dark forest as the troubled Meowth ran from everything he once knew. Memories of his youth were spinning in his head, re-living the suffering he once endured. All of his dreams, hopes, and desires were reduced to ashes, burning in his mind. He felt like the world was his enemy in a way he never thought of before. Sure, Team Rocket was meant to be enemies of the world, but not like this. This was a whole new definition of emptiness and oppression, something that Meowth feared most.
Not far behind him, Ash and his partner Pikachu were following his tracks, hoping to catch up to the cat like Pokémon. As for Meowth, he didn't care about anything anymore, he didn't care if the twerps were on his tail, trying to punish him after so many attempts to steal Pikachu. After all, nothing would change, he thought. However, Ash had no intentions of harming him, and instead wanted to figure out what was really going on.
Pikachu and his trainer kept their running pace, desperate to catch up to Meowth to find answers. The rough and unstable terrain however, proved to be too much for them. "Pikachu, you keep following him ahead, I'll catch up soon" Ash told the fast mouse. Pikachu usually did not like leaving his trainer behind, but when he ordered something, then it had to be important. The electric type complied, using his Quick Attack move to speed up the chase.
In seconds, Pikachu was out of the forest to a clearing where Meowth was in sight, desperately running to push himself as far away as possible. The cat Pokémon looked like something different, not the Meowth that Pikachu knew. It was something in utter misery and agony, with every part of his body, all bruised up and torn in distress.
By the time Ash had caught up with Pikachu, he could see that Meowth was wearing down, and by the looks of it, could not run any longer. The two partners approached the cat Pokemon carefully and calmly, trying not to startle him. "Meowth, please stop running, you're only going to hurt yourself more than you already have" Ash called out in concern. However, the pale looking Meowth seemed to not be concerned with his physical health, or anything for that matter. "I thought I told youz twerps to stay away from me!" he hissed, trying to look threatening.
"Look, we just want to talk-"
"Well I don't!" Meowth barked in distress.
"I've had enuff of all dis, always runnin in ta trouble wherever I go only to get caught by yous twerps!"
Ash had no idea what to make of this, Meowth was expressing a new emotion that he has never seen before in him. Pikachu however, still remained suspicious of the known cat Pokémon who is full of tricks.
"Then why are you always after me? You seem to be doing this to yourself." he chimed in, not willing to fall for another scandal. However, Meowth now had a depressed look that made Pikachu regret what he had said.
"Meowth, what really happened to Jessie and James?" Ash tried, avoiding continuing the harsh subject.
There was no reply, so he tried again.
"Did something happen to-"
"Der all dead twerp get it!" the cat blurted out in rage and sadness.
"Dey were all I had and now they're gone! They had good hearts and made me special, but dey couldn't get der job done because youz kept torturing us!"
Ash and Pikachu were in awe as the cat let out all the anger and distress that was building up inside him.
"Dey did everyting for da boss, risked their own lives for him, and yet dey couldn't satisfy him enough to have der lives spared!"
There was a moment of silence before the cat started to form tears in his eyes. He suddenly fell to his knees, he realized that his mischief had led him to a lonely world, without Jessie and James. As he stared into the eyes of Pikachu who had a worried look on his face, decided that he couldn't take the embarrassment of admitting that he liked him and wanted his forgiveness. Meowth suddenly began to feel the worst feeling he has ever felt in his life. He began to form tears in his eyes, realizing that not only has he failed to become successful and rich, but he was enemies with someone he looked up to.
All of the twerps starred in sorrow as Meowth began to cry in agony of all his failures. His face was bright red with his sobs blocking his breath. Meowth was now more embarrassed than ever to break down in front of them, so he continued to run. He scurried into the dark woods where no one would find him. Pikachu saw this and ran after him, realizing that Meowth's behavior was no joke.
Meowth was now in complete distress and full of chaotic thoughts that raced in his mind. He realized that everything he did was hopeless. All he ever did was wrong, with his reputation of stealing, no one would ever forgive his evil doings. He wanted it to stop, all of it. He needed a way out, even if his body resisted. Meowth had to do it, he had to end himself from all the pain.
He then stumbled upon a great ravine that looked to be a quarter mile deep. Meowth cried, realizing that this was all he could do to end his pain. He then took a deep breath, preparing for his final moments alive. Pikachu saw this as he finally caught up to Meowth, in shock and slight disbelief.
"Wait! Meowth what are you doing?" the mouse squeaked, getting no reply to reassure his worry. Meowth only moved forward, not acknowledging what was to stop him.
"No, please Meowth! You don't have to do this, you really don't!" Pikachu yelled.
Meowth heard this, only to look back with a depressing expression that made his worst enemy sob. "Please Meowth, please let me help you! Don't do this to yourself!" Pikachu tried to say in a heartwarming tone. Meowth wished he could believe him, but wouldn't let himself think that.
"Pikachu, it's too late for me, I'm sorry I tried to capture youz. This is what I deserve." Meowth spoke, sounding lifeless as nothing.
"That's not true! No one deserves this, I don't want this to happen, it won't solve anything." Pikachu squeaked, getting more and more upset.
"Der's nothing left for me, everyting I loved is gone and everyting I dreamed about is now a nightmare!" the cat cried, releasing his dark emotions to the concerned mouse.
"There's no place for me in this world, there never was, and there never will be…" he admitted out loud.
"No no NO! You're wrong! There is a place for you in this world!" Pikachu says nearly screaming this.
This caught Meowth's attention and made him question.
"Ha! What is it den? Name one ting on why I shouldn end it right here 'n go to a better place?"
Pikachu, still in shock, tried to think of what he could say to this. They then stared at each other for a moment before Meowth started walking towards the edge of the cliff.
"Nooo! Wait! I know! You have a chance to be forgiven, you can change and be a better Meowth, then people will like you! Please, don't end it like this, you still have a long life to live, you can change!" Pikachu struggled to say as his mind was spinning a mile a minute.
Meowth didn't look normal, he looked as if something was missing in his soul and seemed lifeless. Pikachu couldn't handle it anymore, he couldn't bear to see a Pokémon end its life right before his eyes. Without hesitation, he ran over and grabbed Meowth's arm, pulling him away from the edge. Meowth struggled and tried to squirm out, but Pikachu's grip was very tight. Meowth was losing his energy and when he wasn't able to pull out of Pikachu's grasp, he gave himself up and let his body shut down.
Pikachu gasped at this, but felt slightly relieved that Meowth was still breathing.
Meowth awoke and squinted his eyes in the bright light in the tent. He saw that the light was a lamp and noticed that he was inside a tent. He tried to remember how he got himself there but he couldn't seem to think why in his condition. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from outside and got nervous. What was going to happen to him? When the zipper opened, it was Pikachu who stepped in the tent and stood before him. Normally, Meowth's reaction is to swipe Pikachu and run off, but this time, for the first time ever, he felt fear.
Meowth flinched away from Pikachu, trying to keep his distance. "Don't come near me, twerp! Please stay away!" Meowth yelled, holding back tears. Pikachu could sense he was in distress much like a dog could sense fear. Pikachu knows that calming Meowth down will be a difficult task since he is well aware of the trauma he has caused by electrocuting him and blasting him off, many times. "Hey, it's okay, please don't be frightened, I'm only here to help you" Pikachu said trying to sound caring.
Pikachu attempted to slightly move closer to Meowth who saw this and now started to shiver. Then Meowth began to yell something Pikachu was least expecting. "PLEASE, DON'T HOIT ME! HAVE MWERCY, THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE I CAN GO!" Meowth pleaded, now showing tears. Meowth then realized that there was no escape from Pikachu's presence so all he could do was hide in the corner of the tent. Pikachu couldn't help but feel like he was guilty of Meowth having such a frightened reaction after all the times he shocked him with his Thunderbolt. But this was no time to beat himself up about it, so he cautiously tiptoed over to where Meowth was hiding, trying to be as quiet as possible.
Meowth wasn't paying attention as Pikachu approached him ever so quietly, he was now too frightened to open his eyes. All that could be heard now was Pikachu's quiet footsteps and Meowth's heavy breathing. Meowth was cold and in pain mentally, he thought that no mercy would be given to him after all the trouble he had caused. While he thought the worst, he suddenly felt a warm paw touch his arm that caused his whole body to flinch. Even though it startled him, he liked it for some reason. It felt like a warm light touching his frozen body. Meowth then found some courage and looked up at Pikachu who was smiling.
"It's okay, I know you're scared, but I promise that I will help you from now on, as long as you let me help you" Pikachu spoke softly, attempting to comfort the shivering Meowth.
Meowth was hesitant at first by Pikachu's request, would he really help him? Or was this merely a trick so he could finally get his revenge. Meowth was worried about this, but then he saw Pikachu's friendly expression. Once again, he was reminded of the time when he and Pikachu got tied up together. That was the same face he saw when Pikachu was kind enough to share an apple with his worst enemy. That was the most generous thing he had ever seen, and by the looks of it, Pikachu wants to once again be generous to his enemy by helping him start a new life.
Meowth soon realized, this could be the start of a better life for him, one where he could make friends and achieve great things. Meowth looked up to Pikachu, wiping some tears from his eyes. "You would do that for me?" questioned Meowth. "Of course I would, I realize now how lonely you have been and all those attempts to capture me, they were all cries for help. Why else would you keep going after me?" stated Pikachu.
The cat thought about this for a moment and then realized that he was right. "I think you're right, of course, at least I still had Jessie and James" Meowth wept to himself.
"I'm really sorry for what happened to them. But you're gonna get through this and be a better Meowth, they would want that." Pikachu said rather compassionately.
Meowth wept at this, knowing that Pikachu was trying to make him feel better. "I know they would, thank you Pikachu" Meowth said in happy tears. Pikachu then gave a friendly smirk. "You're welcome, Meowth".
Meowth suddenly gave a great yawn as soon after, he realized it was still dark out. Pikachu giggled at this, "Looks like all that hard running has finally made you tired, you feeling okay?" the mouse inquired.
"Yea, I'm fine, jus a bit cold" Meowth replied in a slight vibration of his body. Pikachu could now see the cat shivering as the cold night air outside started to get to him.
"Aww, you do look really cold, how bout I sleep with you tonight?" he proposed.
Meowth was again hesitant since he still wasn't comfortable getting near a Pokémon that could give him a painful shock. Pikachu noticed his concerned look on his face.
"Hey it's okay, I just want to help you sleep, and I promise I won't shock you, other than Ash" Pikachu jokes.
He then looks at Meowth who still doesn't look convinced. "I dun know Pikachu, it's jus that every time I hav touched you, I get shocked and I really don't want to feel that again." Meowth said in worry.
Pikachu then took out his right paw and held it up, trying to get Meowth to touch him but only made him flinch and back away.
"You don't know what I actually feel like don't you?" Pikachu observed from the past times he has encountered him.
"Well don't worry, I will help you get comfortable with me and soon, all of Ash's Pokémon." Pikachu says while holding his fist up as Ash does.
Meowth looked even more worried, but realized he had no choice, Pikachu was all he had now and he needed to do whatever it takes to start a better life.
"Okay fine, youz win" Meowth says and lies down on the sleeping bag. Pikachu then smiled and laid right next to him.
The electric type noticed that Meowth was still shivering a bit and kept his distance from him. He then tried to cuddle with him, trying to warm him up which only made Meowth slide himself back, afraid of making contact with the electric mouse.
"Hey don't worry, I'm just trying to make you feel warm." spoke Pikachu. The little mouse then took out his paw once again.
"Here, feel my paw." he suggested. Meowth still was frightened, but there he saw Pikachu's friendly face that looked… adorable, for some reason. The mouse wiggled his fingers, gesturing to touch him.
"Come on! You can do it Meowth" he said encouragingly.
At this point, he could no longer resist Pikachu's caring nature. He took a deep breath and cautiously reached his paw out to touch Pikachu's. As soon as he made contact, he didn't flinch nor jump. Instead, he felt warmth that relaxed him a bit. He liked it so much that he didn't want to let go, so he held on. Pikachu noticed Meowth liking this and slowly came closer to him.
The cat Pokémon slightly flinched, only not as frightened as last time. He then felt Pikachu's foot touch his leg which gently rubbed against his thigh. Meowth felt his soft foot as more comforting and felt the warmness enter his body. Pikachu giggled at this when Meowth gave a sigh of sensation.
"See? I knew you would like this! Now, just relax…" Pikachu spoke soothingly, nearly whispering.
This is when Meowth felt the yellow mouse's fur rub on his body that felt so soft like a blanket. He could hardly believe that his once worst nemesis was now cuddling with him. It felt good, VERY good, for some reason. Meowth was now tingling in sensation as Pikachu cuddled closer to Meowth.
Pikachu whispered more kind words, making Meowth feel safe and comfortable hearing Pikachu's presence. Pikachu then started to rub Meowth's back with his tail. Meowth felt his body tingle as the electric mouse happened to rub his ticklish spot.
"Oh, you really like that don't you?" giggled Pikachu.
Meowth was too relaxed to even respond, as he then started to pur. Pikachu had never heard this noise from Meowth before, but then again, he was a cat and that must have been normal. Meowth had never felt this good in a very long time. He was almost at the brink of tears as this is the nicest thing Pikachu had ever done for him.
With all of the comfort he was receiving and the exhaustion of running, the cat slept well through the night, dreaming of hope that maybe, he will live in a world where he could be accepted for who he was.