What's Inside
Angi: Cager? Cager? Where are you??? :s
Anto: Hey, can anyone help us find the Cager? :( We've lost her!
Marik Kitty: Hahaha! Now that Cager's lair is missing its hostess, it'll be totally defenseless! I can now take over it and with my band of mind-slave anime kitties I shall rule and become the Lord of Cager's Lair! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Raistlin: *stares at the little Marik Kitty before turning back to the audience* As you can see, with us having lost the Cager even our most sane muse friends are losing it. Of course *snicker* many of us were mad to start with.
Albert de Morcerf: *frantic* Where's Cager? Where's my Cager? WHERE IS SHE!!!??? *bursts into tears*
Antea: o_O Master Albert, you're not one of Cager's muses! What are you doing out here?
Albert: I want my Cager!!
Jouti: This is getting out of hand. *turns to the audience* Please, if any of you know about the Cager's whereabouts, please inform us. Only one guess per review. Each chapter we're going to give a hint on where the Cager may be hidden. You have to be specific where you think Cager is, so just saying "I think she's in the Kanto Region of the Pokemon World" won't get you anything. Yes, that's right. There's a reward: 25,000np (neopoints) cash for your Neopets (so if you don't have a Neopets account, you'll be out of luck :P) For those of you who have a grudge against Neopets for any reason at all we don't want to here about it. You just don't have to participate in the search.
Today's Hint: Cager is somewhere in one of her favorite animes. (Which means she's going to be someplace in either the world of Pokemon, Digimon, DB(Z, GT and whatever else they may have!), Yu-Gi-Oh!, etc..) So, don't be saying she's at Hogwarts, down in the Slytherin common room or shooting through the phone lines in the Matrix, alright? Have a good time guessing! Remember, a new clue will be given in the next chapter, and once again--ONLY ONE GUESS PER CHAPTER REVIEW! You can always make a new guess on your next review in the next chapter.
Antea: *holds a sobbing Albert in her arms* Please, hurry up and find her! He's about to have a cow!
Angi: Too late for that. *sigh* I guess I'm giving the disclaimer today. Cager does not own Pokemon, the Anime kitties, characters from the Dragonlance Chronicles (Raistlin, Tas, and Gilthanas are just here to muse), or Albert from The Count of Monte Cristo. She does own Kenjo and us Anti-Clones but she can't really claim us now while she's missing.
Bakura Kitty: Please, read and remew! (review) Oh, and don't forget to help us find the Cager! :( Without her, how will I be able to get fresh fish for lunch?
Chapter 2
Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. Down....
Meowth could feel the rocking of the Pokeball as his Trainer walked but it wasn't at all uncomfortable. It was as if the Pokeball had built-in shock absorbers. Maybe it did? Meowth wasn't sure. Being in a Pokeball was a totally new experience for him. Ever since he'd been picked up by Team Rocket he had been left outside Pokeballs because he could cooperate with humans. Now that he saw what it was like inside them Meowth decided they weren't too bad.
I'm completely comfortable, not at all cramped like I always thought 'dey'd be, thought Meowth as he gently rocked back an forth. I didn't think it looked like 'dis, either. Lookin' at a Pokeball from the outside makes it look as if it's all plastic an' metal, but on the inside it seems ta be like stained glass. I never 'dought I'd be able ta see the outside world while inside a Pokeball.
Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. Down....
I've never been treated in a Pokemon Center like 'dat either, mused Meowth. Too bad I was out cold, it woulda been interestin' ta see exactly how 'dat machine got me all fixed up like new.
Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. Down....
Maybe I should have Jess and Jim... hmm? Meowth's thoughts were interrupted when he felt the gentle rocking come to an abrupt stop. He stood up and pressed himself to the glasslike-side of the Pokeball to see what had made his new 'Trainer' stop. The boy had his Pokedex out and before him stood a Nidoran Male. His Trainer was saying something but all he could hear was a soft mumble. His Trainer reached for his Pokeballs and, to Meowth's great surprise, closed his fingers around his Pokeball! Meowth felt it being raised and then watched as the glass around him seemed to change back into metal as the Pokeball was enlarged. This time, when his Trainer shouted, he heard every word perfectly.
"Meowth, I choose you!" A mixed feeling of both fear and exhileration filled Meowth as he felt his Pokeball fly through the air and burst open. He landed down on all fours with his claws extended, ready to fight. Ready to fight? Meowth had never had such an urge to crush this Pokemon before him!
"Wait, Meowth. Just wait a moment," said his Trainer when he saw how much his Meowth wanted to start slashing. The Nidoran hissed and charged, its horn poised for battle.
"Now, dodge it and use the Scratch attack, Meowth!" ordered the Trainer. Meowth felt something click inside of him then--something that had never happened before--and instinct took over. He rolled out of the way and then turned to slash the Nidoran's unprotected side with his claws. The Nidoran managed to turn and give Meowth a few punctures with its horns but Meowth didn't even feel them. His claws seemed to have a mind of their own but Meowth was entire conscious of all he was doing--and he liked it!
"Bite it--Now!" shouted the Trainer. With a loud "Meowth" the cat Pokemon bit deep into the Nidoran's ear.
"Raaaaaa!" cried the Nidoran as it fell down to its belly in pain.
"Pokeball, go!" cried the Trainer, as he threw the half-red, half-white sphere. It smacked into the Nidoran Male's side and sucked it in. Both he and Meowth watched intently as it rocked back and forth. Such a moment always seems to a last an eternity to a Trainer, but to the Pokemon who worked to capture the wild one it always feels as if it lasts longer than even that. To the relief of Meowth, the ball stopped its rocking and the button in the center turned white, signaling the capture of the Pokemon.
"Yes! I have a new Nidoran!" laughed his Trainer and he watched the Pokeball glow and transfer itself back to Prof. Oak's research lab. He turned to his Meowth with a smile, but then a look of dismay crossed his face. Meowth, who was quickly coming back to his senses, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness fall over him. Pain like nothing he ever felt before erupted from his belly and chest where the Nidoran had pierced him and where poison was now working its way through his body.
"Meowth, are you okay?" asked the Trainer as he came to kneel next to his convusling Pokemon.
Do I look okay, you numbskull?! thought Meowth but he managed to control his voice and just give a faint "Merow..." Meowth thought for sure his Trainer was going to stuff him back into his Pokeball and head straight to the nearest Pokemon Center, but to his utter surprise, his Trainer began to rummage around in his back pack. He pulled out a small, corked bottle and a disposable needle and began to tend to Meowth. He injected the syrup from the bottle into Meowth arm and then began to clean up the rest of his wounds with disinfectant and water. Meowth felt the pain ease immediatly after having the antidote injected and felt even better when his Trainer had him all bandaged up.
"There," sighed his Trainer as he took Meowth into his arms and held him gently. "You'll be okay now, Meowth." His Trainer looked at him with a look of complete and utter fondness--a look Meowth had never seen directed towards him before. His trainer was proud that he had helped to capture that Pokemon but he was also relieved that he was all right. Meowth felt something else, another one of those odd feelings, creep over him. The odd feeling intensified when his Trainer began to scratch behind his ears and whisper, "I'm so very proud of you. You're the best Meowth there has ever been."
* * *
"Oh, Kenjo, it's you!" cried Mrs. Sukai as she looked through the video phone screen to her son.
"Yeah, it's me. How are you?" replied Kenjo with a smile.
"I'm just fine. What about you, Sweetie? Are you okay?" asked his mother with a slight quiver in her voice.
"I'm alright, Mother. Really, I am!" laughed Kenjo who never got over the fact that his mother was such a worrywart. "I'm just at the Pokemon Center near Fushia City."
"You're still at Fushia? Honey, are you going to move on to another town soon? You've been there for nearly four months."
"I know, Mom, but I--"
"No, I don't want any more excuses," sighed his Mother as she raised her hand. "I've heard them over and over again. You really need to get on, Ken-chan. If you don't, you won't reach the Pokemon League until your fifty! I may not even be here when the time comes...." Her voice trailed off and her look was distant.
"Oh, Mom, don't say that," whispered Kenjo, touching the screen. "I'll be moving on soon. Don't worry, I'll just wait until my Meowth is entirely healed and then I'll be on my way."
"A Meowth?" asked his Mother, her face brightening. "I didn't know you had one. When did you capture it? Is it a good Meowth?" Kenjo laughed at his Mother's quick change in subject.
"In this order: Yes, I do have one, I captured it yesterday, and yes, it's very good." Kenjo smiled when he saw how happy he had made his mother. She had not been able to do much on her Pokemon Journey when she was younger and she wanted her son to get as much out of the experience as he possibly could. "Oh, and I wanted to ask you, how's Tic and Tac doing? Are they helping you with the Murkrow problem?"
"As a matter of fact they are," beamed his mother as she turned so he could see Tic (a Minun) and Tac (a Plusle) playing in the back ground. "Ever since you sent them over I have not had one cabbage or eggplant carried off or pecked or anything. Thank you for letting me use them, Ken."
"You're welcome, Mother. Well, I guess I'd better go. I do believe my Meowth is just about healed up. See you later, Mom."
"Bye, Sweetie. I love you," called his Mother before the screen went black. Kenjo was just hanging up the receiver when a smiling Nurse Joy came up to him, carrying Meowth in her arms over to him.
"Here's your Meowth, Kenjo. He's ready for battle once again," said Nurse Joy as she deposited a healthy Meowth in Kenjo's arms.
So, his name's Kenjo, is it? thought Meowth, letting himself hang loosely in Kenjo's arms.
"Thanks Nurse Joy. Did I do a good job of bandaging him up? Did I follow procedures correctly?" asked Kenjo with an eager smile.
"You did wonderfully," replied Joy with a smile. "He just needed a little more tending when you brought him in, but..." Her voice faltered and a small frown-line appeared in between her brows as she continued. "How long have you had this Pokemon, Kenjo?"
"Only since yesterday," replied Kenjo, making Meowth start.
Yesterday? When did 'dat happen? I should'a already gotten his Pokemon by now! thought Meowth franticly. He hadn't been able to get a full grip on the passing of time since his battle with Kenjo's Butterfree. He must have still been sleeping in the Pokeball when all that time had passed.
"Well," continued Joy, neither she nor Kenjo noticing how tense Meowth was, "he's very undernourished. I think you need to make sure and get some food into it every day. He's nearly skin and bones!"
"Yeah, I noticed that yesterday," muttered Kenjo with a frown. "I guess he wasn't much of a hunter out in the wild."
"Make sure to stop by the kitchen before you leave, alright, Kenjo?" prompted Joy, her tone saying she already knew what answer was coming.
"Yes, ma'am," piped Kenjo with a nod.
Food!? Meowth's mouth began to water at the very thought. Kenjo stood and, giving a quick farewell to Joy, headed towards the kitchen. That was when a new idea stuck Meowth. What if I just wait a few days before gettin' his Pokemon? I mean, Jess an' Jim'll understand 'dat sometimes 'dese plans take time, so jus' a few days won't hurt. All 'dis free food! I guess Jess an' Jim did come up with a good plan, afterall. Ha ha! Kenjo--Party of two!
* * *
"I know this is a little odd, Meowth, but I would like to keep you out here with me," said Kenjo as they walked down the route that led out of Fushia City after having eaten and stocked up on traveling supplies. "You see, I've met a few trainers that travel around with a Pokemon out of their Pokeballs so they have someone to talk to while traveling. My cousin, Lisa, really likes to have her Aipom with her wherever she goes, so I mostly got the idea from her."
"Meowth," muttered Meowth with an understanding nod. Pikachu was always outside his Pokeball, so why not he? Kenjo was silent for a few minutes. It was a kind of awkward silence, like he was holding back on saying something but Meowth understood just a few more minutes later when Kenjo resumed talking.
"I used to travel around with my Eevee out with me all the time." Kenjo said this in a very quiet voice. "Eevee and I were very close but when it evolved... into an Umberon... it didn't seem to think of me as a worthy trainer anymore. I... I guess it's because I only have two badges. Then," Kenjo's voice became heated and hard, "then, it was stolen from me! It was coaxed away with false promises and fake rewards! It was stolen from me by a Rocket."
Meowth's heart froze for an instant. He was almost certain the reason Kenjo was saying this was because he already knew that Meowth was a Rocket but was reassured when Kenjo continued talking instead of beginning any accusations.
"I hate Rockets!" growled Kenjo dangerously. "They don't do anything worth-while! All they do is lie, cheat and steal. Well, I'm not going to make the same mistake I made with Eevee." He turned to Meowth with a determined look in his eye. Meowth looked up at him with a frozen, yet admiring, heart.
"You'll help me, won't you Meowth? You'll help me gain those badges I need to win, won't you?" He knelt down and took Meowth's paws in his hands, surprising Meowth beyond all reason. This human was speaking to him as an equal, not as a master to a servant, like he always expected a trainer to act. "With you by my side, I'm sure to get the badges I need to gain both the Pokemon League Champion chip and the respect of all my Pokemon. I'm sure of it."
Kenjo's eyes softened then and his determined filled face fell into a fond smile, that expression that always made Meowth feel odd inside. "You're the best Meowth there is, I know it! Together, we can do anything. Thank you, for joining me in my journey, Meowth. Thank you." He pulled Meowth into his arms just then and continued down the road, smiling and caressing Meowth's fur.
I've got ta get outta here! thought Meowth frantically. I don' understand what I'm feelin' but it probably ain't good! I need ta get outta here an' take his Pokemon ta'night!
To be continued...