"So what are we going to do after we find Meowth?" Brock inquired as they continued their journey to Pallet Town. They were almost there.

"I'm sure Mom will want us to stay for a while," Ash pointed out.

"Celi," Celebi giggled at Pikachu, shyly looking at the electric rat from behind Cat.

Lelia narrowed her eyes and protectively went over to Pikachu, rubbing against him.

"Piiiii," the Electric-type gulped, and he ran nimbly up Ash and onto his shoulder as Brock began to talk.

"But you only have three bedrooms, right? Your room, your mom's room, and the guest bedroom...So who is going to sleep where? Excluding Ms. Ketchum's room, of course."

"I'll share Ash's room!" Cat volunteered perkily.

"No," Misty insisted, "you haven't known him long enough. He can't trust you. I'll share his room with him."

"Why would he want to share a room with you?" Cat asked, a snobbish note in her voice.

"Why I'll—" Misty grated as she leapt at cat, and soon they were just a whirl of dust, fists, and feet.

"Now, ladies—" Brock tried to break them up but came out with a black eye and several bruises for all his trouble. "Carry on," he gasped as he collapsed.

Lelia was the one that giggled this time, and Celebi looked at her with angry eyes. "CELEBI!" the Grass-type shouted as she launched herself at the Mew and sent forth a powerful Hyper Beam.

Lelia squealed loudly when the Normal-type attack hit her, and Catherine and Misty paused in the midst of their "cat fight," Misty holding a large chunk of Cat's hair in her fist, and Cat digging her nails into the Water Pokémon Lover's arm.

Blue eyes flashing, Lelia opened her mouth and sent a strong Fire Blast at the dual type. Whimpering, Celebi somehow managed to take the hit, and she got back some of her Health Power with a well-placed Giga Drain.

Lelia staggered under the attack, but she managed to retaliate with Blizzard. Now, Celebi might have been more experienced than the young solely Psychic Pokémon, but the Mew was only weak against Dark and Bug attacks....Neither of which were in Celebi's repertoire.

Then Celebi started singing an enchanting, almost eerie melody. It was a sweet song you felt like you could either listen to forever, or run screaming into a different country if you heard it one more time.

Dexter, in Ash's pocket, pinged. "Perish Song, a Normal attack that will cause both battlers to faint unless they are switched or the battle is stopped."

Looking worried, Cat Enilef ordered the two Psychic-types to quit. But Celebi didn't listen. She was mad. She started glowing, and Lelia looked a little hesitant, starting to back off from the challenge. It was no longer just a harmless game.

Celebi prepared to hit the Mew with Solar Beam, and she let it loose—

—but the attack was deflected by something that sparkling and blue.

A pair of disapproving red eyes stared down at the Timetravel Pokémon, who had a Meowth-caught-with-the-Pidgey expression on her face. "No," the avian said quietly.

Just playin', Celebi tried to defend.

[Well, while you have been here playing with one of the very Pokémon that other Legendaries have been searching relentlessly for, a new evil has begun to gather.]

Cat ever-so-slowly let go of Misty, and she went and hid behind Ash. Misty stared at the brilliant Ice Pokémon, as did Ash and Brock.

"Mew?" Lelia whimpered, coming close to Articuno and then backing up unsurely.

[You!] Articuno turned to Ash, who looked rather scared. [Do you know where the other Mews are?]

Ash merely blinked, "Huh?"

Psychically, Celebi translated what Articuno had asked.

"Team Rocket has them, and we're trying to get them back!" the trainer answered.

Articuno's eyes narrowed, [How many?]

'Ow many? Celebi yawned.

"I think they just have two," Misty volunteered.

A strange barking sound came from behind them, and all turned. Articuno!

[Suicune...Lugia. What are you two doing here?]

Come here, the purple, blue, and white dog ordered.

The trio exchanged a few words, then turned to stare at Cat, who fidgeted nervously. "What?"

~*~*~

"Whew," Meowth sighed. "Mind if I rest me feet a bit?"

Mewsie thought about it, then nodded, "'Tay."

Spying a log, Meowth crawled inside it and lied down on a bed of leaves, looking out. "While Meowth's toesies get a break, how would youze likes a lesson in howz ta talk?"

Mewsie just blinked at him, so he took it as a yes. "All righty. Say...'Top cat'!"

"Mwop mwap."

"No. Tuh-ah-puh cah-tuh."

"Mwop mwap," Mewsie repeated impatiently.

"Top!"

"Mwop!"

"Cat!"

"Mwap!"

"Top!"

"Mwop!"

Just then, something blue flashed in front of Meowth's eyes, and he looked after it, "What was dat?"

~*~*~

Clash!

Thump!

Hiss!

The two Psychic-types circled around each other. They were fighting with tails alone, and it might have been humorous had they not looked so sinister as they did so.

It was like a sword fight among masters....But more.

One would slash, the other would parry. Devon would feint, and his opponent wouldn't fall for it, instead retaliating.

But Devon met blow with blow.

"Fists!" Giovanni called.

Devon aimed a Mega Punch at the other's head, but it was blocked by a forceful paw.

"Soon, very soon," Giovanni grinned.