This chapter was updated/revised on May 7, 2020.


AN: This is the second to last part of this story. Thanks for the reviews and remember to leave recommendations for future fics if you have any. I have a few in mind, but I still want to hear what you all would like to read.


Part Five

The next few weeks were rough. Apparently there were a lot of dangerous things going on in the world and a lot of Lily's family and friends were involved. From what I understood, most of it had to do with Team Rocket and the scary fusion Pokémon Rattata had warned me about.

It was around this time that I met another member of Lily's group, once again inadvertently.

We were in the forest outside the Coral City Gym.

"Today I think most of the kids are going to battle, so I'm probably going to be gone until dinner," said Lily. "I can meet you here at sundown. Is that good?"

"Perfect," I replied.

"Alright, have a good day."

She gave me a peck on the cheek before dashing off.

I spent a lot of time talking with the wild Pokémon there. They were friendly and conversational, and that ended up taking up most of my day.

About two hours after she left, Lily came running towards me. I could tell she was upset.

"I hate Logan!" she cried.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm sick of him! He is everywhere I go, always asking me questions and insisting that we stick together. And he is always copying me…I hate it!"

"You don't truly hate him. He's your brother and you care about him."

Lily got angry a lot, and whenever she did, she cried and blamed people. I knew she wasn't really as upset about her twin brother copying her as she appeared to be.

She wiped her eyes with her arm. " I know but…"

She ranted for a few more minutes. Several of the Pokémon I befriended earlier joined us and talked to Lily. Soon everything quieted down. Lily wasn't angry anymore.

Then we heard someone coming.

"It's Annastasia," said Lily. "She's probably going to lecture me on how I need to be nicer to my hypersensitive brother."

Annastasia and Lil-G came into view. Lily knew they were there, but she didn't turn around. I didn't run away like I wanted to. Annastasia seemed trustworthy to me. I touched Lily's shoulder and told her to turn around.

"Did you just need to blow off some steam? Or is something else bothering you?" Annastasia asked.

"Yes to both questions," she responded.

"Do you want to talk with her alone?" I asked Lily.

"Yes."

I walked away, leaving Lily alone with Bleu, Annastasia, and Lil-G.

I heard Lily telling Annastasia about her sibling issues. Then I ignored them and talked to the Oddish, Pidgey, and Caterpie I had become friends with. I also wondered if Lily planned on telling Annastasia who I was. Ever since that night when Michio had discovered us together, I decided that I wouldn't mind if Annastasia knew too. Lily said that she was to tell anyone, it would probably be Annastasia first.

I decided to go back to the gym and hide under the bleachers so that I could watch Misty's daughter battle.

XO

Things continued to get rough for Lily and her family.

Lily's great-grandparents, or great-aunt and uncle I suppose, passed away. Lily was somber for days and spent more time with Logan than with me. This made me a bit jealous and lonely but I realized that there were some things more important that our secret getaways.

Not long after hearing the news, we arrived at the Vermillion City Gym. That led up to another memorable day.

"The kids plan to battle the rest of the day," Lily said after I exited my Pokéball. " I won't be able to meet with you until nightfall."

I looked around. The forest wasn't very dense, but there was a stream and lots of hiding holes. I also noticed some wild Pokémon.

"I'll be here," I replied.

Lily left and caught up with her group. They were all going out to ice cream before heading over to the gym. She really wanted me to come, especially since her parents, both of whom spoke human, were going to be there. I wanted to go too.

I had to get over it.

Less than an hour after Lily left, I took off in a sprint in her direction. I was determined to not be afraid anymore.

"Riverside Park. I see the ice cream shop that has every flavor imaginable, but I don't see the kids or any of their Pokémon,' I thought. 'Did they leave already?'

I looked around for a while and came across two of the kids and a few Pokémon that I recognized from the group. They were sitting on a bench together and having what appeared to be a very awkward conversation. I tried to ignore them as I looked around for Lily, assuming she would be nearby.

"Do you know where Lily is?" I asked one of the girl's Pokémon.

"She and her brother are off somewhere together," said the Ivysaur. She pointed a vine westward. "I think they went that way."

"Thank you," I replied. "And congratulations on evolving."

"How did you know I just evolved?"

"Ohhhhh umm, I just meant in general. Since you're an Ivysaur, you must have evolved at some point, right?"

"Yeah…anyway, that's all I can tell you, but really Lily can be anywhere."

I also asked the boy's Cyndaquil, but he didn't know either. I thought about getting the kids' attention somehow. They seemed to have no idea I was even there though, and I didn't want to interrupt what seemed to be their first date. I left before they saw me.

By the time I found Lily, it was late in the day and she was surrounded by her family, friends, and who I assumed were acquaintances. I decided to wait until there were fewer people around to announce my existence.

Back at the Vermillion City Gym, I watched the boy called Takeshi, the same one I saw earlier at the park, battle the gym leader with his Vileplume. I was glad to see that as usual, his Pokémon seemed to really like battling. I liked these kids because they never made their Pokémon battle. The Pokémon always seemed to enjoy it. That is when it finally hit me: I liked, trusted, and wanted to meet these people.

Lily was sitting on a bench across from the bleachers I was hiding under. I came out from underneath them, but no one noticed because they were too busy watching the battle. I tapped Lily on the shoulder and gestured to the door. She followed me out.

"I am sorry to bother you, but you were busy with your family before. Can we talk now?" I asked.

"Of course," she replied. "What's up?"

"Can I come with you to the funeral, without the Pokéball?"

Lily stared at me, obviously perplexed. Then she smiled.

"Why would you want to do that?" she said.

"I figured if I stayed here, I would be bored and I would miss you. And I want to meet all your family and friends. I shouldn't be afraid of humans anymore."

"Are you sure?"

I started to wonder if maybe Lily didn't have confidence in me, or that she thought I was forcing myself to do something I didn't want to.

"Please?" I asked.

Lily's face lit up. "Of course, if you want to," she responded.

It was the best reaction I could hope for.

I instinctively purred and rubbed my head against hers, and she did the same until we both noticed that someone else was coming. It was Squirt Gun, the Squirtle that Lily and her brother Logan had befriended on the first day of their journey. Lily turned to face me again.

"Do you want to introduce yourself now?" she asked.

I decided that since Squirt Gun was a bit immature, I didn't want him to be the first one to know. I declined the offer. It was a bit too late though, as Squirt Gun had heard more of our conversation than I initially realized. He started asking Lily questions about me, and she once again introduced me as her girlfriend. After talking for a bit, I shook paws with Squirt Gun, who didn't seem at all disturbed that I was secretly following him and the rest of his group around for the last several weeks.

The only thing he seemed upset about was the fact that Annastasia and Michio found out about us before he did.

He returned to the gym, but I decided to stay outside.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" Lily asked.

"It was getting hot in there. Too much electricity," I responded.

Lily nodded then went back into the gym. A few minutes later her aunt and uncle came out. The woman, whose name was Jessie, was clearly irritated, while the other, James, appeared to be anxious about something. I decided to just watch them. James noticed me after a few seconds and walked up to me.

"Hi," I meowed once he got closer.

I looked up at him briefly then darted my eyes downward, smiling to myself. Lily was right about his eyes being perfect.

"Look, Jess, she is so sweet and adorable," said James, gesturing for her to join him, which she did.

He squatted down and pet me on the head. I purred with satisfaction and climbed onto his knee.

"How do you know she is sweet and adorable?" Jessie questioned, squatting down next to him. "She could've just told you to 'fuck off' in Meowth language and it would have sounded the same to you and me."

"I guess that is true," I giggled. James laughed too and continued to pet me, this time under my chin.

"And how do you know it's a girl?" Jessie asked.

"The ears," he said. "When I was little, Nanny and Pop-pop taught me how to tell the Pokémon genders apart just by looking at them. If you look closely you can notice slight differences in the ears. Our Meowth's is different. It really isn't noticeable in Lily though, since she is a Shiny and has a slightly different color scheme."

"True," I said, impressed by how much he understood about us.

"Yes, you really are sweet. Do you have a trainer? A home?"

Technically I did not, so I shook my head 'no'.

"If you want you can stay with my family," he suggested. "We have a nice home. And we are friends with a couple of Meowth. One is named Lily. She is a sweet little girl just like you. Do you know her? She is right near here."

"You have no idea!" I added an enthusiastic nod, hoping this would help him understand what I meant.

"Then you probably know that Lily can speak like a human. She can tell us what you want to say so that we can understand."

"You're right," I said.

James picked me up and continued to gently scratch the top up my head and under my chin. I was reminded of that warm, aura-related feeling I felt with Ash and Misty then later with Annastasia, Scarlett, and Michio.

They had to somehow be connected.

He and Jessie stood up and watched the battle from the window. I saw that Amber was declared the champion when an intense electric attack resulted in an equally intense double-knockout. Jessie pretended to gag, and James and I laughed. By now I had figured out their rivalry with the Ketchum family, especially when it came to their son Jay versus Misty's daughter Amber.

"That Pikachu came from Gary's lab too, and it too is just as strong if not stronger than the twerps", Jessie told James. "We're definitely going to find out where he gets those Pikachu from! But for now, I need a walk."

"Do you want me to come with you?" James asked. "You shouldn't go alone."

"James, you are doing it again. That thing."

"What thing?"

"What is he doing wrong?" I asked.

"The overprotective thing. I can take a fucking walk by myself. And it's for your own good because if you come I am just going to rant the whole time…and cry."

"Um okay…if you insisted, then I will just stay here with our new friend."

She gave James a sympathetic wave and then walked off.

"She isn't always like this, by the way. It's just…well it's a secret," James murmured. "But if you stick around for a while, you'll see."

James and I turned our attention back to the window. Now Soledad Oak, an eleven-year-old with brown and blue hair, was facing the electric-type Gym Leader.

"Soledad isn't doing as well as everyone expected," James confided.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Her parents were really good at what they did. And she did very well in school and was always very social, but in gym battles, she struggles. But I have a feeling she will find her way. She has a long time to figure it out."

"I think you are right, James."

He nodded, as if he understood me, and now I think that he did.

Five minutes later Soledad was defeated. She seemed really upset, and her friends were trying to comfort her. Meanwhile Jessie reunited with us.

"That was quick," said James.

"I wore the wrong shoes for walking," she responded. She started petting me too. "You're right James. This Meowth is really cute and sweet."

"Thank you," I said.

Lily exited the gym with her brother, Squirt Gun, and parents. I stiffened with nervousness.

"Who's dat Meowth?" Lily's dad asked James.

"Ask Lily," I answered, jumping out of James' arms. I didn't run though.

"Maya is my girlfriend," Lily announced.

"Really?" asked Jessie and James in unison.

"Since when?" asked Logan, seeming offended.

Lily's parents looked surprised.

"Like a girl-friend or a girlfriend?" Lucy asked.

"The second one, I think," Lily responded, blushing, though no one could tell because she had recently dyed her fur pink. I blushed too, but everyone seemed to be focusing on Lily at the moment.

"She was going to tell you when you were all together," Squirt Gun explained rather inadequately.

"Maya and I met in Cerulean City," said Lily.

"That is where I was living at the time," I added.

"And she came all this way just to find you again?" asked Logan.

"Yep," said Lily.

"Wow. I wish someone would do that for me."

"Actually, you don't understand," I responded—though I knew I totally would have gone to the ends of the Earth to find her if it was required for us to be together.

"What do you mean?"

"Maya and I have been together since Cerulean City," Lily clarified. "She's been following us since."

"No way!" Logan exclaimed. "How come no one noticed?"

"Because I was shy, I stayed hidden inside my old master's Pokéball. Lily carried it in her satchel. We would hang out at night." I explained.

"What is she saying?" asked James.

"Someone translate!" Jessie demanded.

"Maya ran away from her old master and took her empty Pokéball with her," said Lily. "She retreated to Cerulean City and spent a while there. Misty fed her and let her sleep at her house. We met one night while everyone was battling and we became friends, and then we became more than friends. She wanted to come with me but she was so scared of being around all the humans and she suggested that I carry her in the Pokéball during the day. But now she is less shy and wants to meet everyone."

"Why didn't you tell me?" said Logan, turning to his best friend Squirt Gun. "You couldn't trust me?"

"I just found out recently and Lily said not to tell anyone," he said defensively.

"I do trust you," said Lily. "But I want to have my own life. I don't want you to be involved with every detail of my existence, plus, I didn't think you would mind. I figured I would just tell you when I told everyone else."

"Lily loves you a lot," I added. "She thinks you're an awesome brother."

"Totally."

"Well…all that makes sense, I suppose," Logan responded. "You should be allowed to have secrets if you want to. And I'm happy for you."

"Ahem," said a shy voice from behind us.

We all turned around to see Benny, the youngest male human of the group.

"What's up?" asked Logan.

"Um, we are almost ready to go," he announced. "Everyone is just using the restrooms one last time before we get moving. They sent me to tell you."

"Excellent," said James. He looked at his watch. "The jet should be here any minute."

"Yous can introduce Maya to all yer friends on de way ta Pallet Town," Lily's father suggested. He held out his paw to me and we tapped. "Nice ta meet ya."

"And you too," I replied. "I think it's amazing that you can talk like a human."

He smiled at me then turned to Jessie and James. "Dis kid thinks I'm amazin—I love her already."

Lucy rolled her eyes. From then on I knew I would fit in perfectly with her family.

"There it is," said Squirt Gun, pointing upwards. "The jet."

Lily nudged me.

"Ready to fly first class?"

XO

The children were happy to meet me. I had already conversed with many of their Pokémon, but none of them knew about my connection with Lily. Logan was also very accepting, much to my relief. I was worried about him the most. As Lily's twin, he was closest to her. Also, I was part of the reason Lily was spending less time with him, which I knew made him upset.

One night in Pallet, before my rendezvous with Lily, I found Logan alone. I took advantage of the situation to strike up a private conversation.

"What's up?" he asked me as I approached.

"Can we talk?" I requested.

"Sure."

Logan and I walked down passed the Oak Lab so that we were adjacent to the large meadow that backed the property.

"I wanted to apologize for hiding from you," I said.

"It's okay. I suppose you had a pretty good reason. If I was nervous around humans I'd probably hide a lot too," he responded.

"I truly mean it when I say that Lily loves you a lot. She mentions you and told me stories about your times together."

"Good stories I hope."

"Mostly."

I chuckled, and he laughed back. We discussed mostly random things: facts about ourselves, growing-up stories, our favorite foods…I tried to focus on only positive things, but he picked up on how sad I was when I mentioned my parents and Rattata.

"I love them so much," I said. "I can't get over the idea of never seeing them again."

"I'm sorry about that," he said, putting back his ears. "I know it's not the same, but we can share our parents if you want."

"Thanks, Logan. You are a pretty cool cat."

"So are you."

Later when I met with Lily, I told her about my talk with Logan. We didn't discuss that conversation, instead, we talked about the future, and how good it felt to be in the present.


AN: Thank you for reading and please review if you can:)