Episode 156: On a Wingman and a Prayer

Meowth is staring off into the sky, watching as a cloud rolls by. He sighs with lament. He says somberly to himself, "I'm a cat of few needs, but there's something I need now…" He shakes his head in disappointment. "I only wish I knew what was missing…"

Nearby, Jessie and James are locked in a heated debate. James insists, "Come on, Jessie! The pitfall trap is foolproof!"

Jessie argues, "Except when it isn't! That's why we need to go with the snag-and-bag method!"

"Since when does running in and grabbing Pikachu ever work?"

"Just about as many times as the pitfall trap does!"

Meowth sighs again as he forces himself to look away from the lone cloud floating across the sky. He looks to his teammates and shakes his head in mock disapproval. "Where would you two lugs be without me?"

Jessie and James snap their heads to look at him. Jessie demands, "Do you have a better idea?"

James agrees with annoyance, "Yeah. I'm all ears."

Meowth crosses his arms smugly. "Let's look at the facts. The twerps are traveling through an open field. They'd see the camouflage over the pitfall in a heartbeat."

Jessie declares triumphantly, "Snag-and-bag it is!" She points at James. "Told you!"

Meowth shakes his head. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. The twerps would also see us running at them from a mile away."

Now it's James' turn to gloat. "Ha! I knew snag-and-bag wouldn't work!"

Meowth concludes, "So, the only viable option here is to sneak in from above and use the balloon to get the drop on them."

Jessie and James nod in reluctant agreement. Jessie comments, "That's a good point."

James admits, "I suppose that settles that argument."

Meowth laughs. "If I weren't here to play mediator, you two would be arguing your traps off all day."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are walking through a large open field, as Meowth mentioned. For now, things may seem a little boring for our heroes, but all it takes is one chance encounter to turn things around.

Ash and Pikachu are watching a Chipmunch that digging in the dirt nearby as they walk. They're startled when a Pokémon suddenly pounces at the Chipmunch.

The new Pokémon is small and catlike. Its body proportions and cuter features make it look more like a kitten than a cat. Its fur is a yellow-brown and its most striking feature is the two dagger-like fangs, which shine as if made out of metal, that protrude from either side of its mouth.

The Pokémon misses its target and the Chipmunch flees away quickly.

Ash gasps. "Woah! Guys, look at this Pokémon!"

Brock and Brenda are already looking. The Pokémon sits on the ground, licks one of its legs, then stares back at them.

Brenda asks, "What sort of Pokémon is that?"

Ash pulls out his Pokédex to find the answer. "Sapurr, the Saber-Tooth Pokémon and a Rock and Steel Combo-Type. This extinct Pokémon may have looked cute, but it was a fierce predator. The steel its fangs were composed of could cut through even rock with ease. Evolves into Catana at level 38."

Ash recoils with dismay. "Did it just say this Pokémon is extinct? As in no longer alive?"

Brock nods. "It did. Sapurr is a Pokémon that died out after the Ice Age ended."

Brenda remarks, "There's one problem with that theory, and it's sitting right there grooming itself."

The Pokémon looks up from its grooming and mews, "Saaaa." Then it gets up and runs away.

Ash pulls out a Pokéball and shouts, "I'm going to catch it!" He chases after it, forcing Brock and Brenda to chase after him in turn.

Up above in their balloon, Team Rocket is ready to swoop in. Meowth seems extremely distracted.

James questions, "Um… Meowth? We're waiting on your signal."

Meowth ignores him as he continues to stare off in the direction that Sapurr ran. Meowth eventually asks, "James…have I died and gone to heaven?"

James recoils. "Huh…?"

"Because I just saw an angel. Sapurr…" He says the name with lavish. He puts a hand over his chest. "Be still, my beating heart."

Jessie groans. "Oh no. Here we go again."

James points out nervously, "Hey…Meowth… I just want to remind you about Meowzie…and Skitty…and Glameow…"

Jessie adds after a stifled laugh, "And Purrloin."

Meowth suddenly swivels around and shouts, "We don't speak of that!"

Jessie asks tauntingly, "Of what? Purrloin?"

With blinding speed, Meowth slashes his claws across Jessie's face. He grabs her head from either side, leans in close, and emphasizes in a punctuated whisper, "We. Don't. Speak. Of. That." Meowth lets her go. As Jessie rubs the scratch marks on her face, Meowth turns away, pretends like the previous altercation never happened, and declares, "Today I—I mean we—will capture that Sapurr."

Jessie objects, "But what about Pikachu?"

James reluctantly admits, "As much I hate to get Meowth's hopes up, a prehistoric Pokémon would be good nab for us."

Jessie shrugs. "I guess so. Let's just hope that Meowth is actually assuming Sapurr's gender correctly this time. We wouldn't want another—"

She's interrupted by another claw to the face.

Ash shouts, "Here kitty kitty! Here Kitty!"

Brenda groans. "Ash, it's a prehistoric Pokémon thought to be extinct. It's not going to answer to that."

"Puuuurr?" Sapurr looks at them from atop a nearby boulder.

Brenda shrugs. "I guess weirder things have happened."

Ash holds up a Pokéball. "All right! Pokéball, go!" He throws the Pokéball, only to have it swatted aside by someone who suddenly appears.

"What do you think you're doing!?" A woman with dark tanned skin and rugged outdoor clothes stands before them with her hands on her hips.

Ash cranes his neck to see if Sapurr is still behind the woman. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm trying to catch that Pokémon."

The woman stares critically at him for a moment, then bursts out in laughter. "You wish to catch Little One? Ha! Then good luck with Mother!"

Ash is confused. "Mother?"

She steps aside and points to Sapurr. The Pokémon is rubbing its paw against its ear. "That one's mother. You wouldn't want to get on her bad side."

Brenda asks, "Is Sapurr your Pokémon?"

The woman laughs again. "Goodness no. But it is my friend." She grins at them. "Sorry, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Lizzy. I run a Pokémon nature preserve not too far from here. Little One and Mother liver there with me, but Little One likes to sneak away from Mother from time to time."

Brock greets, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lizzy. If you don't mind me asking, how did you come across an extinct Pokémon like Sapurr?"

Lizzy smiles. "How about you come with me to the preserve. I'll tell you the story on the way."

As Lizzy leads them to a log cabin on a hill overlooking a forest, she explains, "And after Little One and Mother were thawed from the ice, they needed a place to live. I knew my preserve would have everything they would need, as well as a safe space, so I volunteered to let them live here."

Ash marvels, "Wow, extinct Pokémon frozen in ice from millions of years ago." He looks back to Lizzy. "Sorry I tried to catch Sapurr."

Lizzy shrugs it off. "No biggie. I stopped you before you could do anything to upset Mother. That's all that matters."

Brenda asks, "Will we get to see this 'Mother?'"

Lizzy looks about. "I suspect she'll be about any time now to scold Little One for running off again."

Team Rocket is hiding just out of sight nearby. Jessie rubs her hands together. "A prehistoric Pokémon prime for plundering."

James comments, "I say this is the perfect opportunity for plan 52."

Jessie looks to James critically. "Plan 52? You want to dress up as plumbers?"

James nods. "Everybody loves plumbers. I even have little fake mustaches we can wear. Ya-hoo!"

Jessie continues to stare at him judgmentally. Then she shakes her head. "This is obviously the time for plan 79."

James bursts out laughing. "79!? Where would we even get that much toothpaste on such a short notice!?"

Jessie crosses her arms and asserts, "I have my methods."

"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet has appeared in the process of brushing its teeth.

While they continue to bicker over plan choice, Meowth takes the opportunity to sneak away. His attention is fully on Sapurr.

Brock asks Lizzy, "Sapurr has a great sheen on its coat. Do you care for it?"

Lizzy shakes her head. "Nope. I'm just the landlord. I— Hey! What are you doing!?"

She's shouting at Meowth, who's slowly and nervously approaching Sapurr.

Ash gasps. "It's Team Rocket! They're here to steal Sapurr!"

Meowth glares back at Ash and snaps, "Nothing so pedestrian today, Twerp."

Sapurr looks up at him and tilts its head with curiosity. "Purr?"

Meowth nearly stumbles. He takes a moment to gather his resolve, then holds out a bouquet of flowers as he proclaims, "Sapurr! I may be the thief here, but you've already stolen my heart! You're the love of my nine lives! Please! Be mine!"

Sapurr stares at Meowth with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Purr?"

Everybody watching gasps, except Lizzy, who shakes her head in disapproval. "This isn't going to end well. Nah ah."

Meowth can't bare to look Sapurr in the eyes as he holds out the flowers for Sapurr. Sapurr stares at him thoughtfully. It looks as if it might appreciate the gesture.

But then there's a loud growl. Meowth leaps into the air and drops the flowers at its sound.

Another Pokémon walks up from behind Sapurr. It's another feline Pokémon, but this one much larger and fiercer than Sapurr. Its body is lean and muscular, featuring a tan fur coat with darker spots. Rather than Sapurr's dagger-like fangs, it has two long, curved blades made of polished metal coming down from its upper jaw. The Pokémon growls at Meowth as it prowls closer and puts itself between Meowth and Sapurr.

Lizzy comments, "I knew Mother wasn't going to like that…"

Meowth's eyes widen. He gulps nervously. "Oh…you're…um…Sapurr's…mother… I…uh…I was hoping to…"

The Pokémon's mouth opens wide as it both shows its fangs and roars. Meowth leaps up and runs off faster than would seem possible.

Ash and Brenda laugh at Meowth misfortune, but Brock looks somewhat disappointed.

Ash looks over the Pokémon as he takes his Pokédex back out. "Catana, the Saber-Tooth Pokémon and a Rock and Steel Combo-Type. Its sword-like teeth made it an apex predator of the Ice Age. The first swords used by ancient people utilized discarded Catana fangs as the blade. Evolves from Sapurr at level 38."

Meowth is hiding behind a nearby tree. He's hyperventilating. "All nine lives…flashed before my eyes…" He dares a peak around the tree to see Sapurr. The sight seems to soothe him. "But I can't fight this feeling. I have to do whatever it takes." His view of Sapurr is blocked by Catana walking in front of it. Meowth winces. "Whatever it takes…"

Ash, Brenda, and Lizzy all continue to laugh at Meowth's mishap as Lizzy leads them somewhere. But Brock pauses and looks off in the direction of Meowth.

Meowth notices Brock pausing, and an idea occurs to him.

Who's That Pokémon!?

It can be found clinging to other Pokémon. It's soaking up static electricity because it can't produce a charge on its own.

Lizzy walks out onto the porch of her house carrying a tray with four cups and a pitcher of lemonade. Ash, Brock, and Brenda sit at a table on the porch. Ash and Brenda are transfixed on Sapurr and Catana. Sapurr is chasing an Apprentichick, while Catana basks in the sunlight with one eye open to watch Sapurr.

Lizzy announces, "Here's those refreshments I promised."

Ash grins. "Thanks, Lizzy! I'm parched." He eagerly takes a glass and pours it full.

Brock stands up. "You guys enjoy the lemonade. I have something I need to look into." With an acknowledgment from the others, he walks off.

As he's walking by the tree where he last spotted Meowth, he looks about. He takes a step forward and a noose ensnares his leg, snaps up, and pulls Brock up by his leg. He now hangs upside down suspended from the tree by a rope.

Meowth leaps out. "Ha! Got you, Dr. Twerp!"

Brock demands, "Meowth? What have you done?"

"Isn't it obvious? I captured you. Now you'll have no choice but to help me."

"Help you?"

"Yes. Help me." Meowth takes a deep breath. "Dr. Twerp…you're…experienced with…girls… Right…?"

Despite his situation, Brock smiles. "I'm a little more than experienced with them."

Meowth nods. "Exactly. I need you to—"

"To help you figure out a way to win Sapurr's heart while also not upsetting Catana?"

Meowth gasps. "How could you know!? Are you some sort of mind reader!? Get out of my head! I'll never let you read my mind deep enough to learn about that one time I—"

Brock cuts him off, "I really don't need to hear whatever it was you were about to say. No. I'm not a mind reader. I was there when you proclaimed your affection earlier. Remember?"

Meowth pauses. "Oh…right…"

"Look, Meowth, I feel for you. I've been shot down by girls more times than you could count. And I know that one of the biggest obstacles when it comes to courting any girl is her mother. And since I feel your pain, that's why I was looking for you. So I could offer my help."

Meowth gasps. "Really? A big old twerp like you would really help a lovesick cat like me?"

Brock nods. "Today, Meowth, we are as brothers. I'll be your wingman."

Meowth gets giddy. "I've never had a wingman before! What should we do first, wingman?"

Brock looks thoughtful. "Well…there's one important step we should take before trying anything else."

Meowth leans in eagerly. "Yes?"

"Cut me down. All the blood's rushing to my head and I'm starting to feel dizzy."

Meowth chuckles awkwardly. "Oh. Yeah. Right. That." He jumps up and uses his claws to sever the rope. Brock topples to the ground. "Okay. Now what?"

As Brock brushes himself off, he declares, "Now we win that Sapurr's heart and that Catana's approval!"

It's Joltik!

From out of sight, Meowth says with uncertainty, "Um…wingman…are you sure this is going to make a difference?"

Brock looks Meowth over closely. "Absolutely. All a mother really wants for her daughter is for her to find a man that can support her. Someone who's sturdy. Someone who she can always lean on."

"I don't disagree with that, but don't you think I should dress up as…I don't know…a businessman or something? Not…this…" Meowth beckons to himself. He's dressed as a stone pillar.

Brock considers this. "A businessman? They sit in an office all day. Barely any time to work out. They're going to be soft, not sturdy."

Meowth groans. "Why do I suddenly regret asking for your advice…?"

Brock grins. "Come on now. Has your wingman ever let you down before?"

Meowth is confused by the question. "Well…no…but you've never given me any adv—"

Brock pushes Meowth froward. "Exactly! I've never let you down before, and I'm not going to start now! So get in there, and show Catana that you can be the rock that her daughter needs!" He pauses. "Hmm…maybe a rock costume would have been better… Oh well! Too late now!"

Meowth sighs as he reluctantly walks into sight of Sapurr. He announces, "Sapurr!" The Pokémon looks up from its sunbathing to Meowth. It stares at him with curiosity. Meowth declares, "I'll be your rock! Your pillar! You can always depend on me! Lean on me when you're not strong! And I'll be your friend! I'll help you carry on!"

"Purr?" Sapurr seems unsure what to make of the situation.

There's a low growl. It takes everything Meowth's got to not jump in fright and run away. Instead, he stands firm, although nervously, as a growling Catana approaches him. He gulps. "You…um…see Mrs. Catana…I'm the type of guy who's…dependable…and…um…sturdy… I…I'll always…"

Catana roars as it brings a powerful paw down on Meowth and shreds through the costume with effortless ease. With its other paw, it smacks Meowth away. He crashes into a tree trunk next to Brock. He moans in pain.

Brock snaps his finger with frustration. "Shoot. I knew we should have opted for a costume made of actual rock. That wouldn't have shredded so easily."

Meowth moans incoherently, "We took that one for granite…"

Brock nods. "It's perfect. This one will work for sure. Hindsight's 20/20, and that last attempt was just plain silly."

"I still feel silly." Meowth is now dressed in a formal polo shirt with his fur atop his head combed neatly back. He carries an oversized bouquet. Contrasting his formal appearance, he also wears bandages as a result of his previous encounter with Catana. A spike of fur on top of his head springs back up into its usual position.

Brock licks his hand and uses the moisture to flatten the fur again. Meowth recoils in disgust. Brock doesn't notice. "Feeling silly is temporary. Love is forever. Besides, you're not silly, you're one hundred percent respectable. All a mother wants for her daughter is for her to find a respectable man."

Meowth objects, "I thought all she wanted was a sturdy man…"

"Who said that nonsense?"

Meowth eyes Brock but doesn't say another word on the topic. Instead, he beckons to the flowers and asks, "And these are for Sapurr?"

Brock shakes his head. "No. First impressions are everything. You'll be giving them to Catana to impress her with your thoughtfulness. It makes you even more respectful."

"First impressions? But this will be attempt three."

Brock shrugs. "I'm rounding down." He pushes Meowth forward. "Now get in there and show how respectable of a Pokémon you really are."

Meowth refocuses on Sapurr and nods. "Respectable. I can do respectable. I may be a villain, but villains can be respectable." He gathers his courage and walks forward once more to greet Sapurr.

As he approaches it, Meowth announces, "Sapurr! Good afternoon. I do trust you're doing well today. I just finished with all my chores around the house and thought it would be nice to pay you a visit."

As always, Sapurr just stares blankly at Meowth.

And a growl heralds the arrival of Catana.

Meowth suppresses an involuntary shiver and pivots about to face Catana, who is bearing its teeth. He bows respectfully and holds out the flowers. "Mrs. Catana, it's good to see you again. I brought these for you. I thought the red color would really go well with your—"

Catana knocks the flowers aside and bites down on Meowth's arms. It flails Meowth about in its mouth several times, then throws him aside.

Meowth crashes into the same tree. Brock clicks his tongue in disapproval as he shakes his head. "So close."

"In what world was that close…?"

"There's no way we fail this time!"

Meowth groans as he looks himself over. He's now dressed in a leather jacket and sunglasses, in addition to the cast and sling he now wears on one arm. "Dare I ask? How is a mother supposed to like this?"

Brock grins. "You see, that's the trick. She won't. But Sapurr will. Every girl secretly likes the bad boy. It brings out her repressed urges to act out. We've been going about this the wrong way. You play the part of the bad boy, and Sapurr will be running away from home with you, regardless of what Catana thinks. This way you don't need approval."

Meowth slowly nods. "Huh. That does make sense. And as a professional criminal, playing the bad boy comes naturally to me."

Brock stifles a laughter and says with sarcasm, "Right." He beckons. "Your chariot awaits, bad boy."

"My chariot…?" Brock is beckoning to a Meowth-sized motorcycle. "Where'd you get a motorcycle on such short notice!?"

"Did you doubt your wingman?"

Meowth laughs and hops on the custom chopper. He revs it a few times, then rides it over to Sapurr. In an obviously fake deep and gruff voice, Meowth says, "Hey there good looking. I was just riding by on my hog and couldn't help but notice that I've got room enough on here for two. What do you say? Want to cozy up close to me as we ride with nothing but the wind in our face and the open road ahead of us?"

Sapurr tilts its head. "Purr?"

"Now, I know you must be thinking right now about what your mother would think. But I say forget her! It's good to be bad."

"Purr." Sapurr's attention is on something behind Meowth.

There's a low growl. Meowth gulps nervously. Suddenly losing his bad boy act, he asks, "She's right behind me, isn't she?"

Sapurr nods. "Purr."

Meowth slowly looks over his shoulder to see Catana. Before he can gulp again, Catana slashes its fangs at Meowth's motorcycle. The vehicle is sent careening out of control. It crashes into the same tree, which is beginning to bear a Meowth-shaped indent.

Meowth objects weakly, "But I was b-b-b-b-bad…"

Brock laughs. "Bad to the broken bone."

Much of Meowth is now covered in a full body cast. But that cast is now covered over by a clown costume. Meowth complains, "I feel like a clown."

"That's because you are a clown! Studies say that the easiest way to break tension is with a joke! So, if you just dial the funny up to eleven, then Catana will have to accept you."

Meowth sighs. "Well…it can't get any worse." Given the casts on his legs, Meowth has to hobble away.

A split moment later, and he's been flung back against the tree with his clown costume ripped to shreds. The impact causes the body cast to shatter away.

Brock nods with mild amusement. "Huh. Go figure. Things got worse."

Meowth forces himself to get back up. "No more!"

Brock is taken aback. "No more!? But Meowth! The love of your life is sitting right over there! Your wingman has a new idea! This time we'll dress you up as Catana's favorite food and—"

"And get me eaten! No! You're a terrible wingman! No more! I'm done! I give up! Sapurr and I just weren't meant to be!" He storms off angrily.

Brock is stunned. "Terrible…wingman…?"

Meowth may have stormed out of sight, but once he starts wailing, it's easy for Brock to hear. "Sapuuuuuuurr! Why!? Why does this always happen to me!? Can't I ever be happy!?"

Brock looks down in shame. "I was a terrible wingman… I was so determined to help Meowth that I only hurt him…" He looks back up with sudden determination. "I need to make this up for him."

Jessie and James are still in a heated argument. James asserts, "Well, at least plan 5,952 isn't plan 1,237!"

Jessie shouts back, "Fine! You don't like plan 1,237? Then we'll do plan 784, and that's final!"

James scoffs, "784!? That's just 3,402, but with more cowboy hats!"

"No, it's plan 6,812, but with less peanut butter!"

"I already told you, the peanut butter is optional!"

"Then why not just use plan 784!?"

Brock interrupts their argument by clearing his throat. Jessie and James leap back in shock as they shout together, "Dr. Twerp!?"

Brock asks assertively, "Are you two finished?"

Jessie shakes her head. "No. Not even close."

James eyes him skeptically. "What are you doing here?"

Brock takes a deep breath. "I've come to ask for your help."

Jessie and James both burst out in laughter. Wobbuffet and Mime Jr. also join the hysterics. But they quickly realize Brock has a completely serious face.

James asks, "Wait…you weren't joking…?"

Brock nods. "Meowth needs your help. I promised to help him, and part of that means knowing when it's not I who can offer the help he needs. I think that only his two best friends can help him out of this one."

Jessie laughs some more. "Two best friends? Who are they?"

James smacks her. "Jessie! He means us! This is serious. Our friend needs us."

"Oh." She looks back to Brock. "What has Meowth gotten himself into this time? Let me guess. It has something to do with a certain lady Pokémon."

Brock nods. "Exactly. Tell me, why is finding love so important to him?"

James contemplates the question. "You know…I'm not really sure… This isn't the first time he's gotten so smitten…"

Brock says, "I suggest you two find out why. Only once you know why can you help him move past it. It's not healthy otherwise."

Jessie asks, "And we care, why…?"

James smacks her again.

"Sorry! What I meant to ask is you care why?"

"Because I am bound by my sacred position of wingman to help Meowth through the pain he now endures."

Jessie and James are both confused by the remark. They imagine Brock but with giant bird wings instead of arms. They look to each other and shrug with bewilderment.

Meowth is repeatedly banging his head against the trunk of the tree that he was sent crashing into so many times. He's shouting as he cries, "Stupid Meowth! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why would you ever think you could find love!? Stupid!" He stops just long enough to wail, "Sapuuuuuuuuuurr!" Then resumes his self-torment.

Jessie and James spy on him from a distance. James shakes his head in dismay. "It's worse than I feared. I've never seen the poor chap so absorbed in his own self-pity."

Jessie turns around and declares, "Yup. This is a lost cause if I've ever seen one. And I don't do lost causes."

James objects, "Then what do you call capturing Pikachu?"

Jessie pivots back around and rejoins James. "Touché. You got something in mind?"

James nods. "Dr. Twerp already told us what we need to do. We need to figure out why this is so important to Meowth. It's time for some psychoanalyzing."

Meowth sobs, "Sapurr, if only your mother would have accepted us! I would have treated you like the princess you are! Cruel fate! Why must you be so ruthless!? Why must you destroy me so!?"

"Vell, vell, vell, vat seems to be ze problem?" Meowth stops his head slamming to look up at Jessie and James standing next to him. They're dressed in the same psychologist costumes they wore to trick the town suffering from amnesia, complete with fake gray goatees and circular rimmed spectacles.

Meowth looks at them for only a moment before turning back and complaining, "Go away."

James asks in his fake accent, "And vhy vould ve do zat ven our patient needs our help?"

Jessie agrees, "Ve know zat vhat you vant is not vhat you need. We—I mean ve are…" She cancels the accent. "No. No more silly accents and pretenses." She grabs Meowth and forcefully turns him to face her. "Meowth, as your friends, we are here to help you through this crisis. Ve—I mean we—won't take no for an answer."

Meowth sighs. "Fine."

James gasps. "Wait, you're going to go along with this? But I had an entire list of arguments prepared."

"What would be the point? I know you two. You won't give up. So, let's just get this over with so I can go back to wallowing."

Jessie and James look to each other. They're unsure whether to be pleased or worried.

Jessie and James have had Meowth recline on a boulder that is oddly reminiscent of a therapy couch. Jessie has discarded her costume, but James still wears his. Jessie asks critically, "Is the costume really necessary anymore?"

James shrugs. "I don't know. It makes me feel official. I like it." He strokes the goatee. "What do you think, should I grow an actual beard?"

Jessie laughs at the thought. "As if the blue hair isn't bad enough. I do not want to see blue facial hair every day too."

James looks at her with surprise as he runs a hand over his scalp. "You don't like my hair color…?"

Jessie asserts, "We're not psychoanalyzing me right now, remember?"

"Right! Meowth!" He and Jessie both take seats across from Meowth. Adopting a more professional voice, James asks, "Meowth, I want you to think back to your first love. To Meowzie. Tell us. Why was finding love so important to you back then? Why was it so important that you forced yourself to learn to speak human and to walk on two legs?"

Meowth cringes. "Meowzie…those memories…they're painful…"

Jessie urges, "If you wish to free yourself from the pain of the present, you need to first confront the pain of the past."

James looks to Jessie with surprise. He's impressed. "Jessie...that's so…wise of you…"

Jessie grins pridefully. "It is, isn't it? I got it from a fortune cookie."

James sighs. "Well, regardless of the source of the wisdom, it's true enough. Meowth, you need to do this."

Meowth sighs. "Okay. Meowzie… When I first met Meowzie, I was a cat with nothing to his name. I had nothing and no one. But then I saw her…" Meowth gets carried blissfully away into the memory. "Seeing Meowzie made me feel like everything would be all right. For the first time in my memories…I felt like I could be safe…"

James prompts, "And why is that?"

Meowth pauses. "I…don't know…" He closes his eyes tightly as he tries to remember. "Even thinking about her now…she…she…she makes me remember…something…"

Jessie is intrigued. "Oh? What does she make you remember?"

"I…no…I don't know… Something from when I was a kitten…but what…?"

James encourages, "Come on, old bean. Just think back to your childhood—before you ran away to Hollywood. What is it that Meowzie reminded you of?"

Meowth's clenched face suddenly gives way. "I don't know. I can't remember that far back."

James slowly nods. "You must have blocked those memories."

Jessie asks, "Is there a way we can unblock them?"

James nods. "I think there is. It's time to try hypnosis." James pulls out a pocket watch on a chain. He lets the watch hang in front of Meowth's face. "Okay Meowth, I just need you to keep your eyes on the watch." He begins to swing the watch back and forth like a pendulum. "You are getting very sleepy."

Meowth repeats, "Sleepy…"

"You feel your eyelids beginning to droop."

"Droopy…" His eyes flutter.

"With every swing of the watch, you feel yourself that much more in a trance."

"Trance…"

"I will count down from ten, then snap my fingers. When I do, you will be in a complete hypnotic state."

"Hypnotic…"

"Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one…" He snaps his fingers and Meowth falls completely limp. "Meowth, can you hear me?"

Meowth answers slowly with no energy or emotion, "Yes…"

"Very good. Now Meowth, I need you to think back to your time at Camp Pokéhearst. Back to before you left to make it in Hollywood. Before you met Meowzie."

"Meowzie…" He stirs slightly at the mention of her name.

"That's right, Meowzie. What was it she reminded you of? Why did she make you feel safe?"

Meowth twitches again. "At Camp Pokéhearst… I was an abandoned stray… I…had no food…and I was always alone… But…no…that wasn't always true… Once I wasn't alone… There was…her…"

Jessie and James glance at each other excitedly. James asks, "Who was 'her?'"

"She…was another stray… She…was my first love… We may have both been on the brink of starvation…but we were on it together…"

"And what happened to her?"

"She…no… No…! She was…taken away…"

Jessie asks with worry, "Where did they take her?"

"She was…adopted…"

Jessie breathes a sigh of relief. "I thought you were going to say something worse."

Meowth continues, "I was happy for her…but I was also abandoned…I was alone…I had nobody…I needed her…I needed love…"

James nods. "It all makes sense now. Meowth places such an importance on falling in love because he's subconsciously seeking to replace the companion he lost as a child. But not even he could tell you that, because he repressed the traumatic memories of losing her." He looks at Meowth. "I'm so sorry…"

Jessie asks, "Can we do anything to help him?"

James nods. "We can. Meowth, I'm going to count back up to ten, then snap my fingers. When I do, you will wake up and realize that even if you don't find the love you desperately feel you need, that you don't actually need it so bad. So long as you have Jessie and I, you know that you will never be alone again. Sure, we may go hungry at times, just like you did at Camp Pokéhearst, but at least you'll have your two best friends, just like you had her back then. But unlike her, we'll always be there for you. You'll never have to worry about being alone or abandoned."

Jessie quickly adds, "Also, you'll do anything that Jessie tells you, because you know deep down inside that she deserves to be pampered in every way possible."

The suggestions causes Meowth to stir uncomfortably. James stares daggers at Jessie.

Jessie shrugs. "Could you expect me to pass up this opportunity?"

James shakes his head with disapproval and adds, "Forget what Jessie just said. Focus only on my suggestions." Meowth relaxes as Jessie crosses her arms and pouts at James. "One…two…three…four…five…six…seven…eight…nine…ten… Awake!" James snaps his fingers.

Meowth's eyes snap open. "Did it…work…?"

James grins at Meowth. "I think it did. Think back and you'll find that you have your memories again."

Meowth pauses. "You're right…I can remember now… But how does this help me…?"

James stands up. "It may not help you, but it helps Jessie and I. We now know why this is so important to you, and we're willing to help you get what you want."

Meowth's eyes widen as a tear appears in one. "You mean it? You'll help me get Sapurr?"

James nods. "We will."

Meowth stands. "Wow. You two are the best friends a Pokémon could ask for." He hugs them both. Jessie looks slightly uncomfortable with the hug, but she goes along with it.

Nearby, Brock is watching them from hiding. He grins and says to himself, "Wingman duties: fulfilled. Go get her, Meowth."

Jessie complains, "I feel silly."

Meowth grins. "As a questionably wise man once told me, feeling silly is temporary. Love is forever."

Jessie and James are both dressed in costumes designed to make them look like giant slabs of raw meat. James looks himself over. "I don't know, Jessie. I feel less silly than I do hungry right now…"

Meowth points out, "And don't forget, this was your idea, not mine."

Jessie pouts. "Don't remind me…"

James asserts, "Okay, Meowth. We'll distract Catana, then you go in there and sweep Sapurr off her feet."

Meowth nods. "You two are the best. Thank you."

Jessie points out, "Thank us after we've been mauled by the prehistoric predator."

Back at Lizzy's house, Ash and Brenda are still relaxing on her porch. Brock joins them grinning.

Ash points out, "You were gone a while."

Brock chuckles. "I had some business that needed taking care of. But I have a feeling it's all about to be wrapped up."

Brenda questions, "About to be?"

Before Brock can elaborate, Jessie shouts, "Prepare for trouble, cooked well done!"

James adds, "Make it double and serve me on a bun!"

Ash and Brenda spring up upon hearing Team Rocket, but then freeze when they see the meat costumes they're wearing.

"To protect the world from overcooking!"

"My! This meal is rather good looking!"

"To denounce the evils of sweet and sour!"

"Bake on high after coating in flour!"

"Scrumptious Jessie!"

"Mouthwatering James!"

"Team Rocket tastes better than ever before!"

"You will ask, 'please sir, may I have some more!'"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Wobbuffet is dressed as a drumstick, while Mime Jr. is dressed as chicken nugget.

Ash and Brenda have keeled over in laughter. Ash forces himself to ask through the hysterics, "What even is this!?"

Jessie snaps at him, "Quiet, Twerp! This isn't about you this time!"

James points at the approaching Catana. "This is about her!"

Ash shouts, "You won't steal Catana!"

Brock puts up an arm to block Ash from moving any further. "Just let this one play out."

"Huh?"

"Trust me."

Ash looks at him with confusion.

James shouts, "Yoo hoo! Catana! Look at me! I'm a big juicy steak! I even brought steak sauce!" He starts pouring a bottle of steak sauce over his costume.

Jessie adds, "I'm always irresistible, but to a carnivore such as yourself, that must be doubly true now! Come and get me!"

Catana roars and lunges at them. Jessie and James quickly flee and Catana pursues.

This leaves Sapurr alone. Meowth, not dressed in any ridiculous costume this time, approaches. He greets nervously, "Hi, Sapurr."

Brock pumps a fist. "Way to go, Meowth."

"Purr?"

Meowth takes a deep breath. "I know you saw me doing a lot of crazy things today but loves makes you crazy. So, call me crazy, but I love you, Sapurr. I don't care what your mother thinks. I'll do whatever it takes to win her over, if only you agree to be there to help me! Won't you please be my girlfriend?"

Sapurr stares at him for several moments. Meowth eagerly stares at it. Finally, Sapurr answers, "Sapurr purr sapurr. Sapuuuuuurr puuurr."

Meowth recoils back as his entire world seems to shatter around him. "What!? You're just not that interested in me!?"

"Sapurr purr."

Brock shakes his head as he clicks his tongue. "Oof. I know how that one feels."

Meowth groans as he hangs his head in sorrow.

Jessie and James shout together, "Meowth! Watch out!" They're still running from Catana. They're moving too fast to avoid Meowth. They run into him and stumble to the ground. Catana extends its claws for a Metal Claw and swipes them at Team Rocket. All three of them are caught in the attack and all three are sent rocketing upwards.

As they hurtle up, James asks eagerly, "So, Meowth? How'd it go? Did she say yes?"

Meowth has begun to calm down. "About as poorly as it could have. She was never into to me the way I was into her."

Jessie braces herself for more wailing from Meowth, but it never comes. "Meowth…are you okay with that…?"

Meowth slowly nods. "You know what? I think I am. Being up here, flying through the air with you two, my two best friends in world, reminds me that I don't need Sapurr to be happy. All I need are my friends."

James is touched by the sentiment. "Group hug!" He forces Jessie and Meowth into a smothering hug.

When James finally lets go, Jessie asks, "Hey Meowth, you think your wingtwerp friend will be able to catch us before we fall?" She imagines a flying Brock with wings plucking them out of the air."

Meowth chuckles. "Somehow, I doubt it. Which means…"

All three shout together, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off together!"

Nobody wants to be alone. Not even the bad guys. Love is important, but so too is friendship. So long as we keep good company, we're never actually alone.

To Be Continued…