I would have been done with this chapter much sooner, but something kept distracting me.
As some of you may have been able to guess from my name I love to play games. Recently I purchased The Sims 4, and I must say I love the game, so much in fact that I often found myself playing it for hours on end, even when I wanted to come and work on my stories. So if it seems like this chapter took a long time to finish then that's the reason. Now I can say that this won't happen again, but I think we all know it probably will.
Well, enough of that. On with the story!
Chapter 46: Top Cat
"Come on, Nikki! You can do it!" As Ash and Nikki continued on their way to Kamillia Town and Nikki's next Pokémon Contest they were constantly on the lookout for new Pokémon to add to their constantly growing team, which is what Nikki was attempting to do as she and Ninetails battled against a Persian they happened across.
"Use Flamethrower!" Nikki called. The Fox Pokémon inhaled deeply and spewed a massive flame at the Persian. However, the feline Pokémon nimbly jumped out of the way and lunged at Ninetails with his claw giving off a dark glow.
"He's using Night Slash!" Ash warned.
"Dodge that!" Nikki instructed. With little effort Ninetails easily dodged the initial attack, but failed to notice the follow-up slash and was struck hard from behind.
"Are you okay?" Nikki asked. Despite the shot she just took Ninetails was more than willing to keep going as she turned to face the Persian. With Ninetails still raring to go Nikki began thinking about how to combat the Persian.
"He's too fast to try and attack head-on. Somehow I'm going to have to find a way to get a surprise hit on him." Her thoughts were brought to an abrupt end when the Persian lunged at Ninetails, attempting to hit her with another Night Slash.
"Watch out!" Ash warned.
"Iron Tail!" Nikki shouted in a panic. Even though it was a move called out in desperation Ninetails managed to make it work as she whipped her tails around behind her and used the Iron Tail to create a makeshift shield behind her. The Persian could do nothing to avoid them and slammed into her tails. He wasn't hurt, but the sudden impact did leave him stunned.
"Now's your chance, Nikki! Go on the attack!" Ash urged.
"Use Energy Ball!" Nikki called. Not wanting to allow the Persian to get a second wind Ninetails shot an Energy Ball at him, striking him with the Grass type attack. Despite the solid hit the Persian refused to be defeated. He slowly rose to his feet and looked at Nikki and Ninetails as if he were telling them he wasn't done yet.
"He's a tough one," Nikki commented.
"(Indeed,)" Ninetails agreed.
"He'll make a great addition to our team," Nikki added. "Hit him with your best Flamethrower!" Ninetails inhaled deeply and spewed a powerful Flamethrower. The Persian ducked to the side and avoided a direct hit, but he was grazed by the attack. The slight hit was enough to down him once again, giving Nikki the opening she needed to attempt a capture.
"Okay, Poké Ball! Let's go!" she shouted, hurling the red-and-white sphere towards the Classy Cat Pokémon. The ball made contact and drew him inside. In the moments that followed the ball shook violently, indicating that the Persian was putting up a great struggle in an attempt to free himself.
"Please stay in, please stay in, please stay in," Nikki chanted. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a responding 'ping' sounded, signaling a successful capture.
"Yes! I caught a Persian!" Nikki cheered.
"Way to go, Nikki!" Ash shouted.
"(That was awesome!)" Pikachu praised.
"(Yeah, and we got a new friend,)" Buneary added.
"We sure did, and I couldn't have done it without your help, Ninetails. Thank you," Nikki said.
"(I'm always happy to help in any way I can,)" the Fox Pokémon responded. Nikki returned her to her Poké Ball for a well-deserved rest. She then picked up Persian's Poké Ball and called him out.
"How are you feeling?" she asked him.
"(A little sore, but otherwise fine,)" Persian replied.
"Well that's nothing a Potion won't cure," Nikki stated. She reached into her backpack and took out a Potion. She then approached Persian and knelt down next to him.
"This may sting a little," she warned. Persian nodded to tell her he understood. Nikki then began applying the Potion to his wounds. Just as Nikki said the Potion stung a bit, causing Persian to flinch momentarily, but he relaxed once the healing properties took effect. In no time at all the Classy Cat Pokémon was looking good as new.
"There, that should help you feel better," Nikki said.
"(It is. Thank you,)" Persian replied. Now that he was feeling better Nikki took a moment to scan him and see what moves he knew.
Persian's Known Moves: Fake Out, Night Slash, Iron Tail, Power Gem
"Those are some nice moves," Nikki commented. "I think you and I are going to get along just great."
"(I look forward to working together with you,)" Persian said. Nikki then returned him to his Poké Ball.
"Okay, let's get moving," she announced.
"Well, someone's feeling confident," Ash commented. Nikki looked at him with a smile on her face.
"What can I say? Catching a new Pokémon has a way of giving you confidence," she said. Ash just nodded in agreement as they group resumed their journey towards Kamillia Town and Nikki's next Pokémon Contest.
Further down the path the trio of Jessie, James and Meowth were making plans for the next time they encountered Ash and Nikki. Their recent string of failures not only left them demoralized but it also left their boss none too pleased, which only added to their growing list of concerns.
"We have to succeed this time. The very future of Team Rocket depends on it," Jessie declared.
"I think it's more like our future depends on it," Meowth corrected.
"Either way the future depends on us succeeding," Jessie said. "Now, who here has a plan?" She waited for a response, but James and Meowth remained silent.
"Oh come on! One of you has to have something!" Jessie shouted.
"I wish. Lately my idea tank has been looking a bit empty," James sighed.
"Well someone needs to come up with a plan," Jessie said.
"I don't see you thinking of anything," Meowth retorted.
"I shouldn't have to do everything!" Jessie snapped. Meowth was just about to respond when they heard voices, letting them know someone was approaching. They quickly found a hiding place and waited for whoever was coming their way. Moments later Ash and Nikki came into view.
"Well now, it would seem that Fate has delivered the twerps right to us," James commented.
"It would be a real shame to squander this opportunity," Jessie added.
"Then let's not," Meowth suggested. Despite not having a plan they saw this as a golden opportunity, and with that in mind they sprang from their hiding place and confronted Ash and Nikki.
"Aw man, not you three," Ash groaned.
"(And today was going so well too,)" Pikachu griped.
"And it will be even better for us once you hand over your Pokémon," Jessie declared.
"Not a chance!" Ash refused. "You ready, Nikki?"
"Sure am. This will give me the perfect opportunity to see how my new Pokémon does in battle," Nikki said.
"Did you hear that? The twerpette has a new Pokémon," James said.
"Then we'll have to make her new Pokémon our new Pokémon," Jessie stated. "Now, get them, Magcargo!"
"You too, Weezing!" Team Rocket's Pokémon appeared and awaited the arrival of their opponents.
"Buizel, I choose you!" Ash called.
"Okay, let's do this!" Nikki shouted. She and Ash hurled their Poké Balls. From Ash's came his Buizel while Nikki brought out her newly-caught Persian. As soon as Nikki's Pokémon appeared Meowth's eyes narrowed in anger.
"I wasn't expecting the twerpette to have a Persian," James commented.
"Either way he'll make a fine addition to the Team Rocket ranks," Jessie said.
"Then what are we waiting for?" James questioned. He and Jessie were about to give their commands when Meowth stopped them.
"The twerpette's Persian is mine," he announced. Both of his companions were surprised by his declaration.
"Are you sure?" James questioned, not sure if he had heard him right.
"You two just worry about the twerp's Buizel," Meowth said. Before they could question him further he lunged forward and began attacking Nikki's Persian with Fury Swipes.
"M-Meowth!" James called.
"Hey! Stay focused! We've still got that Buizel to worry about!" Jessie shouted. With Meowth battling Nikki's Persian that left Buizel in a two-on-one situation.
"Glalie, get out there and help Buizel!" Ash said, throwing out another Poké Ball. With the appearance of the Face Pokémon the sides were even.
"Magcargo, use Flamethrower!" Jessie ordered.
"Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!" James called.
"Glalie, dodge that Flamethrower use Ice Beam to block that Sludge Bomb! Buizel, use Aqua Jet on Magcargo!" Ash instructed. Glalie quickly floated upward, letting Magcargo's Flamethrower pass harmlessly beneath him. He then fired an Ice Beam at the incoming Sludge Bomb, effectively blocking the attack. The attack continued onward and struck Weezing, temporarily taking him out of the battle. This gave Buizel plenty of time to execute his attack. After enveloping himself in water he launched himself at high speed at Magcargo, striking the Lava Pokémon with a super-effective Aqua Jet.
"Good job, you two," Ash praised. While this was going on Meowth continued to battle Persian. However, Meowth was finding it difficult to land a hit on his evolved form. Persian's superior agility made it rather easy for him to dodge Meowth's attacks, which greatly frustrated the Scratch Cat Pokémon.
"Quit dodging and fight back!" Meowth demanded.
"(As you wish.)" In the blink of an eye Meowth found himself on the receiving end of an Iron Tail. As he attempted to recover from the attack Persian began charging up his next attack. A small orb began forming in front of him. Over time the orb grew in size until it was the size of the Classy Cat Pokémon's head. Once he felt it was big enough Persian let loose his Power Gem, blindsiding Meowth with the Rock type attack. Meowth was left reeling, but still standing. Persian decided to finish the battle with another Iron Tail, knocking Meowth down right at the feet of Jessie and James.
"Meowth!" James shouted.
"Come on, Meowth! You have to get back up!" Jessie urged. With the two of them distracted Ash took the opportunity to launch another attack.
"Buizel! Glalie! Ice Aqua Jet!" he called.
"Ice what?" Nikki wondered, having never heard of that attack before. Buizel and Glalie, however, knew exactly what to do. The Sea Weasel Pokémon once again enveloped himself in water and sped towards his opponents. At the same time Glalie fired an Ice Beam right at Buizel. Nikki had no idea what was going on, or why Glalie decided to attack Buizel, but soon she and her Pokémon were left in awe as the Ice Beam froze the water surrounding Buizel. What was even more amazing to her was the fact that, even though he was frozen solid from Glalie's Ice Beam Buizel still maintained his momentum. If anything he appeared to be moving even faster now.
"T-That's… incredible!" she gasped.
"Bring it home, Buizel!" Ash encouraged. Out of Team Rocket's two remaining Pokémon Buizel knew he'd have more luck damaging the Poison type Weezing as opposed to the Fire-and-Rock type Magcargo. With that in mind he took aim at the Poison Gas Pokémon, crashing into him. The impact shattered the ice encasing Buizel but also sent Weezing crashing into Magcargo, leaving them both down.
"Not you too!" Jessie shrieked.
"Okay, Pikachu! Let's send them on their way! Thunderbolt!" Before they could try and mount a counterattack Team Rocket felt themselves on the receiving end of an all too familiar Pikachu-inspired Thunderbolt blast-off.
"We're blasting off too soon!" they screamed as they vanished.
"And there they go," Ash commented. "Good job, everyone."
"You were all great out there," Nikki praised. The Pokémon all beamed with pride.
"Persian really handled himself well out there," Ash said. "He made that battle with Meowth look easy."
"(Despite his eagerness to battle he was a rather easy opponent,)" the Classy Cat Pokémon responded.
"Even so, you were impressive," Ash said.
"And speaking of impressive that combination attack that Buizel and Glalie pulled off was incredible. Just what was that?" Nikki wondered.
"You mean the Ice Aqua Jet? It was something I learned while I was in Sinnoh," Ash told her.
"If I ever get a Water type I'm going to have to try that one for myself," Nikki said. "Just how does it work?"
"It's all about the timing. You see…"
Miles away Team Rocket was in the process of recovering from yet another failed attempt to steal Ash and Nikki's Pokémon. Even though they suffered through another blast-off the worst injury they suffered was to their pride.
"Okay, so maybe challenging them like that was a bad idea," Jessie assumed.
"Agreed. We need to have a plan in place for the next time," James said.
"Well then, let's get planning." The two of them were about to begin coming up with a plan, but before the first idea popped into their heads they realized that Meowth had not joined them.
"Where do you suppose he is?" James wondered.
"He must be around here somewhere," Jessie replied. The two of them took a look around. Just as Jessie said Meowth was nearby, sitting on a large rock a few feet away from them.
"There you are, Meowth. James and I are about to start planning for our next encounter with the twerps," Jessie said. She waited for Meowth to say something, but after a few seconds of silence she began to wonder if he had even heard what she said.
"Meowth? Are you even listening to me?" she asked. Again she got no response from the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Not one to take being ignored lightly Jessie stomped around in front of the rock so she could look Meowth in his face.
"Hey! You had better start…" She stopped her rant once she saw the look on Meowth's face. His eyes were narrowed in anger, and his lips were curled into a snarl.
"M-Meowth? Are you okay?" Jessie inquired. By now James had joined her and was also surprised by the look on Meowth's face.
"What's the matter?" James asked. Again Meowth didn't answer them. Jessie and James were growing more and more concerned with each passing second of silence from Meowth. They were about to try speaking to him again when he suddenly stood up and took a few steps past them.
"What is it, Meowth?" Jessie asked, curious to know what made him suddenly stand up.
"The twerpette's Persian…" Meowth began.
"What about her Persian?" James wondered.
"I want to face him… one-on-one," Meowth declared. That was certainly not the response they were expecting. Still, they figured this was part of some plan Meowth had been thinking up in order to steal Ash and Nikki's Pokémon.
"I see where you're going with this," Jessie said. "You want to go head-to-head with the twerpette's Persian, and in the meantime James and I steal the rest of their Pokémon while they're distracted. Not a bad plan, Meowth."
"Indeed. With that plan it should make stealing the twerps' Pokémon easy as…"
"No! This isn't some grand scheme to steal their Pokémon," Meowth interrupted.
"What? Then, what is your plan?" Jessie inquired.
"There's no plan. I'm challenging the twerpette's Persian to a one-on-one battle, plain and simple," Meowth stated.
"But why? What do we have to gain from this?" James asked.
"I'm not doing this for Team Rocket. This is personal," Meowth said. "When we went at it with the twerps earlier that Persian defeated me by himself. The twerpette didn't even have to give him a single command. That was all him. For me that was like an insult." The more Jessie and James listened the more they realized that Meowth didn't just want this. He needed it.
"Okay, so how do you plan on getting the twerpette to accept your challenge?" Jessie wondered.
"Just let me take care of that," Meowth replied. In his mind there wasn't anything that was going to stop him from getting what he wanted, and what he wanted was Nikki's Persian.
Hours later, in a large clearing near a dirt path, Meowth waited for his opponent to arrive. The preparations were completed hours earlier. Tropius had been sent to deliver the challenge, and Nikki had accepted. Now all Meowth had to do was wait for them to arrive. Off to the side Jessie and James were discussing what was to happen.
"I hope Meowth knows what he's doing," James said. "Like he said the twerpette's Persian defeated him without any commands. That just means he's good at battling for himself."
"Even so Meowth won't stop until he sees this through," Jessie replied.
"But what if he loses again? Then what?" James asked.
"I don't know, James. I just don't know," Jessie told him. The duo went quiet after that as they awaited the arrival of Ash and Nikki. The wait wasn't a long one.
"They're here," Meowth announced. In the distance Ash and Nikki were seen approaching, and leading them was the one Pokémon Meowth was waiting for. His eyes narrowed as he watched Nikki's Persian take his place across form him.
"I didn't think you'd show up," Meowth commented.
"(I refuse to walk away from a challenge, no matter the opponent,)" Persian replied.
"In that case here's the challenge… you and me, one-on-one. No outside help, which means your trainer doesn't give you any commands. In response Jessie and James won't interfere either," Meowth explained.
"(Very well. I accept your terms.)"
"Are you sure about this, Persian?" Nikki asked. The Classy Cat Pokémon turned to her and nodded.
"(I am,)" he answered. He sounded so sure of himself that Nikki agreed to let him handle the battle on his own, much to the pleasure of Meowth. However…
"We'll be watching you two, so don't try anything," Ash warned.
"They won't try anything," Meowth said. "At least they better not."
"As badly as Meowth wants this there's no way we're going to screw this up for him. We're only here as spectators," Jessie replied. Because of their history with Team Rocket neither Ash nor Pikachu trusted them, but as long as they didn't try to pull anything during the battle they wouldn't have any reason to act.
"(Before we begin I must know… why? Why do you wish to battle me?)" Persian inquired. Before answering Meowth turned his eyes up to the sky.
"My entire life I've had to fight for everything I have. I've clawed and scraped for everything, and yet no matter how hard I worked I always found myself being upstaged by a Persian," he explained. "My first love was taken from me by a Persian. My spot at the Boss's side was taken from me by a Persian. Everything I've ever wanted has been taken from me by a Persian!" As he continued to speak he turned his gaze back to Persian, his eyes showing an intensity no one had seen from him before.
"You want to know why I want to battle you?! Because I want to show that I'm just as good as any Persian out there!" Meowth declared. As they listened Ash and Nikki began to feel sorry for him.
"I… I had no idea," Nikki said.
"Neither did I," Ash added.
"It's the one desire that drives him the most, even more than our collective desire to climb up the ranks in Team Rocket," Jessie explained. Out on the battlefield Persian seemed to take a moment to contemplate Meowth's explanation.
"(Is that your reason, a personal grudge against my species?)" he asked.
"It's all the reason I need," Meowth spat.
"(I see. Then it appears as though the time for talk has ended.)" Persian said.
"My thoughts exactly!" With a loud battle cry Meowth lunged forward, his claws extended as he prepared his Fury Swipes. In response Persian also lunged forward. As they neared each other Persian drew his right claw back in preparation for an attack. Meowth's gaze was temporarily drawn to that claw, giving Persian the opportunity he needed to strike Meowth with his left. The attack did little damage, but it did force Meowth to halt his own attack and back away.
"Meowth! What happened?!" Jessie shouted.
"That must have been Persian's Fake Out," Nikki commented. "If it hits it makes your opponent flinch, effectively canceling any attack they were about to use." By now Meowth had recovered and was looking none too pleased with what just transpired.
"Pretty sneaky, but don't think I'll fall for that again!" He charged forward again, still looking to make contact with his Fury Swipes. Since Fake Out is a move that only works at the beginning of a battle Persian knew it would be pointless to attempt it a second time. Instead he used the same tactic he used in their first encounter and used his superior speed and agility to dodge all of Meowth's attacks.
"Can't you do anything besides dodge?!" Meowth griped.
"(I assure you I am capable of doing much more than constantly dodging your attempted strikes,)" Persian responded. "(Allow me to demonstrate!)" Faster than Meowth's eyes could follow Persian spun around and struck him with an Iron Tail under his chin, sending the Scratch Cat Pokémon airborne. He then jumped into the air, spun his body around and struck Meowth with another Iron Tail, sending him crashing to the ground. Then, while still in the air, he formed an orb of Rock-type energy in front of him and fired it at Meowth. The Scratch Cat Pokémon barely had time to get to his feet before he was struck down by the Power Gem. After completing his series of attacks Persian landed gracefully on the ground and waited to see what Meowth would do next. To everyone's surprise Meowth slowly struggled back to his feet and glared at Persian.
"Come… on… I can… t-take… it…" he panted.
"(Why do you continue when it is clear you cannot defeat me?)" Persian inquired.
"As long… as I'm… s-still s-standing… then… I haven't… l-lost… yet…" Meowth replied. A sigh escaped Persian's mouth, for he knew what he would have to do.
"(Then it appears as though I must end our battle,)" he said. "(Just know I take no pleasure from what I'm about to do.)" In the blink of an eye Persian closed the distance between himself and Meowth. His quick burst of speed took Meowth by surprise, letting Persian prepare his final attack. He slashed at Meowth twice with his claws giving off a dark aura. The Night Slash scored critical damage, sapping the rest of Meowth's energy and sealing the victory for himself.
"Meowth!" Upon his defeat Jessie and James hurried to his side. Other than a few minor scrapes Meowth was unharmed, only exhausted. Persian, on the other hand, was completely unscathed.
"That was some impressive battling, Persian," Nikki praised.
"(Thank you, though I wish my opponent was a much better battler,)" he said.
"We'll be facing stronger opponents soon enough," Nikki promised.
"(I look forward to that time.)" With the battle over Nikki recalled Persian to his Poké Ball. She then turned her gaze to Team Rocket as they huddled over their fallen teammate.
"You know, I almost feel sorry for Meowth," she admitted.
"Me too," Ash agreed.
"(Who knew he felt that way about his own evolved form,)" Buneary commented.
"(It's not that uncommon. Most Pokémon develop an urge to prove themselves against their evolved forms,)" Pikachu explained.
"(Does that mean you feel the same way towards Raichu?)" Buneary asked.
"(Not really. I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to face a Raichu in battle, but I don't hate them or anything,)" Pikachu replied. While the two Pokémon talked Nikki came to a decision. She opened her backpack and reached in for something. Ash watched as she produced a berry.
"A Sitrus berry?" he inquired.
"Yeah. Even if they are our enemies I can't walk away without doing something for Meowth," she said. Ash simply nodded in approval as she got up and approached Team Rocket.
"Here," she said, handing James the berry. "Have Meowth eat that. It'll restore some of his strength."
"You're… helping him? Why?" Jessie wondered.
"Look, this doesn't mean I forgive you for all the headaches you've given us since you got here, but I'm not about to walk away when there's a Pokémon I can help. Blame it on my good nature," Nikki explained. Jessie and James were still confused, but figured it was best not to question her good motives any further. They thanked her for the berry before giving it to Meowth. While they helped him Nikki walked back to Ash and picked up her backpack.
"We should get going," she said.
"Yeah. I want to get to that Pokémon Center before it gets too late." The two of them and their Pokémon left, leaving Jessie and James alone with a slowly-recovering Meowth.
That night the trio of Jessie, James and Meowth were gathered around a small campfire. It had been hours since Meowth's defeat, but the incident was still fresh on the mind of the Scratch Cat Pokémon. He had barely spoken since recovering from the battle, which greatly worried his partners.
"Come on, old chum. You gave it your best shot," James said, trying to lift Meowth's spirits. "At least now you know what that Persian can do so you can be better prepared for the next battle."
"James is right. You can't let one defeat bring you down," Jessie added. "If at first you don't succeed, get up and try again." Meowth remained silent, making them wonder if he had even heard what they said.
"I hear ya." Jessie and James turned their gaze to Meowth, thankful to hear him speak.
"I get what you're saying, and you're right," Meowth said. "That Persian may have beaten me this time, but I'll get him the next."
"That's the spirit!" James cheered.
"Never give up!" Jessie added.
"I'm gonna bounce back from this and be even better than ever!" Meowth shouted. A round of cheers reverberated through the area as Team Rocket's spirits, and mood, were lifted to an all-time high.
Nikki's newly-caught Persian has proven to be a fine addition to the family, especially after defeating Meowth twice in battle. Now Nikki turns her attention to her upcoming Pokémon Contest in Kamillia Town, where she hopes to win her first ribbon. Can she do it? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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