Episode 25 - Third Time's A Charm

“Get in there, ya little twerp!”

A wide-shouldered man with disorganized lime green hair stood facing the wall of the prison cell and grumpily observed the pair of scrawny legs clad in grimy blue shorts that were kicking wildly ahead of him. The rest of the figure’s body had been somehow wedged firmly into the gap between the brickwork where an opening had been built as part of the local Police Station’s ventilation system, but the helpless victim of such an act was not at all pleased about his current circumstances.

“When I get out of this stupid vent…” came an infuriated snarl. “You’ll see so many stars you’ll think you’re at Cosma, Ivan!”

“Ah, shaddap,” the burly figure drawled, before slamming his fist against the trapped figure’s rear in an attempt to push him further down the vent. But all it succeeded in doing was making the target yell out in pain.

“Listen, stick bag,” a narrow-faced, pointy-nosed male snapped. “I dunno how we ended up in 'ere, but we gotta get out of ‘ere some ways, and the only way is if one of us goes through that vent and opens this cell from the other side.”

“You’re the smallest one out of all of us, Marvin” a woman with sleek auburn hair dressed in leather garments remarked in the relevant direction while pondering over what her companion had just said. It was true - following the unpredicted escape of the black cylinder's mysterious contents back in Takielian Town, she and the other Charizans had attempted a getaway. But things hadn't really added up - one moment the roaming entity from the cylinder had surrounded The Charizans, the next, they had found themselves trapped within the wall of someone's house in a place called Kalnya Town.

“That’s a lie!” the boy almost squeaked, breaking into the woman's thoughts. “You’re smaller than me, Althea!”

Naturally it hadn't been long before the residents of the house had called the Police and the gang was hauled into jail for their extensive list of crimes. The woman brushed a speck carelessly from her jacket as Ivan gave Marvin another mighty shove forward.

“Like I’m going to scuff my threads crawling through there” she muttered.

“I hate you!” Marvin bellowed. “Hate hate hate!” At this point Althea took one of her earrings and jabbed it into the struggling figure’s leg.

“If you don’t pipe down right now….” she hissed. “You’ll be finding this pin in a much more painful spot.” Marvin growled and cursed under his breath, but stopped struggling. Althea gave her blue-haired companion a sideways glance.

“What’s your problem, Sharky boy?”

“That kid’s taking his time” he grumbled. “If I had my lighter I’d make him hurry it up. And the name’s Shark, ya dim-witted- ”

“Eeeeee!”

The scream stunned the group into silence. Althea promptly gave Marvin another poke in the leg with the pointy end of her earring.

“Shut your face!” she hissed. “Otherwise you’ll have the law in ‘ere with their fire breathing mutts onto us.”

“Now what ya complaining about?” Shark exclaimed.

“I’m stuuuuck…” came a somewhat half-hearted whimper. Althea rolled her eyes but Ivan didn’t take the slightest bit of notice and continued pushing, while Marvin’s fractious complaints became louder

“ARGH!” he yelled. “ My head! Stop it, you stupid dolt! STOP IT! I can’t fit any more of me in here!"

Shark tilted his head slightly, an annoyed grimace creeping into view. He was certain he could hear the cluttered reverberations of several chairs from down the corridor; Marvin’s irresponsible ranting had most likely alerted the prison guards who would be dashing into view at any moment, Growlithes in tow.

“Leave ‘im” he ordered, waving his arm at the vent. All that could be seen now of Marvin was his ankles and feet, adorned with a pair of unkempt red and mucky white sneakers. Ivan turned away and slumped himself upon one of the narrow bed in the corner as Shark moved over to the far wall and leant upon it casually. Althea crouched nearest the bars and cleared her throat as the sounds of thick-soled boots and angry shouts grew louder.

“Oi!” the taller of the two guards cried out as he took in the situation. “What’cha think you’re doing?”

“We tried to stop him!” Althea exclaimed in the most convincingly concerned voice she could manage. The guard glared at her as he fumbled for the ring of keys he had strapped to his belt. It was more than obvious that he didn’t believe her story, and Shark’s stifled snickering wasn’t helping to make it look any more convincing.

“To think that the designers would create a ventilation system big enough for humans to crawl through…what an idiot” the other guard remarked, rolling his eyes and pointing his Growlithe in the direction of the cell doorway. He knew full well what the Charizans could do once the gate was opened and he was ready to blast the occupants within if any of them attempted to make a run for it. But no sooner had the first guard slid unfastened the lock and drew back the hinged bars, than a red and white sneaker hit his companion full on in the face.

“GETTEM!” Shark yelled, and tossed the other half of Marvin’s footwear at the eyes of the secondary guard’s canine accomplice. It made impact and as the targets struggled to regain their vision, Ivan leapt forward and snatched the Growlithe from the ground, placing it under his left arm while holding its body and muzzle tightly with the grip of his huge hands.

The first guard made a grab for Shark but the man swung round and delivered a nasty blow across his assailant’s face. Althea consequently added her own little piece of revenge by lifting up her heeled boot and plunging it just below the guard’s stomach. While the figure collapsed to the floor, eyes watering in agony, Ivan aimed the muzzle of the Growlithe with pinpoint precision, tore on the helpless Pokemon’s tail and unleashed a searing plume of flame over both guards before turning and sprinting down the corridor, Shark and Althea in hot pursuit.

A rather strange silence descended shortly after. Besides the obvious confused mutterings being emitted from the other cells on that particular prison floor and the weak moans of the charred bodies sprawled upon the tiles, a somewhat frightened voice could be heard from a boy trapped within his metallic confinement. They were longer the bold, overconfident youthful tones previously heard before; all this figure wanted to do now was go home and forget about the terrible mess he got himself into.

“Hello? Anyone out there?

… .. .. hello?

… .. ..I want my mum….”

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

After a night of reminiscence and reconnaissance, the travellers felt contented in the knowledge that the remaining two exiles were still alive and well. Part of them still bore anxiousness of their future welfare, but they tried to console themselves with the fact that, like them, Jenna and Kevin had been through a lot of scrapes and knew how to take of themselves.

Now the group had released their Pokémon and set off eastward once again on the route toward Nintencu City, the next place Caley intended to obtain a badge. Adam had asked why were the badges so important if Caley needed to go to Alia Summit so badly, but no one knew the answer. They had refrained from questioning Caley himself over the matter; after all, he looked far too happy to be reminded of the burden on his shoulders.

The trainer’s blue eyes were bright with the joy and excitement akin to a young child opening presents as he aimed his arm in various directions along the path. Every so often the Pokédex scanner on his wrist would give out a slight blip and the trainer would consequently read the information the device had picked up, out loud. After fifteen minutes of this, it was clear to see that some of the others were looking rather pained at this verbal commentary. James gave Errol a tired glance.

“He’s starting to sound like the twerp” he grumbled. Errol chuckled patiently.

“Don’t be silly, James. Caley’s jus’ enjoyin’ his new toy, dat’s all. Da novelty’ll wear off soon”

“I hope so” the man rolled his eyes. “I don’t think I can stand to hear the Pokédex reading of yet another Pidgey”

Errol shook his head and smiled slightly, but said no more. He could remember many a time when James would get out his entire bottle cap collection and explain where every single one came from, not to mention how valuable they were. It now seemed so ironic to hear him complaining about someone else doing something similar.

Half an hour later, the wanderers arrived in a place called Kalnya Town. At this point, Caley ceased his eager chattering and turned his mind to more important matters such as stocking up on supplies and purchasing a few items of warmer clothing since he and his friends would soon be wandering into colder territory. Of course the others wholeheartedly agreed, especially James who had most recently plastered himself against the window of a nearby bakery and was giving it a liberal coating with his own saliva.

“That chocolate éclair looks dreamy…” he burbled, the words somewhat marred by the fact part of his cheek was pressed upon the glass. Denise giggled as Rose blushed somewhat upon noticing the bemused expression of the baker upon the other side. She leant forward and pulled gently upon the man’s shoulders.

“Not now, James. We must pick up the more necessary items first.”

“But an éclair is necessary!” he complained, wandering from the window. “Its nutritional value is necessary for stopping me from wasting away!”

“What a dipwad. Like there’s any nutritional value in an éclair,” Adam rolled his eyebrows with a half-amused snort.

“You know nothing!” James snapped, turning on the boy. “I practically lived on éclairs and boiled rice back in my Intermediate days.”

“Yatta yatta” Adam waggled his hand as if he had some invisible sock puppet placed on the end of it. “You’re not doing yourself any favours with the ‘back in my day’ stuff. Makes you sound like an old gi-“

“Guys! Guys!” Rose exclaimed, as she noticed James’ eyebrow begin to twitch. “Please! We don’t need any inner-group tension…”

“Cooperation is the key to success” Denise relayed. “Isn’t that right, Rilly, Li?”

The two Pokémon grinned and nodded happily while Adam frowned in no particular direction.

“And yes, that does also apply when one cannot choose their team mates,” Rose concluded.

“Now let’s go and get those clothes before we’re caught up with.”

It wasn’t long before the majority of the travellers had discovered some new items of clothing to adorn themselves with. Caley and Adam stood outside the window while the others browsed inside the store - they had opted out of purchasing anything since neither of them could see anything wrong with what they were already wearing. Instead the trainer checked over Stian and Kota while Adam sat stroking Cyzel with a somewhat distant expression upon his face.

Errol was the first to leave, clad in a thickly lined high collar jacket in a shade of deep blue, an olive green sweater, a pair of jeans and some sturdy brown walking boots. Denise stepped out with a green pattern fleece pulled over her old blue crop top, consequently stopping to check the tracking device and stroke Rilly fondly on the top of his head while Li showed signs of approval. Rose then emerged, dressed from neck to ankle in a full length cerulean tinted body outfit trimmed with a little red sports coat and some knee-high boots.

“Now can we get some éclairs?” James persisted as he closed the shop door behind him. Rose grinned, flicking a speck from the man’s new cream walking jacket.

“Of course we can,” she replied, and led her lavender-haired companion toward the bakery they had passed previously. The others exchanged snickerings of amusement but Errol didn’t seem to be in on the joke. He bore a wooden, serious visage; standing a little distance apart from his companions he gazed down the street at the present human activity. Cory looked up and bit his lip as Errol gave a tiny sigh.

<This place is reminding you of Takielian, isn’t it> he murmured, putting his hands in his pockets. Errol nodded slowly.

“I jus’ remembered da goil who rescued me…” he replied in lowered tones. “Da one dat took my charm wit’out permission. And den I remembered how important dat charm was to me. Not because it reminds me of who I was, but because it revives da memories of who I knew.”

He picked up the object from around his neck, turned it over and ran a finger across the scratched letters engraved upon the surface. Those words from a person who sacrificed so much to give him new life, a new desire…the anger and desperate frustration in the marks was more than apparent. Errol turned his head away as that very same emotion arose again within him.

Why didn’t I stop dem? he snapped at himself. Why? I could have saved her!

<Errol?> Cory asked softly. The man swung round in partial alarm. <Do you want to talk about it?>

“No, kid” Errol shook his head. “I…I t’ink…

…I need ta be alone fer a while…”

Cory acknowledged, though with some upset. He hated to see his friend like this, but he and the others knew that sometimes being alone was all one could do when sorting out a problem nobody else can fix. So he let Errol wander into the distance without protest.

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

“Such a beautiful sky…”

The lone man sat and gazed up at the immaculately fluffed clouds that nestled amongst the massive blue expanse overhead. He sat, and stared, and gave out the occasional sad, dispirited sigh as he fondled the metallic sliver between his thumb and forefinger.

“Such a beautiful sky…” he repeated to the air. “An’ yet… its beauty is lost ta me…my heart aches. An’ wit’ dat ache all natural splendour is dulled. If only she was here wit’ me. Dis time I would try my utmost to keep her safe… no screwin’ up.”

He stood up and yelled out into nothingness, the expression on his face resembling something crossed between anger and desperation.

“Ya hear me? No screw-ups!”

The frustrated tone ebbed away as Errol stumbled back into a sitting position and hung his head. It was clear to see he was at a loss.

“I screwed up enough in my lifetime…” he murmured softly. “I need anudda chance…please?”

Errol flung his head up in alarm. A furred feline shape stood by the end of the wall the man had perched himself upon, an inquisitive glint in its rounded greenish eyes. The expression diminished into one of upset concern when it took note of the utterly pained despair streaked blatantly over Errol’s face.

<What’s wrong?>

“Oh, nuthin’, Sia” Errol replied in monotone, watching the Meowth skitter in front of him and leap atop the wall before arranging herself in a position of attentiveness. “Nuthin’ at all”

<That’s a fib> Sia sniffed, taking a quick glance at one of her claws.

“Very good” Errol muttered. He was none-too-pleased with having his private time infiltrated. “And I wish to t’ink about my loss alone”

<Nuh-uh> Sia shook her head. <I’m not leaving until you tell me what you’re missing>

Errol gritted his teeth slightly as Sia put on a pose that truly conveyed she meant business.

“Fine” he grumbled. “I’m feelin’ lovesick, is dat ok wit’ you?”

The Pokemon’s round eyes became even rounder still upon hearing this.

<You…are?>

“Yes!” Errol snapped. “I jus’ told ya I was!”

Sia gave out a slight awed gasp.

<Oh, Errol…> she cooed, reaching out a paw toward the man’s knee.

Errol paused for a moment, eyebrows raised, before realisation hit him. It came in the form of the words Cory had spoken not so long ago, back in Coalef.

Sia considers you as a lot more than a friend, he had stated. She’s in love with you

“Whoawhoawhoa,” the figure spluttered out loud, causing Sia to retract her arm in shock. “I never said nuttin’ about feelin’ dat way toward you.”

The Meowth froze in midair, eyes staring blankly through Errol in a tone of pure horror. But the man had not noticed.

“Dese feelins are resoived for a woman who’s lost to da winds right now. But I’ll fix dat. Wit’out a shadow of a doubt I’ll bring Gloria back ta me…”

Sia replied shakily, looking away. Her voice had grown very wobbly at this point. <I’m not good enough for you, am I?>

Errol raised a hand in partial defence.

“Hey, it’s not dat” he exclaimed. “Youse a great goil Sia. But we really don’t have dat much in common…an’ besides, we’re not exactly very compatible in da species department either, eh?”

At this point Sia had begun to shudder with a rising fury.

<So that’s what it comes down to!> she growled. <The old inadequacy ploy. You’re human now so you’re too good to love a lousy Meowth like me!>

“What?” Errol blurted with an expression of puzzlement. “Since when did I…?” The man’s sentence rapidly deteriorated into a strangled yelp as Sia thrust her paw at him and ripped the charm from around his neck in an outburst of anger.

<Well you won’t be needing this then!> she screeched, bitterly clasping the object upon its string. <You’re no Meowth! You’re just a… just a..

…just a stinkin’ human!>

And before Errol could utter another word, Sia threw the charm forcefully across the street. It skittered over the concrete surface of the road before making contact with the kerb on the opposite side and disappearing from view through the slats of a drainage grate. The Pokémon then turned and fled - her fractious sobs echoing into the distance as she ran as fast as she could, away from the one who had trampled upon her heart so carelessly.

Errol sat there in total silence. It took a moment or so for the situation to sink in, but when it did, the reaction was not a pretty one in the slightest. Several blocks away the travellers looked up in alarm from their meals as a long and agonised scream pierced the air, echoing between the buildings around them.

“What the…?” Adam spluttered, as James began to cough furiously on his sandwich. Caley gazed sternly in the direction the terrible noise had emanated from.

“That sounded like Errol!” he remarked, somewhat concerned.

“Oh my!” Denise exclaimed, leaping to her feet.

“He must be in terrible danger! We have to find him!”

Caley and his friends skidded to a halt a few feet from a slouched figure upon the pavement. Errol was kneeling, his shaking hands desperately clasping the edge of the kerb as he stared, barely moving, at the cavernous black space between the steel bars of the drainage grate.

“What is that weirdo doing now?” Adam muttered bluntly, curling his lip in some disgust. James smacked the adolescent across the back of the head before approaching his petrified-looking companion.

“Errol?” he inquired softly. “Are you ok, buddy?”

There was no answer. Errol’s countenance had almost practically solidified; the only movement being the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he took in quick, anxious breaths of air. James leant down; a sudden mixture of troubled fear had overcome his face.

“Errol?” he persisted. “Errol, speak to me! Please? Say something…anything!”

The others craned their necks in puzzled worry as the corner of Errol’s mouth began to tremble.

“…owth…” he said. James raised an eyebrow.

“What was that?”

A solitary tear slid down Errol’s cheek; his final plea escaping into the air in the form of a miserably lost sigh.

“Meeeeeeeowwwwwwth…”

James’ eyes grew round with an onset of horror. Without a thought he grabbed Errol by the shoulders and began shaking him in a panic.

“This is bad” Rose murmured. “Very very bad. Errol’s gone into deep shock… I can’t think of anything else that could suddenly cause him to start speaking in such a way.”

“Why not?” Adam asked. “He did used to be a Meowth after all… ain’t he entitled to talk like that if he wants?”

“That’s the thing,” Rose exclaimed. “He wouldn’t want to! He hasn’t spoken like that since… since before I met him!”

“Since before I met him, even!” James whimpered, releasing his hold on his frightfully inactive companion.

“He’s lost something” Caley relayed. “I can feel it.”

Cyzel looked around, his brow suddenly furrowed in thought. He had become aware of the disappearance of a certain feline Pokémon not long before his human friends had been drawn to Errol’s side; now he was beginning to ponder over the possible connection between Sia vanishing and Errol being in the state that he was.

“…lost?” Once again that distant expression had appeared upon Adam’s face. This time it was mixed with a definite streak of concern. James patted Errol upon the back half-heartedly, then jerked his head upward, eyes widening.

“Oh no…”

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

<Sia?>

Cyzel approached the shivering bundle of fur with much cautiousness. He had detached himself from the group while they had been currently ensconced in consuming lunch and after several minutes of tracking he had finally discovered the Meowth crouching amongst a bundle of black garbage bags in a grubby little alleyway, paws clasping at her face.

<Sia…> the Cyameez purred, the majority of worry disappearing from his tone at that point. <What on earth are you doing down here?>

<I…I..I’m where I belong!> the creamy shape juddered with its fitful sobbing. <Wi-with the tr-trash!>

Cyzel frowned sternly, but Sia did not see it.

<He hates me…> she continued brokenly. <He hates me all because I’m just a Meowth!>

<Just a Meowth?> Cyzel spluttered, somewhat offended. <Who dared utter such an insult about you? Who?>

Sia attempted to reply, but the words were drowned out with further sobbing. Cyzel approached before raising a paw and placing it carefully upon Sia’s narrow shoulder.

<Listen> he began. <You are not trash. You never have been. And just because it so happens that some creep decides to set his narrow-minded opinions on you doesn’t mean your status has suddenly changed. You are still a significant part of our team. Not only that, you’re a very special Pokémon too…>

It was at this point that Sia’s sorrowful cries seemed to ebb away. She looked up at Cyzel, her furry face somewhat matted with her tears.

<Thank you Cyzel> she murmured. <Thank you for believing in me. I should believe in me too, not rely on what others think>

Cyzel’s tail twitched nervously as he struggled to find a place to look.

<It was n-nothing, really> he stammered. <I-I meant what I s-said> Sia giggled as her taller companion attempted to compose himself. <Now. We really should be getting back to the others…>

<NO!>

Cyzel jumped in alarm. Sia was standing beside him clutching at his foreleg, the painful expression in her eyes returning.

<No?> he inquired in puzzlement. The Meowth slowly released her grip before falling back and staring at the floor below.

<You go if you want> she replied softly. <But I can’t. They’ll never forgive me>

<What do you mean?> Cyzel spluttered. He was beginning to look rather upset himself. <Forgive you? What have you don….?

….wait…no…it wasn’t…>

<That’s right> Sia acknowledged miserably.

Cyzel pulled a face. But Sia hadn’t finished yet.

<I tell him how I feel and he had to go and take my adorations for him, stamp on them and cast them back at me!

He’s no friend! He’s a selfish, human-obsessed oaf! He doesn’t deserve to own that charm any more!>

There descended a cold, tenacious silence. Cyzel thought over this situation deeply. His gut reaction would have been to dash straight back to the travellers and give Errol a good hiding for upsetting the one he cared so deeply for, but the rational part of him persuaded Cyzel to stay put. He was somewhat astounded at how Errol could pass over such a beautifully well-meaning Meowth such as Sia, but his common sense told him that though the mental part of Errol was pretty much unchanged his physical body was 97% human, and so he was most certainly inclined to become attracted toward human females, and not Pokémon. It was most likely, knowing Errol’s bluntness, that the guy had blurted out this fact to Sia without composing it in a manner that wouldn’t hit her so hard, and in the process had caused Sia to feel inadequate.

Cyzel knew deep inside she was far from inadequate. All of a sudden there was a tugging within him, an urge to tell Sia how he felt about her.

<Sia, I…> he murmured, not at all sure how to transmit this feeling. The Meowth looked up, her furious expression softening slightly.

The figure almost reeled back in a faint. Suddenly that voice seemed all the more sweeter to his ears.

<Sia, I…> he tried again, but sputtered out. Sia placed a paw to Cyzel’s face to straighten one of the Cyameez’s whiskers, making him shudder somewhat.

<If you think what you’re going to tell me will hurt me…> she began. <Don’t worry about it. It’s most likely some advice I need to hear. I’m probably being irrational over this, right>

<N-no!> Cyzel exclaimed. <Not at all! You have a valid right to feel the way you do, after all I know how tactless Errol can be with his words sometimes>

<You’re telling me> Sia muttered, looking away.

<But it doesn’t mean you should throw his most precious possession away just because you don’t think he deserves it.> her companion insisted. <The fact is, he does deserve it. He’s been through more perilous scrapes and emotional turmoil than we can imagine. That charm is a symbol to him - it reminds him that everything he went through wasn’t just some torrid, awful dream. It really happened. And he came through it all…

…in a way that charm is his medal of bravery>

Sia’s eyes widened. Realisation was definitely beginning to sink in, but Cyzel hadn’t finished yet.

he remarked soothingly. <And I know that Errol probably didn’t explain of his new human preferences in the best way that he could. But that doesn’t make you any less of a Meowth. You’re the best kind of Meowth. A kind with generosity, perseverance and consideration. A kind who wouldn’t think twice to help her fellow friends. And Errol sees that. He truly appreciates you as a friend, Sia…and so do I>

Cyzel could feel that urge welling up again, but it was promptly shattered by the sounds of his companion’s panicked tears as she blubbered into his fur.

<What have I done…> she spluttered. <What have I done?>

<Nothing we can’t fix> Cyzel replied in the calmest manner he could manage. But Sia wasn’t listening.

Sia wailed. <How could I be so thoughtless?>

<Errol doesn’t hate you> Cyzel persisted. <He’s in shock. Losing his charm has pretty much turned him catatonic>

Sia promptly leapt into a regimental standing position upon hearing this.

<Then we must get it back!> she announced. <We must get it back now!>

<That’s all well and good> Cyzel nodded. <But I think we’d better go and tell the others where we goin->

<No!> Sia cut in hurriedly. <We mustn’t. I want to bring back Errol’s charm with my apology>

<Charmless, is ‘e?>

This rather harsh voice was consequently backed up with a cluster of ungracious guffawing. Cyzel looked up with a grumpy snort as Sia tried to figure out where the voice had come from. After a moment of searching the feline duo discovered it had emerged from a dirty-looking purple head decorated with some mangled whiskers and large buck teeth that had been observing them from the ledge above.

<What do you want, eavesdropper?> Cyzel snapped.

<Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners?> Sia inquired in similar tones. The Rattata snickered at this.

<Muvva?> he remarked, sliding down the drainpipe to the gravel below. <Don’t rememba muvva. She wuz killed by ‘uman before I was ‘atched. Bin livin’ wif these guys all me life>

He waved a paw up at the ledge he had emerged from and the countenances of a Linoone, a Bidoof and a Purugly appeared.

<Oh…> Sia trailed off guiltily. <I’m sorry>

<Don’ worry ‘bout it> the Rattata shrugged.

<Hermione> the Linoone remarked in surprisingly well-spoken tones as she descended. A moment later, the Bidoof toppled from the ledge before hitting the ground in a most ungainly manner.

<I’m Jigger, I’m Jigger, yeah> he babbled excitedly, picking himself up. The Purugly arrived last, a lot more gracefully than his companion.

<Cyzel> the Cyameez replied respectfully.

<I’m Sia> the Meowth followed.

There was a somewhat amused pause.

<Why d’ya wanna go there fer?> Nor inquired with a wrinkling of the nose. <Not the classiest place fer a date, is it?>

Cyzel looked most embarrassed as the unkempt group broke into chuckles once again. But Sia held herself purposefully.

<Seriously though> Hermione continued. <Why do you want to go there? I mean it’s infested with horrible Grimers and Muks!>

<Yeah!> Jigger cut in. <And it’s stinky and smelly and cruddy and poopy and..>

At this point he got a clout round the ear from one of Reg’s paws.

<We get the point, Jig’> he grunted.

<Sorreeee….> the Bidoof whimpered.

Sia replied. <But something’s lost down there and we gotta get it back. It’s very important>

<What’cha lose there, hun?> Hermione questioned curiously. Sia hung her head slightly.

<That figas> Nor remarked. <A Meowf wiv no charm is a sad Meowf indeed>

<Indeed…> Sia nodded with a sigh. She decided it best not to tell the gang that this particular Meowth was no longer in a feline state of body; they didn’t seem like they would be too inclined to help if they discovered Errol was now human.

<Well, since yer so determined an’ all> Nor grinned. <I’ll take yas to the main entrance meself. But I ain’t goin in; those toxic Pokémon are by no means tha friendly types>

<We understand> Cyzel replied with a sideward glance at Sia. <Thanks for your help>

<It was nice meeting you all> Sia waved to the remainder of the figures who happily returned the gesture.

<If you’re passing again, feel free to drop in, darlings> Hermione cooed.

Jigger muttered, rubbing the spot on his back where he had landed a few moments earlier.

<See you around> Reg acknowledged, and the trio vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

<Right> Nor stated, with a flick of the tail. <The entrance is just a mile or so from ‘ere. Shouldn’t take long if we use tha back streets.

This way>

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

“Oh no…”

“What?” came the unanimous reaction. James pointed to the an empty spot just below Errol’s neckline.

“It’s gone” he whispered. Denise and Rose withdrew a shocked gasp.

“But…” Denise began softly. “But that charm means everything to him…”

“He must be heartbroken” Rose concluded in sorrowful tones. James nodded slowly.

“This isn’t the first time it’s happened” he remarked. “Errol lost his charm back in Kanto when we were still in the Rocket business. And seeing the way he reacted then wasn’t pretty. This is much worse.”

“Judging from his position,” Caley began. “The charm must have somehow dropped through that drainage grate and landed in the sewer system.”

There arose a variety of assorted disgusted noises at this but James stood up vigilantly.

“We must go down there and get it back!” he announced. “For the sake of my friend’s sanity!”

“And how’d you figure we’re going to do that?” Adam inquired snappily. He didn’t fancy the idea of trudging through miles of untreated waste one bit, and neither did the others by the expressions upon their faces. James paused. It was apparent that he hadn’t worked out anything other than the notion of retrieving Errol’s precious object. Then Cory put up a hand before pointing it at the grate.

“You’re going to go down there?” Rose inquired, studying the boy’s expression. Cory nodded. No one else felt inclined to protest; after all they certainly didn’t want to explore a putridly foul network of tunnels. Soon the group was busy creating a makeshift harness from a few pieces of equipment salvaged from Caley’s bag, then promptly attaching it to Cory. With a little ingenuity and some assistance on Li's part, Denise and James were able to pry the sewage grate open enough for the Copi to slide through. He took a deep breath and the others watched, as with a noise that sounded somewhat like jelly working loose from the bottom of an upturned bowl, he slid neatly through the gap, and was gone.

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

“Tell me again…” echoed Shark’s unimpressed tone from the darkness. “Why in the name of Taj are we trekking through the Tattoan sewage system?”

“We’re applying a little tactic known as ‘avoiding detection’, you pleb” Althea muttered, swinging round and shining the beam from the flashlight she had ‘borrowed’ earlier directly into the man’s face. “The fuzz won’t think of looking for us down here; this way we can get to Trancia Port and the freedom beyond without being caught out.”

“Trancia, eh?” Shark commented. “Is that where we’ve been walkin’ to all this time?”

“We’ll of course we have!” the woman snapped. “Where did you think we were going?”

“Dunno” her companion shrugged. “Far as I can tell, we could be goin’ anywhere. What with the fact of having no map, an‘ all”

It was at this point Althea slowed to an unsteady halt, Ivan almost tripping over her as she did so and glaring consequently down the back of her neck. Shark gave an over-emphasised sigh.

“You don’t know where we’re going…do you?”

“Um…uh…” the figure stammered, the flashlight beginning to shake slightly in her hands upon sight of Ivan’s intensely disapproving expression.

“For all you know, we could be halfway to the northern territories by now,” Shark continued, clearly enjoying the woman’s discomfort.

“Shut up!” Althea yelled out. “You couldn’t exactly do any better!”

“Oh really?” Shark replied sarcastically. “At least I would have the sense to get a map!”

Even in the dark, the sharp rise in Althea’s humiliated fury was easily noticeable.

“Fine!” she exploded. “You wanna lead the way, Mr. Geography? Then go on! Take it, scuzzbag!”

The last sentence was promptly followed by a swift burst of light as Althea tossed the torch in Shark’s direction. It hit him in the middle of the forehead, causing him to stagger backward. All of a sudden both him and the torch had vanished from sight. Althea gave a strangled gasp as Shark’s angry cursing reverberated into the distance, the glow from the torch just managing to illuminate the rim of the pipe he had tumbled into.

“Come back with that, you creep!” she exclaimed in a panic, clambering into the pipe.

“We need it to see where we’re go-

…iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!”

Ivan stood there silently as Althea’s feet slipped from under her and she slid downward into the concrete tubing. After a few seconds of listening to the woman’s diminishing complaints about her clothes getting caked in muck, the burly figure grunted to himself before following suit.

“Great work, bitchyena” Shark muttered, grinding his teeth as the figure next to him spluttered tried to wring out her hair. “Now you got us even more lost”

Althea glared at the man with an expression that truly conveyed if he said another word that she would personally rip his eyeballs from their sockets and jam them into his mouth - at which point Shark decided it best to fall silent. Upon looking around, Althea managed to relocate the torch. It had become lodged in a wide crack and upon viciously extracting the object, the figures were able to pick out their surroundings. It seemed that they had tumbled into a large water processing chamber, more spacious than the previous passages they had been trudging through and banked by a fairly wide ledge.

“Hmm…” the woman sniffed displeasedly as Ivan emerged from the pipe behind her. “There’s got to be a way to the surface. We need to get our bearings.”

“Maybe we should just wait and see where that Pokémon came from?” Shark pointed bluntly. Althea jerked her head and the torch upward and it lit upon the crouched shiny, purplish feline figure, bathing it in an ominous white glow. It froze in its tracks, seemingly paralysed by the aura that was focused upon it.

“Now look what ya done!” Shark snapped. “Ya gone and petrified the thing!”

“No…” Althea murmured with an unusual tone of puzzlement and anticipation in her voice. “I think it…it looks like it’s trying to fight something…”

“Whaddya mean?” Shark grunted.

“Can’t you see?” Althea replied like it was obvious

“Look at that Pokémon's expression!”

Cory’s face was indeed contorting with what looked to be an onset of determination as it shuddered in the torchlight. Before the very eyes of the watching trio, the Pokémon began to stretch upward, as if being pulled at by some invisible hand. Details began to emerge upon the surface of its plum-coloured skin - lines and folds of what appeared to be articles of clothing, in fact. Its ears retracted as atop the head there sprouted a rapid growth of golden hair. Staggering forward upon his now lengthened limbs, Cory clasped at his head with his hands as the final features of his borrowed humanity egressed, and looked back at the Charizans, his expression now a mixture of hatred and humiliation.

“Well I never…” Shark muttered in monotone. “It’s one of those kids from Takielian Town!”

“Only he’s no kid” Althea commented, raising her eyebrows. “This is getting…interesting…”

“He’s gone an followed us!” Shark spluttered, somewhat disgustedly.

“I don’t think so,” Althea remarked, eyeing the boy carefully. “Looks like he was searching for something.”

Upon saying this she moved the beam downward and a flicker of light reflected back at them from between Cory’s hands. Shark’s eyes widened as a rather sickly grin spread across Ivan’s face.

“Wowza!” he exclaimed loudly. “That is some medallion he’s got there! Think of the dough we could get if we sold it off!”

“That’s not the most important part...” Althea smiled nastily.

“This thing is our perfect ticket out of here.”

Cory’s eyes narrowed upon being referred to as a ‘thing’, but Shark and Althea were too busy plotting between themselves. He looked for his escape route but it had been craftily blocked by Ivan’s wide-shouldered form while the man eyed the shorter, ganglier figure slyly.

“How can that help us?” Shark inquired with a frown.

“Easy” Althea smirked. “If that Pokémon can become human, then it surely has a human voice box too, right?”

“I don’t get it” Shark mumbled grumpily. “Listen, pea brain” Althea groaned.

“If it can understand Pokémon and speak human talk then we can get that creature to translate for us!”

“And that will help us, how?” the man persisted. Althea gave him a thump round the back of the head.

“This crummy sewer is practically infested with Pokémon” she explained. “They know the system inside out! They’re the perfect targets to ask directions from!”

“Ohhhhh…” Shark nodded, rubbing the sore spot. “Hey, that’s a pretty good plan”

“I know” Althea grinned smartly, stepping forward with the torch shining directly in Cory’s face. “Right then. You give us what we want and we won’t harm a hair on your mutated head…fair deal?”

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

<Ere we go> Nor remarked, waving a foreleg upward at the huge cylindrical opening with a slight snort of contempt as he did so. <This is as far as I’m walkin’. You’re on yer own now>

<Thank you so much> Sia smiled with utmost gratitude as Cyzel glanced across at her, his face alight with warmth.

<Helpin’ a fellow Pokemon’s enough fer me, m’lady> Nor grinned with a bow. <Ah wish you tha best o’ luck in finding ya friend’s charm. Don’t let none o’ them grimy sewer folks push ya round, got that?>

Sia giggled slightly as Nor turned to scamper away. <Bye! And thanks again!>

<Well… here goes…> Cyzel murmured, putting a paw on the rim of the pipe.

He was right. The scenery was pretty repulsive - the walls of the pipe were coated in a mixture of greenish slime and semi-transparent gunk, all matter of putrid waste and filth had collected below and was now eking its way between the paws of the two feline Pokemon that trudged gingerly through it and the stench was so overwhelming it was almost impossible not to gag.

<Ugh…> Sia spluttered as she covered up her face. <This has certainly taught me not to act impulsively>

Cyzel said nothing to this. Sia was right, of course, but he knew that agreeing would only add to the Meowth’s guilt so instead he simply continued walking and scouring the pathway ahead for any particularly shiny objects. After a few minutes of walking the duo entered another pipeway - this one was occupied by a particularly large Gulpin and a Muk who both seemed to be firmly occupied in consuming the slime upon the walls at an alarming rate.

Resisting the urge to complain at the disgusting sight Cyzel approached and carefully cleared his throat.

<Eh…excuse me…>

The Gulpin was the first to look up, cheeks bulging as a trickle of slime dangled from its lips.

<What’s your problem?> it grunted after swallowing. Cyzel winced as Sia shuddered behind him, but continued the conversation.

<Me and my friend here are looking for a charm> he began. <A Meowth charm, as a matter of fact. We wondered if you had seen one anywhere>

Upon hearing this the Gulpin chuckled heartily.

<Boy, oh boy> he grinned. <We’re sure getting some strange things come floating through lately, eh? Hey Larry! You’ll never believe what we got here!>

The Muk drew its massive gelatinous form round and glowered at the two felines further down the tunnel.

<Furries?> he remarked thickly. <No furries live in thuh tube, ‘s far as I knew…>

<We don’t live here> Sia protested.

<We’re visiting> Cyzel tagged on with a slightly sheepish grin. The Gulpin continued to chuckle to himself.

<First ‘umans…now furries…> Larry contemplated. <What is thuh world comin’ to, huh Arnie?>

<Humans?> Cyzel spluttered, pricking up his ears. Arnie nodded.

<Yeah. We ain’t seen no charm but we sure saw some humans passing through here not so long ago>

<Oh no…> Sia sighed miserably. <You don’t think it’s…them, do you?>

<Not necessarily> Cyzel shook his head. <But I’d much rather it be Adam and the others than some bunch of thieves>

Sia gasped.

<Where’d those humans go?> she asked Arnie hurriedly.

<They were headin east, toward the town outskirts> he replied, consequently engulfing a small mound of gunk. <Doubt they would have gotten far though. Stupid humans… got no sense of direction, ‘specially with that eyesight of theirs>

Neither Sia nor Cyzel commented on this. After all, they both liked and respected their human companions.

<Well thanks anyway> Cyzel acknowledged, motioning to Sia to move back down the pipe.

As the two feline Pokémon re-entered the adjoining tunnel they heard a guffawed comment along the lines of ‘outsiders and their manners’ echo from behind them. Sia gazed worriedly into the distance.

<We’d better get a move on> she remarked anxiously. Cyzel nodded.

< Listen…> Sia murmured tentatively. <Do you hear that?>

<Yeah…> Cyzel nodded as he turned his head toward a nearby barred opening. <It’s coming from down there… I’m sure of it>

Certainly enough, as the Pokémon neared the opening and peered through it, they spotted a group of human figures below them. From their expressions and positioning it was clear to see their intent was not a good one, but neither Cyzel nor Sia could make out the figure they were clustered around.

“Well?” the red-haired female member of the trio snapped. “What have you got to say for yourself?”

There was no answer. Upon witnessing this occurrence the blue shiny-haired man began to laugh, but this amusement didn’t last long. The woman was quick to silence him with the back of her hand.

“He has to be able to talk!” she exclaimed in annoyance. “He’s just holding back on us, the uncooperative little cretin!”

“Whatever you say” the blue-haired man muttered.

“But frankly, I think you’re just wasting your time, Althea.”

Sia leaned forward, grasping onto Cyzel’s shoulder to steady herself as she tried to get a better look. It seemed that Althea was taking on board her companion’s words as the silent but ominous presence of the burly lime-haired man kept a firm eye on their target.

“Yeah…” the woman sighed eventually. “Guess you’re right” And then turning to the hidden figure she announced, “Well…since you didn’t complete your half of the bargain, we’re going to take our compensation and find a better tour guide. The medallion, Ivan”

With that, the muscled countenance behind reached out a massive hand and snatched something viciously into the air. As he held the object up high both Sia and Cyzel gasped in unison.

<No…> the Cyameez uttered.

<That’s…> Sia stammered brokenly. <…that’s Errol’s charm!>

Ivan pulled back, to finally reveal whom the trio had been interrogating for so long. Bathed in a pool of torchlight, blushing furiously and glaring up at those who stared at him with such disregard and sliminess, was none other than Cory. The Pokémon could firmly understand why he had been so reluctant to speak - not only was he refusing to help a bunch of thugs but Cory was also deeply embarrassed about his amateur use of the English language. Looking at him now, it was more than apparent the pseudohuman wanted to give the Charizans a piece of his mind.

“Vatsnot yors! Giveet baak!” he yelled. Shark began to snicker at this, while Althea furrowed her brow intensely.

“So!” she barked. “You were holding out on us! Little brat…you can speak!”

“Yeah…” Shark grinned. “Like a drunkard!”

“Too true…” Althea remarked, as Cory began to shake with a turbulent fury. “He is probably as inept with his sense of direction as he is with his other abilities. A waste of time.”

“I don’t know…” Shark persisted. “Makes a good form of entertainment, in my opinion. Hey kid, say that again”

By this time Cory’s face had taken on a frighteningly darkened expression, the eyes narrowed to the point of becoming unseen, the corner of the mouth twitching, revealing a set of slowly sharpening teeth.

“If you don’t give that charm to me…” he intoned, in a voice as cold as ice.

“…you’re going to seriously regret it”

Althea raised her eyebrows while Shark’s mouth dropped open a little way. Even the Pokémon spectators trapped above were showing signs of surprise.

<He said something perfectly!> Sia gasped, half admirably, half anxiously. She was beginning to fear that Cory’s anger had caused him to crack. Cyzel seemed to be more concerned with lending assistance.

<There’s gotta be a way to get down there> he frowned. <If only we could bust open this grate>

The astonishment didn’t last long. Althea nodded in Ivan’s direction and Cory soon found himself rising quickly into the air, clasped around the neck like a snagged Barboach.

“Regret it, will we?” the woman smirked, taking the shiny item from Ivan. “Not by a long shot. The money we get from this charm will make our lives a lot more charming indeed. People pay thousands for trinkets like these!”

“Even when they’re defaced?” Shark inquired. Althea glowered at him.

“Of course not! Who wants damaged goods?”

The man shrugged, and simply pointed at the charm in Althea’s hand. She looked at it carefully, before gritting her teeth with an ominous growl.

“Ghhh! Some little jerk’s gone and scribbled nonsense all over the back of it!”

“MrrrrrrrrOWR!”

Althea