>>6274121

Armed with this information, you head for the local pub.

And sure enough, sat on the bar, talking with some of the local bar flies and stunning a few trainers who were apparently taking a break and having a meal, was Meowth.

Not *your family's* Meowth either. Just 'Meowth' is all you've ever known him as.

The distinction being, up until you met Kadabra on South Crescent Island, you'd never met another pokemon that could actually talk, nevermind hold a conversation like Meowth could.

In your experience, he was a bit of a smart ass, but there was no one better in town if you wanted gossip. Or wanted to make damn sure that the Skwovet understood exactly how much you disliked their getting into the fruit trees.

And on occasion, he had some very interesting advice to give on the subjects of digging holes, subterfuge and engineering.

Just then though, you were more interested in gossip. After a fashion.

"...So there." Meowth finished with an air of finality, apparently having settled some argument you missed.

Even though it's only been a few weeks, it feels like forever since you heard that Driftveil accent.

"Eh?" Meowth says, perking up as you walk in. "Ah, Alex!" He says, dropping down off the bar before striding over.

If you didn't know any better, you'd take him for much younger than his nearly twenty years of age, given how spry he remains, though it's often a lot more obvious when your mum or dad leave him in charge of the house and your siblings try to push their luck.

He's as stern as either of your parents when he wants to be.

"I thought you were out bein' a trainer and makin' money to keep us solvent." He says.

"I was." You reply, not in the least bit taken aback by Meowth's attitude while Martha, Holly and Gareth gape.

"Did that Meowth just..." Martha begins.

"...Talk?" Holly finishes faintly.

"Yer darn skippy I did." Meowth replies.

"Regardless, I didn't backtrack all this way because I got homesick." You say. "We need to talk."

Meowth sobers and nods, before waving to the bar flies and saying his goodbyes before you head for your home.

"Did you-" You begin.

"Not here." Meowth says, pre-empting you. "Too many ears. It's a bit of an open secret around here at this stage, but no reason to clue in any other out of town twerps about that after that blond tried swiping her."

You nod and head to your house.

You swallow, your mouth suddenly dry as you see a tarp pulled over the hole in the wall the Tyranitar made and Kay O-o evidently made worse.

"Your team are with your dad at the Fairburns." Meowth pre-empts before you go in and Meowth lights a candle so you can see. "So. What do you wanna know, Alex?"

>Do you have any idea where Latias might be hiding.
>Did you talk with Latias about anything?
>Do you know where the bastard who did this is?
>A bit of a detour, it's kind of relevant at this point - what's with the disguise kit and hot air balloon in the cellar?
>Other