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“We’re crashing! Mayday! Mayday” Jessie screamed.
“Actually, I think it’s Tuesday?” James responded.
“Nah, it’s Weds-” the Team Rocket Meowth balloon soon crashed into the forest below before Meowth could finish his sentence.
A few Pidgeies flew out of that tree while some caterpies quickly crawled out and away as their resting spot was disturbed. “Why does this always happen to us?” Jessie asked as she pulled herself out of the wreckage, miraculously unscathed.
“My head…” Moewth whined.
“Meowth?” Jessie turned to where she heard her fellow Team Rocket member, hoping the cat didn’t have a cracked skull or blood pouring from his little head.
Her concern quickly turned to annoyance as Meowth held a bit of the now-deflated hot air balloon that was usually the shape of Meowth’s head. “My poor head…”
Jessie rolled her eyes as the cat continued to softly cry about the balloon’s damage. “James, you good?” She asked as scanned the area for her blue-haired fellow Team Rocket member.
A single “ow,” came from under the balloon’s tarp.
“Good enough,” Jessie had finally gotten herself fully free from the wreckage as James was only now trying to pull himself from under the tarp. She then bonked the still mourning Meowth on the head, making him yelp.
“Ye-Ouch! What was that for!?” He hissed, rubbing his actual head.
Jessie ignored him and began to question James. “So, is this the place or..?” she trailed off, waiting for James to answer.
“I think so?” Now James had also freed himself from the wreckage and dusted himself off. He too was miraculously unscathed though he sometimes wondered when one of them would get seriously hurt from their hot-air balloon always exploding or when they would always go shooting through the sky like an actual rocket… He then noticed Jessie’s disapproved look at that answer and added “I mean I know… maybe?”
Jessie sighed. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to check your estate first?”
“I’d rather not,” Though Jessie was right if James wanted to know if this "Flaming Hound" he had heard of was his old friend or not, the first place to look would have been his parents’ mansion and the smaller mansion built right next to that one which was for his dear Growlithe. However, the thought of running into Jessabelle made his head pound. “also, sightings of the Flaming Hound were reported to be around here!” He felt more sure now, hoping that Jessie too would think the same.
“I guess you’re right…” Jessie placed her hands on her hips as she looked around. “Even if it’s not your Growlithe, I suppose it’s still worth catching.”
“We’ll find it in a snap!” Meowth snapped his paws, how he does that was still a mystery to the other two, and stood there for a second before asking. “So, where is it?”
“We don’t know!” Jessie replied harshly.
“Oh, yeah…”
“Growlie!” James started calling out. “Growlie, are you here!?”
“Hush! Or you’ll scare it away!” Jessie snapped. “You don’t even know if it’s your Growlie or not!”
“To be frank, I doubt it is,” Meowth said.
James lowered his head as his brows furrowed. “Sightings reports started near my old estate and ended around here, though I’m not sure why Growlie would leave home-”
“Probably ran away like you did!” Moewth pointed right at
James’s face.
“Nonetheless, people outside of these woods have reported hearing howls during the night,” James said. “And trainers who have encountered it have said it was a very tough opponent!”
“So, how should we catch it?” Jessie asked.
“Hole,” Meowth replied as he held up a shovel from the hot-air balloon’s basket.
Usually, James would agree to the “bury a hole, cover it with leafs, and wait” plan, but the thought of his Growlie treating by, falling through what it thought was normal ground, and then looking up at James with widened eyes didn’t feel right. “Maybe we should find out where it is first…” he suggested.
“Isn’t it around here?” Jessie asked as she was grabbing a shovel.
“It could have moved again.”
“Then we should get moving now too!” Meowth loudly suggested.
“Let’s keep going that way!” Jessie pointed to where the hot-air balloon was originally headed before it made an unexpected crashed landing.
“Let’s go!” Meowth said as he and Jessie both began to head off. James checked to see if he had his Pokemon with him as he always did and quickly followed after.
***
Zubats flew through the night sky as two Gastlies playfully chased a Haunter in the dark deep of the woods. Jessie shivered as she felt a chilling breeze blow through her skin and long, pointed magenta hair. It was night outs like these that made her wish she hadn’t chosen to wear the miniskirt and crop top though she refused to ever change her signature look. She walked a bit quicker when she spotted a Hypno staring at her from behind a nearby tree.
“What time is it?” Jessie asked.
“Sundown,” Meowth answered.
“I can see that!” Jessie snapped. “How long have we been walking for!?”
“Seven days…” James whined as his legs begged to give in.
“It’s only been a few hours!” Meowth sharply replied. “You guys are babies!” He then crossed his arms and added while shaking his head “acting like this is your first rodeo. We’re always traveling and whatnot!”
“Which is why I’m always tired!” Jessie plopped down next to a tree. “My legs ache and my back is killing me and I just wanna go to bed!”
“That’s what old age does to ya!”
Jessie’s face burned red. “What did you just say!?” She sprung up, yelling as she shook her fist.
Meowth yelped and hid behind James, an angry Jessie was never a good thing especially when her anger was targeted towards you! James placed his hand on Meowth’s head while he sighed. “Maybe we should take a break?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Jessie nodded as the suggestion of a break was quickly cooling her down. “Did you bring the camping supplies?”
“I thought you did?” James raised a brow at Meowth.
Meowth held up his paws. “hey, don’t look at me!”
The three stood there, staring at each other for one very very very long minute.
“You forgot!?” Jessie snapped at the two boys who immediately held onto each other, sweating and shaking.
“No!” James yelled.
“Then where is it!?”
“We forgot!” Meowth yelled.
“You-” Jessie looked as if she were ready to scratch the boys up into long red slivers. “What are we supposed to do now!? Sleep in the DIRT!?”
“Yes,” Meowth replied in a sudden nonchalant manner.
Jessie hissed at him, but before any more could be screamed or yelled, a howl was heard.
The three went quiet once again, each of them feeling the same icy wind touching their skin. Jessie jumped into the tight hug James and Meowth were in as their hearts all pounded through their chests.
Jessie then pushed the boys away as the realization hit her. “That must be it!”
“Must be wha-” Meowth was interrupted by the same howl.
“Growlie?” James looked around as he tried to hear where the howling came from or if it sounded just like his old friend.
“The Flaming Hound!” Jessie shouted.
Another howl echoed through the woods as if it were replying to them.
“This way! It’s coming from this way!” Meowth ran off.
“Hey, wait for us!” James followed.
“Don’t leave me alone!” Jessie yelled as she rushed after them.
Branches cracked and snapped as the three, despite the tiredness they had felt minutes before, sped through the bushes and trees. Then, Meowth screamed as he went toppling down a hill. James soon followed before he could have time to react. Jessie tried to slow down to a stop but it was already too late as she joined in rolling down that hill.
Luckily for Jessie, James was there to cushion her fall, and not so luckily for Meowth, he was crushed under two humanoid idiots. “Get… off…” Meowth managed to spit out.
Jessie hopped off as did James. Meowth, however, was still a pancake on the ground. “Are you alright, Meowth?” James asked.
“Do… I look..?” Meowth answered as he pulled himself up.
“Then why did you think rolling down that hill was a good idea?” Jessie questioned as if the cat had planned to do that.
Meowth only stared up at her and half blinked. “I just thought it’d be the best fun I’d ever freaking had!” He hissed as he barred out his claws.
Jessie cleared her throat and looked away while a bead of sweat dripped down from her cheek. “Anyway… lead the way.”
“Give me a moment…” Meowth moaned as he straightened out his back and stood up tall. His eyes then shot open as the howl was heard again through the woods, it was louder than before. Meowth’s whole body shook as he kept up his kitty-faced smile. “Oh! We’re close!”
“I can hear that!” Jessie said.
James’s eyes lit up as the thought of seeing Growlie again entered his mind. It had been so long since he had seen his childhood best friend, but now he felt as if it wouldn’t be much longer until the two of them met again. Perhaps that howl was his little Growlie’s, it did sound a lot like it after all.
“Are you coming, James?” Jessie asked.
James couldn’t help but smile. “Yes!”
Jessie raised her brow, wondering what was making him happy all of a sudden. “Okay, then don’t just stand there and follow Meowth, he seems to know where he’s going.”
Only sounds of leaves crunching under boots were heard as the three weren’t running anymore as not only were they fighting to keep themselves from collapsing to the ground, but they didn’t want to risk another chance at falling down another hill.
The three soon stumbled upon a small den in a small opening. Meowth put his paw against his lips and shushed the other two before they could say anything. “I think this is it,” he whispered.
“Are you sure!?” Jessie asked loudly.
Meowth shushed her again. “Don’t make any noise! We don’t want to startle anyone now, do we?”
Jessie huffed and though she had a lot she wanted to say, she said nothing. James began to wonder if his Growlie was in there, alone. Was it freezing in there? All cold and alone? James couldn’t stand the thought. He had hoped it would stay at home, watching over his parents... Perhaps James shouldn’t be too surprised that it ran away… If it really did, that is…
Meowth had already begun tiptoeing towards the den, while Jessie followed. James was soon able to snap out of his thoughts and quickly but quietly caught up with the other two. “Any of you have a light?” Meowth asked.
“No,” Jessie answered.
James pulled out his Pokedex. “Will this do?”
“Is that really all we have?” Meowth stared at the poor light source.
“Hm…” James searched around his pockets until he felt something that could maybe be a bit more useful. “Ah ha!” He pulled out a small flashlight. “Bingo!”
“Better than the Pokedex at least…” Meowth snatched it from James and shined it into the den. That’s when something orange flashed by, causing Meowth to yell out and drop the torch.
“What!?” Jessie yelled as well. “What is it!?”
“I saw something!”
“A Growlithe?” James asked.
As if to answer the question, an orange paw stepped in front of the light shined by the flashlight lying on the ground.
Meowth quickly picked up the light and pointed it towards the Growlithe. The Growlithe’s pupils shrunk in contact with the light as it continued to stare at the three.
James felt his heart beat. “...Growlie?”
The Growlithe stared at him until it was playfully tackled by another Growlithe. Meowth almost dropped the flashlight again but kept a stronger grip on it as he shined the light toward where the second Growlithe came from.
There were about four more.
All of them were staring.
All of them were now running towards Jessie, James, and Meowth.
The three did not stop for a second to have any single thought as they ran out of that den, screaming and waving their arms around like a flock of Pidgeys.
Once they knew they were far enough, they all leaned against the trees while trying to catch their breaths. “I think…” Meowth tried to speak through heavy breathing. “I think we lost them…”
“I’m never running again…” Jessie sighed as she slumped down. “I need a glass of water…”
James wasn’t paying much attention to what the other two were saying. He only thought back to the Growlithes. He wondered if maybe they had run away too soon. That maybe one of those Growlithes was his Growlie. Then again, the one they first saw didn’t seem to have the same look in its eyes as Growlie whenever it would see James… Nor did the other ones that were chasing them…
“I was told there was one” Jessie held up one finger to Meowth’s face. “One Flaming Hound!”
“I was just going off what I was told!” Meowth hissed as he glared over at James, who was the one who first told them about the rumor.
“Well, you were told wrong!”
“And what am I suppose to do about that!?”
As Meowth and Jessie bickered, James began to feel silly for ever thinking his Growlie had run away from home. It was probably sleeping right now in its own personal mini mansion while James was out here, freezing with his argumentative friends.
“... We should go,” James said as he began to stand up.
Jessie and Meowth both stopped fighting and looked at him.
Meowth tilted his head. “Go back?”
“After we were just chased!?” Jessie argued.
“No,” James sighed. “We already found the Flaming Hounds, so let’s go.”
“Those were just pups, Jimmy boy,” Meowth said. “they don’t even fit the description!”
“Are you sure?” Jessie questioned Meowth. “not even one of them?”
Meowth scratched his head. “Well… didn’t really have time to get a good eye on any of them…”
“This was a waste of time,” James began to walk away. “Let’s just go and find that Pikachu or whatever…”
Jessie and Meowth both looked at each other with worried expressions. Jessie looked back at James and asked. “are you sure?”
“There could be more around here somewhere-”
“Let’s go!” James cut Meowth off.
Meowth stared at him with his mouth gaped open. Usually, he’d yell back but this time didn’t feel right…
“Hey,” Jessie softly asked. “are you alright?”
“Does it look like it!?” James snapped, he then stopped and took a deep breath. “I… I was a fool to think Growlie was here…”
“Yeah…” Meowth agreed. Jessie shot a glare at Meowth who held up his paws in defense. “What!?”
“Your Growlie may still be around here,” Jessie said, trying her best to sound hopeful. “at least, you were so sure about that when you first told us about the Flaming Hound...”
“And I was wrong!” James replied.
“Maybe…” Jessie tried to think of something else to say.
A howl then echoed through the night.
Meowth’s ear twitched to the howl’s direction. “Hey! it’s that Pokemon again!”
“Where!?” Jessie jumped, looking behind the trio hoping a couple of orange dog-like Pokemon were not about to run out of those trees and pounce them.
James began to walk away whether or not his companions were following him. “Where are ya going!?” Meowth called to him. “That howl may be the key to finding what we’ve been looking for!”
“Or the key to seeing the afterlife!” Jessie yelled. “That howling is probably from those Growlithes!”
“Nah or yah, I’m not completely sure,” Meowth admitted. “to be frank, it sounded like those Growlithes wanted to play.”
“Then why did you run away, screaming?”
“Because you ran away, screaming!”
“You were scared just as much as James and I were!” Jessie pointed out.
Meowth jumped up to reach Jessie’s height, held onto her shoulder, and covered her mouth with his paw. “Speaking of James,” The two looked over and saw their blue-haired friend was already a bit ahead of them. “Where ya going!?” Meowth yelled after him before jumping off of a bewildered Jessie and running towards the young man.
“Not sure,” James continued walking. “I guess we could look for other Pokemon to steal or catch?”
“What about that hound?” Meowth argued.
“We already found them,”
“I mean,” Meowth scratched the back of his ear. “We found some pups…” Meowth then rushed to be in front of James, holding out his paws. “And none of them-”
“None of them were him…” James sighed, his shoulders then sunk. “When I first heard about this ‘Flaming Hound’ I couldn’t help but think ‘what if it’s him?’” James had already stopped walking and leaned on a tree once again as memories of his old friend came to him. “It’s been so, so long and to be honest, I regret leaving him behind…”
“Yeah, that was pretty stupid of you,” Meowth said.
“Meowth!” Jessie scolded.
“Ah, but he’s right,” James continued. “Growlie is probably still at my old estate, watching over my parents as I told him to… why I ever thought he would have changed his mind and run off is beyond me…” James sunk deeper into the ground and held his legs close to his chest.
Jessie and Meowth both looked at each other wondering if the other knew any comforting words and then when it was clear neither of them knew what to say they both slowly looked back down at James.
The same howl then interrupted the silence. “We can still look around!” Meowth’s ear twitched towards the howl.
James only buried his face into his knees in response.
“Oh, will you stop moping around!?” Jessie yelled while stomping her foot. “Honestly!”
James looked up at her with round eyes filled with tears.
Jessie crossed her arms while looking away. “Do not give me that look!”
“We need to get back to searching!” Meowth demanded as he gently nudged James’s leg.
“Why!?” James yelled.
“Because I refuse to believe this is it!” Meowth held out his claws. “We were told it was a huge, powerful hound that could defeat any Pokemon that came its way!” Meowth stood up tall, though he was still not able to tower over his friends. “Those pups were nothing to even compare to what you told us!”
“Okay, jeez, calm down…” Jessie mumbled as she looked over at James.
“But-” Before James could argue anymore, Meowth used Fury Swipe on his face. James jumped up and screamed. “Ow ow ow! Why!?” he yelled as he held his now burning, scratched up face.
Meowth smirked while he still held out his claws. “It’s what yous get for not listening…”
“But I was-” James froze when he saw Meowth inch his claws closer to him. “Okay, okay…”
“So, we keep looking?” Jessie asked.
James glared down at Meowth who only kept smirking at him. “I guess…” he replied through clenched teeth.
“Alrighty then,” Jessie narrowed her eyes. “More walking around for us it is…”
Meowth led the way once again, this time taking it real slow and easy and swiping at any leaves or branches that even dared to get in their way. James dragged his feet against the ground, grumbling under his breath while Jessie wished she could just lie down and go to sleep.
The howling had stopped a bit ago, but Meowth was still eager to follow it. It didn’t sound like it could have been too far, but he wondered if the Pokemon behind that howl would run off or maybe go to that den full of Growlithes? For all he knew they could be family! or maybe just friends? He was just guessing in his head at that point.
Meowth froze when he spotted something orange run through the trees that were right next to them.
“What is it?” Jessie whispered.
Meowth’s eyes widened as the same Growlithe from the den came into view. The three turned around only to see the other four Growlithes…
“Oh no…” Jessie’s voice shook.
“Now-now listen…” Meowth’s fur stood up on its ends. “We don’t want-”
All Growlithes then pounced on Meowth, Meowth screamed. “Ah! They’re eating me!”
Jessie screamed as well but James squinted his eyes. “I, uh, I think they’re just playing…” James said as he watched the Growlithes lick Meowth and wag their tails.
Meowth pretended to be dead while the Growlithes continued to play around. Jessie and James watched. James couldn’t help but think again of Growlie, his old friend who may not be here, but perhaps they could bring these pups along for their adventures and missions…
Then the howl from before was heard louder than ever.
The Growlithes all stopped playing and turned towards the howl. Meowth sat up and stared at the beast that now stood before them. Jessie and James both yelped and held onto each other as the beast’s glowing eyes stared down at them through the darkness of the trees.
“Welp, we are dead for real this time,” Meowth plainly said.
The beast took a few steps closer and its fluffy cream-colored mane and orange fur with black stripes became slightly more clear.
“Who…” Jessie’s question trailed off as James searched his pockets for his Pokedex. Once he found it-
The huge hound then rushed towards them.
“James, watch out!” Jessie yelled, however, it was too late.
The hound leaped on top of James and James let out a high-pitched shriek. Meowth stared at the Growlithes while Jessie screamed and covered her eyes.
The hound licked James’ face while he lay on the ground. He wasn’t playing dead like Meowth was a few minutes ago, he was just trying to push the hound’s face away. “Get off of me!” He yelled. Jessie uncovered her eyes and sighed relieved while Meowth smirked at her.
Meowth picked up the now cracked Pokedex and scanned the beast. “The Pokedex said it’s an Arcanine!” Meowth read out loud.
“Do you think-”
“We found the Flaming Hound!” Meowth grinned as he held up the Pokedex. “Or I guess it found us!”
“Should we take it to the boss?” Jessie stared star-eyed at the Arcanine who was nuzzling James.
Before Meowth or even James answered. The Arcanine let out a bellowing howl as it wagged its tail. Jessie, James, and Meowth stared at it in awe. Arcanine then stared back.
Meowth blinked as his mouth formed the shape of an O. “Oh, it’s really happy to see you!” Meowth smiled.
“What do you mean?” James asked as he rubbed Arcanine’s neck.
“What do I mean?” Meowth repeated. “I… I don’t know, it’s just really happy to see you, I guess?” Meowth eyed at the Arcanine.
“Well, it shouldn’t give us too much trouble then,” Jessie said.
“And make that double!” James added.
“No,” James frowned as Jessie continued. “we can just lead it to the boss, simple as that! Didn’t even need any holes!”
Usually, James wouldn’t hesitate to agree, but there was something about this Arcanine, something… familiar… A thought then entered his mind, though he wasn’t fully believing it… yet… this Arcanine…
Arcanine’s tail wagged as James gave it some pets. Meowth continued to stare at the Arcanie intently. “You know,” Meowth said. “Arcanine is the evolved form of Growthle…”
“Is that so?” James replied.
“The Pokedex says that, doesn’t it?” Jessie commented.
“Well, yeah…” Meowth nodded at Arcanine’s sounds. “this Arcanine seems to know you, so maybe…” Meowth trailed off, assuming his companions would get the hint. However, he was only met with blank stares. “James, doesn’t this Arcanie seem a tiny bit familiar to you?”
“I was just thinking that!” James said as Arcanine gave his face another nuzzle. “You remind me so much of…” James' eyes lit up, though he tried not to get his hopes up too high for they could come crashing down like their Meowth-shaped hot-air balloon...
Yet.
James quietly spoke “... Growlie?”
Arcanine’s tail wagged harder as it howled to the stars above.
“But, how!?” James’s voice began to rise but there was still doubt in his mind.
“Must have gotten into a lot of battles…” Meowth said, looking away from Arcanie while sweat started to drip from his face.
“Could it really be James’s Growlie?” Jessie asked Meowth.
“Yeah!” Meowth answered. “Can’t you tell?”
“No?”
“Perks of being a talking Pokemon!” Meowth smirked as he puffed out his chest.
“It really is you,” James wrapped his arms around Arcanie and squeezed it into a hug as tears filled his eyes. “Growlie!” Growlie rubbed its head against James’s in response.
“Aw, how sweet…” Meowth commented as he wiped a tear from his eye.
Jessie stared at James and Growlie for a moment before she smiled. “I guess we won’t be taking it to the boss. Oh well…”
Growlie and its friends, the Growlithes then guided James, Jessie, and Meowth back to the den where they would all huddle together for warmth and sleep for the rest of the night.