Chapter 0666: Meowth's Song - Awooo~ Awooo~(Two-in-One)

Night fell. Spotlights crisscrossed in neon hues above the Music Hall as a full moon hung over Nimbasa City's skyline.

Elesa, her black hair in twin braids trailing past her hot pants, wore gleaming yellow shoulder pads and antenna headphones. She offered a polite smile to her seatmate.

"Good evening, Miss Sabrina... The night breeze is quite lovely, isn't it?"

Sabrina, clad in a purple bodysuit, gave a curt nod.

"Hello."

Silence.

Elesa studied the Kanto Gym Leader and celebrity, curiosity piqued.

"Miss Sabrina, what brings you to the Music Hall?"

"I'm interested in Gengar's performance," Sabrina stated flatly, eyes forward.

Elesa blinked. "Gengar?"

"Problem?"

This senior seems... difficult.

Elesa had hoped to discuss beauty routines but swiftly pivoted.

As a model, she thrived on dad jokes and awkward humor—

Even if they often fell flat, she delighted in them.

Cheeks dimpling, Elesa whispered:

"Miss Sabrina... ahem, do you know... Flaaffy's wool?"

"Mareep's evolution. What about it?"

"It's fluffy! Ehehe~" She covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.

Sabrina: "......"

That's colder than Pryce's Ice Beam.

Elesa glanced at Sabrina and whispered, “Not funny?”

Sabrina’s icy expression barely twitched into something resembling a smile. “We could… talk about something else.”

Elesa’s eyes sparkled. “Really? I’ve always wanted to shine on stage like Miss Sabrina… With your figure, you’d make a perfect model!”

Sabrina looked at Elesa’s earnest gaze and relaxed slightly. “What skincare products do you use?”

“Honestly, I’ve done a lot of researching on beauty!” Elesa puffed out her chest. “But… I never thought Miss Sabrina was the type to care about this stuff.”

“That was before,” Sabrina said. “Now, I take skincare… very seriously.”

Because Sabrina had once been roasted by Green—‘Old woman’, ‘bad skin’—the memory of her shattered composure was still fresh.

As fellow Trainers juggling main content and side hustles, Sabrina and Elesa unexpectedly found common topics.

“Do you know what happens when Mareanie runs a red light? It becomes Toxapex!” Elesa delivered the pun with a straight face.

Sabrina listened to the ‘Shining Beauty’ ramble, her lips quirking slightly before breaking into a rare smile. She covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

The Sabrina of The Original Series, icy as she was, had once burst into laughter at Haunter’s pranks—at her core, she was a troubled girl who lacked a childhood yet brimmed with childlike wonder.

Sitting beside the pun-loving Elesa, Sabrina let her guard down, revealing an uncharacteristic smile.

……

Cheren and Bianca sat together.

Beside them, Roxie slouched, her studded boots propped up and white-braided hair tied back, lazily stifling a yawn.

Bianca whispered, “Roxie… what’s the setlist for Natsume-sensei’s concert?”

“Dunno.” Roxie shrugged. “But Natsume-sensei’s got skills, plus Meloetta’s backing him… Don’t worry about it.”

“Meloetta?” Cheren gasped. “A Mythical Pokémon, traveling with Natsume-sensei?”

Roxie wordlessly turned her head, and the three of them stared at the black-haired young man by the stage.

Perched on his shoulder was Meloetta, swinging its slender legs. On top of his head sat an adorable Victini.

Cheren and Bianca, who had once collected Pokédex data for Professor Aurea Juniper, exchanged bewildered looks.

“Meloetta… and Victini?!”

Did Natsume-sensei just raid Unova’s stash of Mythical Pokémon?!

……

Cynthia stood with one hand on her hip, smiling as she greeted the Ghost-type Elite Four member, Shauntal.

“Welcome~ Why didn’t Caitlin come?”

“She said she didn’t want to see you and Natsume-sensei being all lovey-dovey,” Shauntal chuckled.

Cynthia sighed. “She’s too sensitive to her surroundings… Music affects her easily.”

Shauntal adjusted her glasses, glancing around. “Speaking of which, where is Natsume-sensei?”

“Preparing for the opening act.”

Shauntal nodded thoughtfully, then leaned in and whispered:

“Cynthia… is it true? The hero from Unova’s legends… was it really Natsume-sensei?”

Cynthia neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, she glanced at the Mythical Pokémon swarming around Natsume-sensei and smiled faintly.

“For him… saving Unova and throwing a concert for Meloetta? The latter might be the more important one.”

A spark of inspiration flashed in Shauntal’s eyes.

“I’ve got ideas… time to pull another all-nighter drafting!”

The ‘Nocturnal Writer’ Shauntal, dark circles under her eyes, silently pumped herself up.

……

The Team Rocket trio huddled in a back corner, whispering among themselves.

“That skinny girl is the model Elesa…”

“So pretty, meow~” Meowth’s eyes sparkled with hearts.

“Soh~ nansu!” Wobbuffet nodded cheerfully.

Jessie flipped her red hair and muttered, “My figure’s just as good as hers.”

“Hmph, if I got into showbiz, I, Jessie, could be a star too!”

James peered through binoculars at the stage and murmured:

“The Executive’s amazing… Even Victini, a legendary, seems close to him.”

Meowth cupped its cheeks, dazed. “And Meloetta~ So enchanting, meow!”

“Soh~ nansu~~” Wobbuffet chuckled.

Bam! Bam!

Jessie smacked both Wobbuffet and Meowth on the head.

“Meloetta belongs to the Executive! No funny business, you two!”

“Wobbuffet… o(╥﹏╥)o”

“That hurt, meow… I was just appreciating beauty!”

Meowth crossed its arms, then froze when it spotted two familiar figures entering the venue.

“T-Twerp?!” the trio shouted in unison.

……

Ash and Iris stepped into the music hall, greeting the familiar Unova Leaders warmly.

Since there was still time before the opening ceremony, they’d rushed over after seeing the group chat notification.

“Whoa, looks like we made it just in time,” Ash said.

Pikachu perched on his shoulder. “Pikachu!”

Flick, flick, flick!

The stage lights suddenly cut out.

Iris nudged him. “Find a seat quick—the concert’s starting.”

When the lights returned, all eyes fixed on the trainer standing center stage.

“Today’s concert is about the bond between people and Pokémon.”

Natsume spoke softly, smiling. “An old topic… but after my journey through Unova, I understand it better.”

“This isn’t a formal event. If any of you and your partners want to perform, the stage is yours.”

“Lastly, thank you all for coming. It means a lot.”

The handsome black-haired young man placed a hand over his heart as Meloetta levitated gracefully beside him. Together, they bowed.

The spotlight bathed Natsume in light, while Meloetta’s every move embodied elegance and beauty.

“Natsume-sensei… is a Top Coordinator?” Elesa whispered, recognizing the style.

Sabrina nodded.

With Meloetta as his partner… Natsume-sensei’s performance might rival even Wallace’s.

And with Victini—the embodiment of victory—he could reach the pinnacle of the Trainer world.

To be blessed with both triumph and artistry… Sabrina murmured:

“Seems Arceus isn’t fair.”

The show began.

For the opening act, Roxie and her partner Scolipede performed a heavy metal rock show.

Strumming her electric guitar and stomping her studded boots, Roxie shouted passionately:

"Poison Plays My Life, Poison Plays the Stage!"

The music hall instantly transformed into an underground rock club.

Natsume personally preferred Roxie's violin performances, but the theater director she'd invited seemed thoroughly entertained.

"Caitlin made the right choice not coming."

Shauntal said wryly: "If this overstimulated her, Confusion might bring down the whole theater."

"But everyone's enjoying it," Cynthia remarked cheerfully.

Shauntal looked around to see Ash and Iris bobbing their heads to the rhythm.

Elesa pointed to her antenna headphones and whispered to Sabrina:

"My playlist has Roxie's entire discography... oh, and Natsume-sensei's singles too!"

A game developer who can't compose isn't a proper chef...

Sabrina sighed: "I wouldn't be surprised if he started making movies someday."

Actor-Trainers weren't uncommon: Diantha, Sabrina, Brycen... The Black/White games had featured Pokémon Hollywood and movie productions, proving the entertainment industry's viability in the Pokémon world.

It was at Kanto's "Pokémon Hollywood replica" that Meowth first met his childhood crush Meowzie, inspiring him to learn human speech - only to be rejected with "a talking Meowth is creepy."

The Team Rocket trio all had tragic romantic histories... yet their friendship brought them back together, their bond stronger than family.

As Roxie's performance ended, Natsume's gaze fell upon Meowth in the audience.

Meowth froze, instantly understanding Natsume's silent suggestion, then frantically waved his paws:

"No way meow! Not in front of so many people... and... and my singing's terrible meow..."

Deep down, Meowth still yearned to perform - to share his original songs and earn recognition.

But Meowth knew his voice sounded like nails on a blackboard.

As "The Power of One" echoed in his heart, Meowth hesitated.

'It's alright, Meowth.'

Natsume smiled. 'Go ahead - sing your favorite song.'

Meowth slowly looked up at the glittering stage, eyes shimmering.

Once upon a time... he'd dreamed of that glamorous life too.

But then.

Meowth glanced at James and Jessie beside him and grinned.

He had his companions, and an amazing Executive... that was enough meow!

Standing on his seat, Meowth shook his head at Natsume.

Natsume raised an eyebrow, then signaled Jessie and James.

The duo exchanged knowing smiles before grabbing Meowth's arms simultaneously.

"W-what are you doing meow?!" Meowth panicked.

"Perfect timing to show off, Meowth," said James.

"Impress these Trainers for future promotion opportunities!" Jessie added.

Both knew about Meowth's past...

Behind his confident facade, Meowth craved validation more than anyone.

And now... was the perfect chance!

They hurled Meowth toward the stage, cheering:

"I Choose You, Meowth!"

"Noooo meow~~"

Flailing through the air, Meowth landed in warm arms - meeting Natsume's gentle gaze.

"E-Executive..." Meowth trembled.

"It's alright, Meowth."

Natsume set him down. "Need a guitar?"

Dazed, Meowth nodded, accepting a miniature guitar from Meloetta who floated forward.

"Meloetta~" Meloetta cheered with an encouraging fist pump.

Staring at the instrument, memories of his wandering days surfaced. Meowth looked up hesitantly.

Before him stood a mentor who seemed to understand everything without being told...

"Executive..."

Applause erupted.

Glancing back at James and Jessie, Meowth felt not regret, but contentment.

Suddenly, fire sparked in Meowth's eyes as he gripped the guitar and adjusted the microphone.

"N-next up... a song by yours truly..."

Scratching his head shyly, Meowth announced: "It's called—"

Taking a deep breath:

"'Meowth's Song.'"

Another round of applause.

Elesa's eyes sparkled: "A talking Meowth... so cute~"

Sabrina crossed her arms, smiling slightly.

Reportedly Team Rocket's elite operatives... They'd grown considerably under their "mentor."

Blushing faintly, Meowth cradled the guitar and gazed at the concert hall's dome.

Memories flooded back - wandering days, attic nights studying human speech, philosophical musings under blue moonlight...

Before his eyes appeared a silver full moon.

As he strummed the guitar under its glow—

While others saw only coins on the ground, Team Rocket's Meowth looked up and saw the moon.

In a raspy yet tender voice, Meowth began:

"Aoi Aoishi zukanayo runiwa..."

[In the blue, blue quiet night, I ponder philosophy alone]

[Bugs tumbling in bushes, chirping, looking delicious]

[But tonight, I won't eat them]

[The moon's so... round, so round]

Under the starry sky, a pink humanoid Pokémon gazed solemnly at the moon.

The meaning of existence... Mewtwo's eternal question.

[Rounder than anything else in this world]

Moonlight illuminated a path where a green-haired young man walked, pausing to admire the orb.

Human-Pokémon relationships... N's unsolvable equation.

Millennia of bonds between humans and Pokémon...

Meowth looked at James and Jessie in the crowd, offering his answer.

[Rounder than anything else in this world]

As the final note faded, Meowth closed his eyes nervously:

"My voice cracked... sounded awful meow..."

Just as he prepared to apologize—

Thunderous applause erupted. Meowth's eyes flew open to see Jessie and James clapping tearfully.

"Where can I buy this? Adding it to my playlist!" Elesa exclaimed.

"'Meowth's Song'..." Cheren mused. "Surprisingly philosophical lyrics."

Bianca smiled: "Pokémon can be philosophers too."

Natsume stepped from the curtains, locking eyes with the sweating Meowth.

Seeing his reflection in those dark eyes, Meowth relaxed, his own shining brightly.

"Executive......"

Wiping his eyes, Meowth beamed:

"What a glorious feeling~ meow!"