The Disruptive Meowth

Professor Birch, engrossed in his research, left Yuga to his own devices, and his assistant Aru came over to keep Yuga company.

With nothing to do, Aru suddenly suggested, "Hey, how about I show you around our research institute? It's quite spacious here, and we house a variety of Pokémon, including some from other regions!"

Yuga's eyes lit up at the idea. He happily replied, "That sounds great! Thank you!"

Opportunities to visit Professor Birch's research institute were scarce, as not just anyone could enter.

Aru waved his hand, smiling as he said, "No trouble at all! It's rare for outsiders to visit our institute, so this is a special occasion."

The backyard of the Professor Birch Research Institute was where the Professor, kept his Pokémon. Pokémon that grew tired of the Ecopark inside the institute would often venture into the backyard. Unlike other Ecoparks, Yuga's felt like a separate space, making it more comfortable for the resident Pokémon.

Even though other Ecoparks might simulate environments well, they still differed from the natural environments.

Aru pointed to a group of Bulbasaur by the river and introduced them to Yuga, saying, "Those Bulbasaur were recently exchanged by the professor with Professor Oak for research purposes."

Yuga looked at the Bulbasaur with envy, nearly drooling.

In truth, Yuga was quite fond of Bulbasaur. While its final evolution might be a bit hard to describe, its initial and middle stages were undeniably cute.

Suddenly, several Wooper emerged from the water, startling the Bulbasaur drinking by the river. They tumbled backward in surprise.

Aru chuckled and explained, "These Wooper were brought back by the professor during his research expedition in Johto."

It was said that Wooper and Quagsire would only inhabit areas with crystal-clear water, making them a symbol of a pollution-free environment.

"Wooper!"

The Wooper glanced at the startled Bulbasaur, seemingly afraid of being scolded. Their agile heads turned, and they slipped back into the water.

Not far away, Yuga spotted some sleeping Morerull attached to the tree trunk.

Seeing Yuga's gaze fixed on the Morerull, Aru volunteered some information, "Those Morerull were a gift from the Aether Foundation in Alola Region during the professor's exchange program."

Yuga nodded. When he saw these Morerull, he couldn't help but recall a funny scene from the animated series where Ash got drained dry by them in the forest. It struck him as oddly amusing.

In reality, Morerull didn't pose much of a threat. They would unconsciously absorb the life force of nearby flora and fauna, but the amount was minuscule and didn't harm the creatures around them.

Comparatively, the Chandelure and Litwick family, which shared a similar characteristic, were much more fearsome. They had the ability to drain all of a creature's life force, leading to its demise.

However, this ability was controllable, and unless they were inherently malevolent, they wouldn't harm ordinary life.

Some of the terrifying rumors about the Chandelure were spread by some evil individuals.

This was also why people feared Ghost-type Pokémon, as they indeed possessed many mysterious abilities.

As Yuga pondered these thoughts, a sudden commotion reached his ears, as if something had caused a disturbance.

"What's happening?" Yuga inquired curiously.

"It must be that troublemaker again! This time, I'm determined to catch it!" Aru suddenly looked furious and dashed toward the source of the commotion. Yuga followed suit.

When Yuga and Aru arrived at the scene, they saw a Meowth playfully bouncing on top of an Tangela's head, continuously making faces at the Pokémon below. The other Pokémon were in chaos.

"It's you again!" Aru shouted at the Meowth.

Meowth, upon seeing Aru approach, didn't seem frightened at all. Instead, it stuck out its tongue at him, made funny faces, and then jumped down from the Tangela it had been teasing. Meanwhile, the Tangela had fallen to the ground, looking rather pitiful due to Meowth's unexpected jump.

"I won't let you get away this time!" Aru declared, releasing a Budew from its Poké Ball. "Budew, let's catch this Meowth together. We can't allow it to escape today."

Budew nodded at Aru and immediately extended two vine whips to ensnare Meowth. At the same time, Aru rushed towards Meowth.

Instead of fleeing, Meowth stood still, constantly wiggling its rear end and taunting Aru, which greatly frustrated him.

Just when Aru and Budew's vines were about to capture Meowth, the mischievous Pokémon effortlessly dodged, leaving Aru caught in Budew's vines instead.

"Meowth... Meowth, Meowth!" Seeing Aru and Budew in such a comical predicament, Meowth burst into laughter while lying on the ground.

After laughing, Meowth leaped onto the head of an Breloom that was eating berries not far away.

The Breloom, savoring its meal, suddenly felt something heavy on its head and a suffocating sensation. Meowth had covered the two holes Breloom used to breathe through its cap and continued to mock it.

Frustrated, Breloom dropped the half-eaten berry, raised its arms, and tried to scratch the top of its head. But Meowth agilely leaped down from Breloom's head, leaving Breloom scratching itself and yelping in pain.

Meowth rolled on the ground, laughing heartily, clearly amused by Breloom's antics.

At this moment, Aru, who had managed to free himself from Budew's vines, arrived. He muttered angrily, "You little rascal!" He appeared thoroughly vexed.

In this chase between Aru and Meowth, the entire backyard of the research institute had turned into chaos, with Pokémon running amok.

Yuga watched this spectacle with bewilderment. He couldn't comprehend how Aru, armed with only an 18-level Budew, thought he could catch a nimble and capable Meowth like this.

Yuga activated his Insight ability to see Meowth Information.

...

<<Meowth>>

Type: Normal

Ability: Unnerve

Gender: Male

Potential: Green

Level: 35

Moves: Scratch, Feint Attack, Pay Day, Taunt, Slash.

...

Yuga took out a Poké Ball, releasing Florges. He said to her, "Florges, catch that Meowth."

Florges nodded and her two thick vines shot out toward Meowth, their speed far surpassing Budew's vines.

Meowth, who had been perched on the back of a Rhyhorn, tauntingly mocking Aru, was suddenly caught off guard as the vines swiftly ensnared it. Its laughter came to an abrupt halt.