Chapter 1: The end of the world
The room was dark. A lone light being cast from a lamp created an eerie luminescence in the center of the room, barely revealing particular features about a particularly intimidating figure. The figure, James knew, was Giovanni, Boss Rocket, Leader of Viridian Gym. James also knew that whatever he had called them here for, was not good. Giovanni sighed as he sipped a glass of wine, stroking his pompous Persian.
"Jessie. James. Meowth." Giovanni began in a very final tone. "Your constant screw ups have cost me millions over the years. I no longer have the patience to deal with you." Giovanni said as he took another gulp of his elixir.
"But, Boss…" Meowth chimed in, desperate to maintain his position in Team Rocket. The feline had no other place to go. He refused to return to Hollywood, and would do whatever it took to not be kicked out.
"Oh, an excuse?" Giovanni's tone was an icy cold. "I've heard them all before. You may be able to speak, Meowth, but I would do much better without you. Even a regular Meowth would be an improvement from you." Meowth shrank back into the shadows, cowering from the tough truth the boss was finally bestowing upon him. "Jessie. James." He continued. "I'd really love to hear your explanation on this one. Why is it that you have spent the last six years chasing a Pikachu, while I have stated on more than one occasion that I DIDNT EVEN WANT!" Giovanni's voice rose as he squeezed his wine glass, bursting it into thousands of shards, droplets of wine splattering the carpet like blood.
The duo remained silent. They had no reason. The had gotten carried away, and forgotten their primary mission: the capture of rare and valuable pokemon for Team Rocket.
"Just as I thought. That will do then. The three of you are hereby terminated. Collect your pokemon from storage, if you wish, and get the hell out of my headquarters."
The door slid shut behind the trio of thieves as they exited the boss's room and headed toward the elevator, all three with their heads bowed in shame. They didn't speak as they made their way toward the elevator, and down to storage. James collected his Yamask, Mime Jr., and Carnivine; Jessie, her Yanmega, Wobbufett, Woobat and Seviper. As they turned to exit, however, the clerk stopped them.
"I'm afraid you are no longer to wear the proud uniform of Team Rocket." He stated icily. Apparently the entire organization was thrilled to be rid of the bumbling bunch. Jessie and James sighed as they accepted the sweatsuits offered in exchange, and proceeded to change clothes. They collected any belongings they may have left in their lockers, turned in their card keys, and were escorted off the premises.
"Remember," the clerk began as they reached outdoors, "You say anything to anyone, and we WILL kill you all." And with that, the door sealed shut behind them.
"What are we going to do now?" Jessie asked, wiping a tear from her eye, Team Rocket had been her life for as long as she could remember. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would be without a job, especially in this den of thieves.
"I don't know." Meowth replied. " We could keep chasing Pikachu, I guess. Maybe use him to buy our way back in?"
"There's no point in that." Jessie responded. "Didn't you hear the boss? He doesn't even want the little rat."
"Oh yeah…" The feline said, scratching his head in thought. "Hey, Jimmy, you've been awful quiet. Any ideas?"
"Just one." James replied quickly and finitely.
"Oh?" Jessie responded. "Do go on." James sighed, running a weary hand through his hair. "Listen, guys." He began, clearly struggling to find the right way to say what was on his mind. "Do you know why we always failed? We're weak. We were poor Rockets because we were poor trainers. Take a look at my Cacnea. I bet he's almost invincible by now, but he never would have gotten that way with me." He explained. Jessie and Meowth looked taken aback, but James pressed forward, knowing that if he didn't speak his mind now, he never would.
"I'm leaving to go on my own adventure. And I think you two should as well. Jessie, you're a talented coordinator. You could be great if you really worked at it." Jessie's face lit up at the compliment, despite the tears welling back up in her eyes. She knew this was goodbye. "Meowth, you're welcome to accompany me. I'm sure Jessie wouldn't deny you either. But it's time we really lived, and really became great."
Meowth sat in thought for a moment, then hugged James tightly. "Jimmy, you go on and be great. I'll take care of Jessie. Who knows? I might even help her win a contest or two." He said with a smile. James nodded, and turned to walk away, the sun beginning to set in the horizon.
"I'll really miss him." Jessie said as she watched him walk away. In the distance, James could hear her voice, and wiped a lone tear from his face. There would be a time to mourn later. For now, he had things to do.