Chapter 2:

Team Rocket peered through bushes. The training ground had a deserted feel to it. No people, no Pokemon were trying to accomplish a top performance. Spotlights illuminated the obstacle course. It was as quiet as a mouse, one could hear crickets chirping.

„See the terrace over there?" James pointed direction main building.

„That is where we first met", he added.

Jessie slightly pinched her eyes together, she had difficulties recognizing anything, a negative side-effect of her brain concussion. She had terrible headaches.

„Doesn't look familiar to me", she said, sighing deeply.
„How was our first reunion?", Jessie wanted to know.

James indulged in reminiscences. He could clearly remember that evening.

„I've been assigned to your team. You were a purposeful and aspiring young lady, but unfortunately, you had lost so many partners that the officers were thinking about giving this exceptional talent up. You clarified from the beginning that you wouldn't be carrying me around, you were in search of a congenial, ambitious and team-minded partner and the organisation thought that I might possibly be your perfect match", James explained.

„Are you the perfect match? I mean, are we succesful and feared thieves?", she asked.

James shook his head. „We used to be terrific. We almost managed it to pass the final trainee test, given the fact that I was badly injured", James told her.

„Two questions? What was the final test and how did you get injured?"

„One of our first tasks to become agents was to reach a target location in the wilderness in 24 hours. We had to cross a rickety bridge and you were able to get to the other side, but then it collapsed. You grabbed my arm, but I had to let go, because I thought it would be for the best. I almost drowned and suffered grave breaches, but I promised you the night before that I would never leave you and Meowth behind and I kept that promise. I caught up on you two, wrapped in gauze and bandages, because there was a mission to fulfil. You were visibly moved, turned away and tried to swallow the tears, for you couldn't stand being emotional. You're a tough woman and no one brings you out of balance very easily", he laid a hand on her shoulder.

„About the final test, we had to steal a Snorlax from an office tower. Only two teams were left, ours and Butch and Cassidy. Just for the record, you can't stand her and you've been rivals ever since", he stated. „Butch fell into a trap, so did Meowth and I but you rushed to help and pulled us up, I landed on top of you, and believe me, it was more than akward", he snickerd.

Jessie nodded, she seemed concerned.

„James, earlier on you told me that my mother was a Team Rocket agent too. Tell me a little bit about her", she begged.

Meowth gazed at his lavender-haired friend, how should he break it to her gently?
Both didn't know how Jessie would react on Job's news.

„Her name was Miyamoto, she went on an expidition to capture Mew, because she was one of the first agents to find tangible evidence of this legendary Pokemon. She was a fantastic and a class A Rocket", James told her.

„Why do you use the word ‚was'?", Jessie wondered. „Where is she?", question after question and James felt excessively sad, he was forced to deliver some bad news.

„Jessie", he carefully grabbed her hands, „no one knows, where she is. There are repeated rumours that she might still be looking for Mew, but the majority believes that she didn't make it, I'm sorry", he whispered.

Jessie had tears in her eyes. She sobbed. „What about my father?"

„You never mentioned your father during our long-lasting collaboration. The only thing you ever told us, was that you grew up at the orphanage, your mother considered that she would fetch you back after her mission", he was hardly able look her in the eyes.

„Do I have siblings?", she asked.

„No, Jess."

„So, that means, I'm alone and all by myself in this world?", she concluded.

„Not exactly, you got us, Meowth and me. We're like family, we stick together, we support each other, we give each other encouragement and we won't ever leave each other in the lurch", he answered.

„He's right, even though yous would love to shoot us to the moon from time to time, we would never leave yous side", Meowth piped up.

Jessie smiled. „Thank you, I really appreciate that. It's just...forget it".

„What, Jessie?", James wanted to know.

„Maybe, my mother could have given me advice on how to improve my tactic and my general procedure. She could have educated me to independence and quick-witedness, but also be a warm-hearted mom, who takes her daughter in her arms when she's sad or frightened or afflicted, I missed everything", she spoke her thoughts aloud.

„You don't lack quick-witedenss", Meowth put his oar in. „And yous get enough hugs and grant from dis guy", it added, pointing his paw at James.

„That's small comfort", James remarked.

„What happens now? Are we still the notorious rascals?", Jessie asked.

„Not really, we're at risk of food and poverty, spend our salary on useless and defective machines and try to catch that Pikachu from Ash", he replied.

„Who is Ash?", she wondered.

„Yous don't remember the twerp and his bonkers friends? He's an anathema to us, he wants, by his own account, become a Pokémon-Master but until now, he lost every competition. He's very young, lives in a dream world and we're keen to snatch his beloved Pikachu and deliver it to our boss, Giovanni", Meowth explained.

„He's a tough nut to crack, our plans are complete flops, but let's change the subject, you'll meet him soon enough", James said.

„Thank you for bringing me back to the training location and for telling me stories about my past and my non existant family, but it didn't help, I apologize. My brain is still blinding out familiar faces and events", she looked to the ground.

„We will make a further attempt to bring back your memory, I promise", James said.

‚James is indescribably attentive, he must be an ideal companion, fond and charming, a true and supporting friend, he's witty and ingenious, lets the others go ahead. Why didn't my former self notice this wonderful qualities? Why did I disdain him?', Jessie thought.