Jethro's New Project

Jet woke up to bright sunlight as Misty opened the curtains to her room. He grunted and pulled the blanket over his head. Misty, however, had other ideas. She pulled the blanket off the bed and said, "Come on! Up! I'm leaving for work in a half hour and I got to drop you off."

Jet sat up and said irritably, "Can't I just sleep in and take a cab?"

"And eat up all my cereal?" Misty laughed, "I don't think so, buddy! C'mon, get up so I can make the bed. And brush your teeth so I don't have to smell your morning breath!"

Jet grumbled incomprehensively but got out of bed all the same. He went into the bathroom as Misty made her bed. They had slept over at each other's apartments for three nights straight without any major incident. As Jet brushed his teeth, he thought to himself that perhaps this meant they were getting back together. He doubted it; Misty could hold grudges like no other. Still, a guy could hope.

After washing up and getting dressed, Jet followed Misty to her car so she could drop him off. For the first five minutes of the car ride, there was complete silence between them as Misty listened to her morning radio.

Jet found this practice of hers extremely irritating, as she played her music at high volumes despite the fact that he hadn't fully woken up yet.

"You mind turning that down, a little?"

Misty took a sip of her coffee and said, "We've been through this, Jet! I need my music to wake up in the morning!"

Jet reclined his seat irritably and put his hood up. Misty sucked her teeth and turned the radio off, "Are you really going to sit there and throw a tantrum, Jet? Are you four?"

"What tantrum?" Jet asked, clearly annoyed, "I just put my seat back, I'm not even mad!"

"Oh, ho!" Misty gave a sarcastic laugh, "you're definitely mad!"

Jet was about to retort, but stopped himself, "You're trying to pick a fight, aren't you?"

Misty gave another sarcastic laugh, "I'm trying to pick a fight? You're the one sulking like a fucking toddler!"

Jet put his seat back up and glared at Misty, "You're so-" But exactly what Misty was, she never found out. Jet's phone began to ring loudly. Jet checked the caller ID and saw it was Bill calling. Deciding he'd rather talk to his boss than pick a fight with his girlfriend, Jet answered the call.

"Yo, anyone ever tell you that you call way too early in the morning?" Jet informed him.

Bill laughed and said, "You say that every time I call! Listen, I'm heading to the club a little early, so I need you to come early too."

"Yeah?" Jet replied, "How early we talking?"

"Noon."

"That's not that bad," Jet said, nonchalantly, "But listen, there's this trainer I want you to meet later tonight. This guy AJ."

"Oh really?" Bill asked curiously, "What's so special about him?"

"His style of training," Jet said while scratching his nose, "You'll see when he battles tonight. This guy is going to the regionals soon, I guarantee it."

Bill laughed, "And I suppose you know this from past experience?"

"Don't believe me then," Jet said, amused, "see for yourself! You're the one that likes to network with all the big names, right? I got a feeling about this one. He's gonna be big."

"Alright, mate, bring him down! Just be at the club at noon, got it?"

"Yeah, boss," Jet replied, "I'll be there."

Bill hung up, and Jet reclined his seat once more. Misty gave him a sideways glance and asked, "He still replacing you as manager?"

"Yup," Jet answered while closing his eyes, "I meet my replacement tonight."

Misty was silent for a second, and then asked, "You upset about it at all?"

"Nope."

Misty bit her lip and asked, "So what are you going to do now that you don't have a job anymore?"

Jet shrugged, "I'm good for money."

"I know that!" Misty said with a hint of impatience in her voice, "I mean are you staying in town or what?"

Jet thought about his answer, "For a little bit, I suppose. I want to start collecting badges again. I was thinking about heading to Chestnut Hill to challenge the Gym there."

"In Chestnut Hill?" Misty scoffed, "That Gym isn't even a real challenge! That guy hands out badges like candy on Halloween!"

Jet opened his eyes and looked at Misty, "Do you want me to stay?"

Misty felt her cheeks go hot, "What? Don't be-"

"Because if you asked me to stay," Jet cut over her, "I might just be tempted to."

Misty stayed silent for a moment. She then said in a flat voice, "We're broken up, Jet. You and I going to have to cut the cord sometime."

Jet felt a tightness in his throat at these words. He didn't say anything else to Misty for the rest of the ride, nor she him. They sat in silence for a few minutes until Misty pulled up in front of Jet's apartment building.

Jet unbuckled his seatbelt and said, "Thanks for the ride." Without another word, he got out of the car, shut the door, and left Misty behind without turning back.

XXX

Jet opened the door to the VIP room of the battle club. Bill was already there talking with Johnny, (the promoter), Andre, (head of security), and a girl Jet didn't know. At the sound of the door closing, Bill looked up and said, "There you are. Jethro, this is Tina, Tina, this is Jethro."

Tina stood up to shake Jet's hand and asked, "You really the one who showed Bill how to evolve a Magikarp?"

Since the time Jet showed Bill how he evolved Hydra, Bill had single handedly trained and evolved about five Magikarp into Gyarados. He made headlines as the world record holder for evolving more Magikarp than any other trainer in history.

Jet laughed, "Nah, I just showed him how I evolved mine. Bill reinvented the regiment I used. That's all him."

Bill took a sip of his drink before saying, "I've been having trainers from all over the world ask me what my secret is."

Jet sat down in a chair opposite Bill and asked, "And what do you say?"

"I tell them I'm writing a book about it soon. They can buy a copy and learn for themselves."

Jet smirked, "Always the entrepreneur, aren't you?"

"Yeah, well," Bill looked pleased with himself, "we all have our talents. Johnny, Andre, why don't you take Ms. Tina here and show her around the club? Give me and Jethro some privacy."

Bill waited until the three of them left before telling Jet, "Pour yourself a drink, mate."

Jet leaned over the coffee table between them, grabbed a glass, and poured himself a small amount of scotch. Bill pointed to the door and said, "That girl there, lightning beneath the sheets! I could have her give you a go if you'd like."

Jet shook his head, "I think I'll pass. Thanks, though."

Bill leaned back and took another sip of his drink, "One of these days I'm going to get you to loosen up mate! You're too young to be so damn grim all the time."

"Yeah, yeah," Jet said taking a sip of his scotch, "but you didn't bring me out here to sleep with random hookers now did you?"

Bill laughed, "She's no hooker, mate! She's you're replacement! She used to work as an administrator at the Goldenrod Gym!"

Jet raised his eyebrow, "Then why did you ask me-? You know what, never mind!" He laughed and took another sip.

Bill looked out to the sand pit and said, "The DJ is a nice touch."

"Yeah," Jet said while pouring himself another glass, "Got the idea from this battle club out in Viridian."

"You don't say?" said Bill thoughtfully, "So what do you think of my opening a chain of these battle clubs? I've experimented with this one, and it seems mildly successful. Those battle competitions you've been holding have been bringing in the crowds."

"I think," Jet began, "You should change the name. Nothing stupid like 'Faust' and nothing as cheesy as 'Bill's Battle Club'."

Bill snorted, "Cheesy, is it?"

"It's corny," Jet continued, "You want to make the place cool. You want to make it the chill spot not just for trainers, but everyone who loves watching battles but have nothing to do with their night."

Bill nodded, "Fair point."

Jet frowned, "This what you wanted to come in early to talk to me about? The chain of Battle Clubs? I thought you said last week that you wanted my advice for a new idea you had. We already talked about the whole Battle Club thing over the phone, I have nothing to offer you there. You're better off hiring-"

"No, you're not business oriented enough for me to need you for that," Bill said waving his hand impatiently, "I was just making conversation. I got this other thing; something big."

Jet leaned forward and said, "I'm listening."

"Pokémon Daycare." Bill said, "Incorporated."

Jet raised his eyebrows, "A chain of Pokémon daycare centers? I don't get it. How is this new?"

Bill stood up and said, "How many Daycare Centers do you know that aren't independent businesses?"

Jet frowned, "None. But I don't see your point."

"People take their Pokémon to daycare when they want someone else to train their Pokémon for them!" Bill began enthusiastically, "But I'm thinking that we standardize the training at Daycare locations across the region so when a Trainer drops their Pokémon off, they get the same experience as they would being trained by myself!"

Jet started to catch on, "So you want make an standard operating procedure for raising Pokémon? That's- actually, that's a pretty fucking good idea!"

Bill sat back down and leaned forward, "It has to be done right! I need experienced trainers, gym leaders, field experts, as many as I can find. I want an SOP for training every type of Pokémon! I want to label that shit, and sell it to everyone who wants their Pokémon trained the same way the champs train their own! This shit is going to be my legacy! I am going to redefine how Pokémon training is done!

"I got the idea from standardizing the training regimen I used to evolve all those Magikarp. Everyone thinks it's impossible, but you were right! If you just have patience and some creative thinking, a Magikarp can learn to fight just as any other Pokémon!"

"Glad I can help," Jet said, "But still, I'm not sure if I can fully endorse people relying on an outside source to train their Pokémon. Working with them face to face is the best way to build a bond."

Bill nodded, "No one is denying that, mate. Let me ask you a question; Haven't you ever wondered how your Pokémon got so strong, so fast while so many other trainers are stuck with low level fighters?"

Jet laughed, "I always just attributed it to having a talent for training. Some people are athletes, some are singers. I just happen to be a gifted trainer."

Bill smiled, "No one is denying that, mate. But it isn't just skill. It's because you're out there in the field of fire battling your Pokémon, day and night, perfecting their attacks and building your bond. Every trainer that has accomplished anything has done the same. It comes down to tenacity mate. And not all trainers have that. They want strong Pokémon, but they don't want to train them their selves. It's dangerous work. It's dirty work. It's hard as hell, especially if you don't know what you're doing and don't have a strategy oriented mind."

"Ok," Jet said, "So not everybody has what it takes to training in the field. I get it."

Bill poured himself another glass and said, "People love Pokémon. They love battling with them. They love keeping them as pets. However, the sad truth of it is, most people hate training their Pokémon! If they don't have confidence, their Pokémon don't listen. If the Pokémon doesn't listen or respect the trainer, how can the trainer properly teach that Pokémon attacks? Assuming they even know how to! If the Pokémon doesn't learn how to fight properly, it will lose battles and won't be able to grow. It's a vicious cycle.

"I want to provide a service in which we teach the Pokémon how to fight for the trainer, so they can battle together and grow together!"

Jet smirked, "Yeah, yeah, you just want people to give you money because you can raise their Pokémon better than they can!"

Bill laughed and pointed at Jet, "Hit the nail on the hammer with that one, you did! But let me ask you another question; how many trainer's will benefit from a guide book that shows them how to raise a Pokémon properly?"

Jet took a sip of his scotch and smiled, "I could think of a few people."

Bill put his glass down and pulled a check out of his jacket, "For you, mate."

Jet looked down at the check; it was made out to a hundred thousand dollars.

"Bill, what-"

Bill picked his glass back up and said, "I once owned no Gyarados, and now I have five. Each one of them is worth much more than that check you hold in your hand. I am currently writing a how to guide on how to evolve a Magikarp. I'm now setting plans in motion for one of the biggest business ventures of my life, mate. Almost as big as the storage system; which I worked on with teams of other people by the way! You started all this. This is your compensation. It's not a gift, or charity. It's nothing more than what you deserve. Now take the bloody check."

Jet was at a loss for words, so he just folded the check and put it in his pocket. Bill took another sip and said, "I want you helping me write this SOP, Jethro. You're collecting data for Oak, yes? Keep a journal for me. I know you keep records and journals on training methods and battle strategies. Keep doing what you're doing, but do it for me. This project of mine, it's going to take years to finish. I already have a few trainers sending me their ideas for this thing, but I want you on board too. Let's say, one report a month on new training methods and battle strategies that you think may add on to our venture, and I will review your findings and pay you accordingly for what you give me. How much you get paid will depend on the contents of your reports. Give me crap, and you'll get pennies. Stumble on another gold mine like you did with that Magikarp training regimen, and find yourself properly rewarded for your efforts. What do you say, Jethro? Do we have an accord?"

Bill held out his hand, and Jet took it, smiling, "When's my deadline?"

"The fifteenth of every month, starting next month. I already have your information to set up a direct deposit. We're making history, here, Jethro. You're part of something big, now."

Jet nodded, "This SOP, we're doing, who's all going to be involved?"

"As many experts as I can find," Bill answered, "Why?"

Jet leaned back and said, "I think I can get Professor Oak to cosign this thing. I may have to stop by Pallet Town to talk to him."

Bill grinned and said, "Taking initiative, I like that! Come now, let's have another drink!"

XXX

AJ walked into the battle club to music playing over the loudspeakers. There were a bunch of trainers there, along with other youngsters who seemed to be just spectating. AJ walked up to the security guy who was checking ID's.

"Hey, a guy named Jet told me to meet him here. He sa-"

"You AJ?"

AJ nodded. The bouncer pointed at a door all the way to the right of the club, "Straight through the door, up the stairs, into the VIP room."

Surprised that Jet was able to get him into the VIP, AJ followed the Bouncer's directions up the stairs. When he arrived in the VIP, he opened the door to find Bill Brooke pouring drinks for his guests. The room had about nine girls inside, (All with short skirts and high heels), a barkeep, Jet, a couple security gaurds, and Bill Brooke himself. When Jet saw AJ come in he waved him over.

"AJ Thompson, meet Bill Brooke; Bill, this is the trainer I told you about."

Bill shook AJ's hand and said, "Here, come take a shot with us!"

AJ scratched the back of his head and said, "Sure, I'm down!"

Bill poured an extra glass and said, "Alright ladies, all at once now!" Everyone took a shot together and slammed down their shot glasses. The girls all went "Woooo!" And Bill began to pour more shots. Jet laughed and said, "I'm out, dude, I'm already way past my limit!"

Bill chuckled, "You can't stop now, mate! This is the first time I've seen you drunk! I want to see how far we can take this! Come now, let's do body shots!"

A couple of girls started to giggle as Bill called for the bartender to bring limes, sugar, salt, and southern comfort. AJ turned to Jet and asked, "Aren't you going to introduce me to the rest of your friends?"

Jet laughed, "I would if I knew any of them! Wherever Bill goes, a flock of beautiful girls always seems to find him!" He was clearly heavily intoxicated. AJ made it his goal for the night to get as drunk as Jet was; more so if he could manage it.

Bill told one of the girls, "Mandy, if you would, love?"

A cute blonde grinned at Jet as she pulled her shirt up slightly to reveal her stomach and laid flat on the couch. Bill placed a lime in her mouth, sprinkled some sugar and salt on her belly, and poured a small shot of Southern Comfort in her naval. He then told Jet, "It's real simple, mate. Take the shot, lick the sugar, and take the lime, got it?"

As an answer, Jet leaned down and sipped the drink from Mandy's naval, licked her belly slowly, and took the lime from her mouth before making out with her. He then stood up and told Bill, "If I need instructions, I'll let you know."

Mandy giggled and began to rub on Jet's chest. They then sat down in a chair together and started making out again. Bill turned to AJ and said, "Your turn, mate!"

Several body shots were done that night. Jet and Mandy disappeared for a little while AJ told Bill and the girls about how he got into Pokémon training. He told them about his hundred wins and his lost to Surge. Tina, a girl that was sitting on Bill's lap, said, "Oh wow, all that work for nothing!"

Bill turned to Tina, "Little tactless, love, don't you think?" He then turned back to AJ, "I know Surge. Right asshole he is. Still felt kind of bad for him when I heard what Jethro's Charmeleon did to his Beartic."

AJ looked at Bill curiously, "Wait, what did he do to Surge's Pokémon?"

"Killed it." Bill said nonchalantly, "They resuscitated it but I think it's paralyzed. It was all over the news."

AJ laughed, "Well I'll be damned! Never figured Jet for the blood thirsty type."

Bill nodded in AJ's direction and said, "When he gets back, you two should battle! I need some entertainment. Most of the trainers in this place aren't exactly the most talented people in the world. I want a real fight."

One of the girls asked Bill, "Why don't you just battle him? I don't think your friend's coming back for a while!"

Bill shook his head, "That wouldn't even be a competition, love."

XXX

Jet did not get back for another half hour. Upon entering the room, Jet announced to everyone, "We ordered pizza! Should be here in a little bit!"

Mandy walked in the room behind Jet. Her hair was slightly puffed up and she wore a little smile on her face as she joined some of the other girls by the window to watch the battles below.

Jet flopped down in a chair near AJ, Bill, and Tina and asked, "So AJ, where've you been training at lately? I know you didn't stay in Viridian for the past six months."

AJ looked at Bill and then back at Jet, "All over. I've been to Saffron City, Okra Village, Lavender Town. I actually spent a whole day training in the Pokémon tower."

Jet sat up, interested. "What's it like there?"

The Pokémon Tower was the nick name for an old abandoned prison that was infested with Ghastly and Haunter. It was shut down years ago when the warden was unable to get rid of these ghosts, and they ended up killing a bunch of the residents within. Nowadays the place was blocked off from all humans in the area. Still, brave trainers have attempted to sneak in and capture one of the ghosts for themselves, but few had ever returned to tell the tale.

"It's some intense shit, man!" AJ had informed Jet, "I refused to go during dark because that's when all of the Ghastly are awake. But there are skeletons of dead bodies all over the place. Plus there's like an ongoing war in there between all the Cubone and all the Rattata. I saw three Cubone facing like twenty Rattata at once while I was there. I barely escaped with my life!"

Jet laughed, "Holy shit, I got to go there!"

Tina stared, "So you here there's a dangerous place filled with bloodthirsty rats and ghosts and you want to go there?"

"And that, love," Bill said grinning, "Is exactly why Jethro here is a real trainer. Too many Pokémon Trainers lack tenacity. You have to go to the most dangerous places and face the strongest enemies if you want to grow stronger."

AJ raised his glass, "Amen, brother! Nobody got anywhere by catching wild Pidgey that eat bread in the park! You got to go down in the sewers and battle your way through the weak ass Rattata before you can capture the prized Raticate!"

Jet laughed and said, "That a true story, AJ?"

"Yep," AJ said, nonchalantly, "Took weeks for me and my Poliwhirl to stop stinking. That Raticate, though, talented fighter. Works hard in every battle. When you find one Pokémon that rose above the dregs to evolve into something more, you know you caught yourself a fighter!"

"Couldn't agree more!" Laughed Bill.

Jet shook his head, "I prefer to catch them young. Every Pokémon has potential. I'd love to visit the Pokémon tower though! I've been spending my time out here training at that old abandoned power plant."

Bill snapped his fingers and pointed at Jet, "That's where I caught my first Elekid!"

"Wait," Tina interjected, "What power plant?"

"Yeah," AJ asked, interested, "what power plant?"

The old abandoned Power Plant Jet and Bill were talking about was down the river from Cerulean Cape. It was huge, and full of electric Pokémon. The story went that seventy years ago, back when power plants used Pokémon to help generate energy, a Magneton got tired of working for the humans and escaped, releasing his Magnemite brethren in the process. The half electric half steel type Pokémon laid waste to the power plant. The Voltorb and Electrode got loose as well and joined the killing spree. Ever since, the place has become a breeding ground for electric types, and a dangerous one at that.

"I got to go there!" AJ said excitedly, "I don't have any electric type Pokémon!"

Jet smiled and said, "I'll come with you, show you around. Besides, I've been looking for an Elekid down there but haven't found one yet."

Bill chimed in, "Oh, they're down there! I'll go with you two. I have an Eevee that I believe is close to evolving. Maybe some training down there may help her evolve into a Jolteon."

"That's how my Pikachu evolved," Jet said, casually, "He ended up frying a wild Grimer and became a Raichu. There is so much static electricity in the air at that place."

Tina shook her head, "You three are crazy! I can't believe you would willingly walk into place with hundreds of Pokémon just waiting to fry you there!"

Bill, AJ, and Jet all stared at Tina for a second in silence. Jet then asked, "So, yeah, this weekend sound good? We can all meet here Saturday around noon."

AJ nodded and said, "Sounds like a plan."

Bill clapped his hands together and said, "You two need to battle! I've been waiting for a good fight all night!"

Jet shook his head, "Dude, I'm faded as shit right now! I'm not going to send my Pokémon into battle while I'm inebriated; not happening. Tomorrow though," he turned to AJ, "If you stop by round eight. We'll battle sober; a real match."

AJ laughed, "You mean you never tried battling drunk? It's fun as hell. Shit, I'm thinking about going down there and earning me some money right now!"

Jet shrugged and leaned back, "Have fun."

AJ left the VIP ten minutes later to battle in the sand pit. Bill sent Tina away to watch the fights by the window with the other girls. He leaned in and told Jet, "Your boy there seems to know what he's talking about, but he doesn't like talking about his training methods! And the whole whip thing is way too unorthodox."

Jet nodded and said, "I can see that."

Bill then asked, "What about your friends? The one with the glasses and the redhead? They as good as you?"

"No." Jet wouldn't talk ill of his friends, but he realized a while ago that they are still rookies. Perhaps they got better over the past few months, but when Jet last saw them they were doing little things they shouldn't. Brian only trained his Pokémon by having them constantly battle instead of perfecting their attacks as he should, and he didn't have the confidence to command respect from untamed Pokémon. Amy did a good job with Ivysaur, but she neglected her other Pokémon. Neither, Jet knew, would be fit to help write Bill's how to manuals until they improved.

"Misty's good though." Jet said as an afterthought, "She has a mainly offensive style that's a little similar to my own. If she spent as much time training her Pokémon as I did, she'd probably end up better than Surge in a matter of months."

Bill raised his eyebrows, "You think you're better than Surge?"

Jet laughed, "Not yet, but I bet you by the end of the year I'll surpass him!"

Bill stood up and asked, "Could you bring Misty here tomorrow night for an interview? I just want to talk to her, see if she's interested."

Jet wasn't very enthusiastic about talking to Misty again, but he said, "Sure."

Author's Notes:

Most of the next chapter is going to be all battles. Soon Jet will be back in action! What challenges will our heroes face at the abandoned Power Plant? How will he fair against an unorthodox trainer like AJ? Find out in the next chapter!

And as always, please review!