Coauthor: Nitro Zeus
Outside Viridian City
Ash and Serena had left the city when they noticed a missing person poster. This poster was of someone they had seen on a wanted poster just much younger.
"Hey Serena, didn't we see a similar person on another poster?" Ash crossed his arms. "I think he was named James."
"That's right Ash." Serena stated. "That said, the boy in this photo looks much nicer than the teen on the wanted poster."
Pikachu nodded in agreement. "Pikachu."
At that moment, a long limo came to a stop, and an older man with a megaphone came out. "Have you seen that boy in that photo!?"
"Seen him?" Ash questioned. "I suppose we have, but…"
"Joy! Eureka! Quick to the estate!" The man exclaimed.
Before Ash or Serena could speak up, the butler dragged both into the limo and took off. A few seconds later, James, Jessie, and Meowth of Team Rocket came out of the brush. Jessie and Meowth looked at the poster while James slowly came up behind them.
"Hmmm, this kid looks a lot like you James." Jessie pointed out.
"You think so?" James was pretending not to notice. "If you ask me, he looks pathetic."
Meowth smirks. "That's what she meant Jimmy."
"This is too good to pass up!" Jessie stated. "I say we investigate."
"Right there with you." Meowth stated.
Jessie and Meowth ran on ahead while James stays behind. "I can't believe I'm back here again. I had hoped I would never see this place again. Those horrible memories of this place… Especially her."
Jessie and Meowth came back to him.
"James!" Jessie shouted.
"Whatcha waiting for?" Meowth asked.
"I think I'll stay here." James stated casually.
"No, you won't!" Jessie and Meowth yelled.
They lifted James and dashed off in the direction of the limo.
Limo
Serena and Ash were in the limo with the butler sat across from them. "I do apologize for dragging you two into this. I haven't even introduced myself yet. My name is Hopkins, and I serve as butler of the estate of Master James." Hopkins stated.
"So, it is that James guy." Ash confirmed.
"Can you tell me about him? Can you give me even the smallest detail?" Hopkins asked.
"Before you dragged us in, Ash was going to tell you that we've only seen James on a wanted poster." Serena stated.
Ash crossed his arms. "He was wearing the uniform, so he must be part of the same organization as Beach and Cassidy."
"Ah yes, those wanted posters." Hopkins sighed sadly. "Oh, to think Master James would fall in with Team Rocket. His mother and father would be so disappointed." He smiled. "Regardless, you two provided me with information, so a stay at the estate is the least I can do."
"I don't know about this." Ash stated.
"Come on Ash." Serena cupped her hands. "It could be fun."
"Well, alright." Ash nodded. "How much further is this place?"
The limo came to a stop and Hopkins smiled. "We've actually arrived."
Once the limo stopped, Ash and Serena gazed upon the mansion before them.
"This place is huge!" Ash exclaimed.
"It sure is." Serena nodded. "I've seen shopping malls smaller than this."
"That is not the mansion." Hopkins stated. "This doghouse is for Master James's faithful Growlithe, Growlie." Hopkins gestures behind them to a building many times bigger than the doghouse. "That there is the estate. Now, if you would follow me."
The pair followed while Jessie and Meowth popped out of a bush.
"Oh wow!" Jessie said in amazement.
"I'll say." Meowth added.
"We're in a life of luxury," Jessie beamed.
"We've hit the jackpot!" Jessie and Meowth sang.
James popped up and was clearly saddened to be here.
Inside
Ash and Serena saw two coffins laying in a bed of white roses. Above them was a portrait of young James holding a small Growlithe and his parents.
James's father has dark gray hair and green eyes. He wore a dark green overcoat with a red vest above a white shirt with a violet tie. His mother has purple hair and brown eyes. She wore a red dress along with red high heel shoe.
"Coffins?" Serena asked sadly. "Was there a funeral here?"
"My master and mistress had only one child. A boy named James. When he ran away, they were heart broken and searched everywhere for him." Hopkins sadly shook his head. "Unfortunately, they often ignored their own health and passed away this morning. The estate is now his."
Ash, Serena, and Pikachu were all shocked to hear that.
"You mean this place belongs to that James guy?" Ash asked.
Vents
Team Rocket, who was in the vents, had heard everything.
"You mean to tell us this whole estate is going to belong to you!?" Jessie questioned in shock.
"Way to keep us in the dark!" Meowth added.
James didn't say anything. He knew his parents better than anyone and wasn't the least bit convinced they were dead.
Room
"I can't imagine if I left my mom like that." Ash stated sympathetically.
"I just hope you find him soon to tell him the news." Serena added.
"Soon won't do!" Hopkins spoke through the megaphone. "Their will clearly states that Master James must marry within twenty-four hours of their passing. If not, his estate will go to charity. I must find him at once.
"Well, good luck with that." Serena was rubbing her ears. "We should get going Ash."
Outside
The pair sat on the steps to discuss what happened.
"So, do you think we should help the butler?" Serena asked.
"Despite what he may be a part of, I'd like to help the guy." Ash sighed. "The problem is, I'm not sure where we could start looking. Especially with less than a day left to find him."
"No! I won't do it! I absolutely refuse!" James called out.
This caused the pair and Pikachu to look around.
"James, be careful!" Jessie exclaimed.
Team Rocket fell out of their hiding place and landed on the ground before the pair. Jessie and Meowth were arguing with James about going through with it. It was obvious they wouldn't stop by themselves.
"Pikachu?" Ash asked. "Mind giving us a hand with?"
"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded.
He gave the trio a thunder shock that was just strong enough to make them stop.
"Now that you're all calm, you could at least go say goodbye to your parents." Serena stated. "Sure, you may not have had the best relationship, but they're still the people that took care of you. You could at least say goodbye."
"Take care of? That's a laugh." James stated. "I am never setting foot in that building again."
"James, we're becoming annoyed with you." Jessie stated frustrated.
"Don't cha wanna be filthy stinking rich?" Meowth asked.
Over the arguing, Ash and Serena hadn't heard it before, but they sure as heck heard the talking Mewoth now. "Did that Mewoth just talk!?"
"I don't know." James was more concerned about the situation and had finally found an excuse. "Ah! I feel like my head is splitting! I can't remember anything!"
"What's the matter with him?" Ash asked.
"It's possible James has amnesia." Serena offered.
Pikachu nodded in agreement. "Pika."
"I remember flunking out of a prep school and joining a bicycle gang before joining Team Rocket." James rubbed his head in mock frustration. "Everything before that is a total blur with only one, clear memory to my name!"
"You know, these three don't seem nearly as serious as Bistro and Cassidy." Ash contemplated.
James continued. "It was a cold winter's night about 7 years ago…"
Flashback, Years Ago…
The scene opens with road as it snows. A young James and his Growlithe are walking down the street freezing.
"There was a boy and his faithful Growlithe, Growlie. The boy and his Growlithe hadn't eaten anything for days."
Young James fell and Growlie licks him.
"Brr. Growlie, I'm not going to make it. Leave me and save yourself." Young James looked towards the local church and sees the angels on the stained-glass windows. "The angels have come for me. Farewell... I leave this cruel world for a better place. Remember..."
Present Day…
"…The boy had passed on." James continued to narrate. "Little Growlie howled all night grieving for the boy until he was found the next day frozen solid."
Jessie, Meowth, and Ash were crying.
"That is so very sad!" Jessie cried.
"That poor kid!" Meowth stated.
Ash said, "I can't believe James is gone."
Serena was shocked they believed that when James was standing right there. "You three do know that the boy from James' story is right there, right?"
"Hey, that girl is right." Jessie stated angered once more.
"I can't believe I walked into that." Ash stated.
James looked to Jessie and Meowth, and he knew of only one way to possibly get out of what they had in mind. "I'm all mixed up!"
"Who cares what you remember?" Jessie questioned. "Just take the cash!"
"James can't have the inheritance unless he marries some girl within the day." Ash explained.
"Then, we'll fake the wedding and take the money." Jessie said.
"That's ridiculous!" James retorted.
"Ridiculous?" Jessie questioned. "This whole estate will be yours."
"Yeah!" Meowth cheered.
James ran. "I won't do it!"
"He's weakening." Jessie said.
"He'll see things our way." Meowth added.
Jessie and Meowth threw a couple of lassos at James and tied him up like a Christmas present.
"This isn't right." Serena stated. "Anyone should be free to decide if they want to get married or not."
Serena meant that. No matter how much she liked Ash, and it would hurt if he ended up rejecting her, she'd never force him to be with her.
"I don't like this one bit either, but I'm not sure what we can do." Ash crossed his arms and leaned over to his friend. "Maybe we should hang back. If James is in trouble, we can help him then."
A few minutes later, Jessie and Meowth had dressed James in a suit and gagged his mouth while they wore black clothing.
"This is great!" Meowth exclaimed.
"These costumes are perfect if I do say so myself!" Jessie stated.
They controlled James and walked him up to the door before making him knock.
"I'm coming!" Hopkins answered the door. "May I help you, sir?"
"It is I, James, and I have returned." Jessie stated in her best James impression.
"Welcome home, sir!" Hopkins stated through the megaphone. "Your parents will be most pleased to see that you have returned! Please come in!"
"Thank you." Jessie said in James's voice as she and Mewoth walked him in.
"Did that butler just say they will be pleased?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, why?" Ash asked.
Serena was starting to worry more about this whole situation. "I really don't like this Ash."
The pair entered the estate as well.
Inside
"Master and mistress, everything is set! Your son, James, has come home just as you wished." Hopkins stated proudly.
"Oh, mummy and daddy! I'm back to get my money!" Jessie stated. "Oh, I mean to get my honey. Yes, that's what I meant to say."
"Nice recovery." Meowth whispered.
"I'm going to get married, just as it says in your will, and I want cash rather than a check." Jessie said in James's voice.
"What's that?" Hopkins raised a brow.
"Oh, I was only joking." Jessie laughed. "Oh, how I wish I could have come back sooner."
Suddenly chuckling could be heard from the coffins before James's parents jumped out.
"Prepare for trouble!" James's father said.
"Yes, dear and make it double!" James' mother rhymed.
"Oh, James! We're so happy you've come back!" James's mother said.
"Not to mention, you're wearing a suit." James's father added.
"They're either alive…" Jessie began.
"…or they're the liveliest ghosts I have ever seen." Meowth finished.
James took off his gag. "They're not dead, you furry imbecile! It was a trap to get me back here! That was why I was trying to stay away! It's just like them to pull a stunt like this!" James exclaimed.
That made Jessie and Meowth suspicious.
"Does that mean..." Meowth started.
"...you don't have amnesia?" Jessie finished.
James realized what he just told them. "Where am I? Who am I?"
"Why you're James, and you're about to get married." James' father said.
"Hopkins, begin the preparations." James' mother ordered.
"Yes madame." Hopkins stated.
He grabbed all three Rocket members and ran up the stairs.
"I've got to escape!" James whispered.
"No, you're won't!" Jessie exclaimed. "You're tying the knot!"
"Jessie means you're tying the noose." Meowth joked.
James' parents followed them.
"You were right to be suspicious Serena." Ash stated. "They were faking their deaths just to get James into a marriage."
"I bet a million bucks they can see through their scheme to." Serena stated. "They're just eager to go along with it since Mewoth and Jessie want this to happen."
"Come on Serena." Ash started to climb the stairs. "I want to help James out of this."
"Hold on Ash." Serena ran over and put a hand on his shoulder. "We should observe them for a bit longer and wait for the opportune moment to help."
Ash wasn't certain what James' own parents had in store for him, but considering their faked deaths, he was certain it wouldn't be anything good. Still, Serena was the one who caught onto things faster, and he had to admit they wouldn't be much help to the guy in the wrong situation.
Ash nodded. "Alright, let's get up there."
Room
Jessie and Meowth promptly held James to a chair and covered his mouth while his parents and butler came to stand before him.
"I'm proud of you." James' father stated. "You realized you must uphold the family tradition."
"As our son and heir, you have certain obligations." James' mother added. "The most important one is to marry and continue the family line."
"Right." Jessie said disguising her voice.
James managed to get his mouth free, and he clearly wasn't happy. "Do I have an obligation to be manipulated over and over again!"
"We do not know what you are talking about." James' father claimed.
"We only want what's best for us…" James' mother shook her head. "…I mean you."
"A man without a wife is like a bumblebee without a nose. You'll never sniff the daffodils of life." James' father said.
"You'll learn to be a real gentleman once you marry the girl we've chosen for you." James' mother said. "Speaking of which, here she is!"
Hopkins turned James to face a young woman holding a fan to cover her face. She wore a dark pink, long gown with long white sleeves and matching dark pink high heels.
"As James' wife, it'll be your duty to change James from a worthless do-nothing into a respectful gentleman, my dear Jessebelle." James' mother continued.
"As you wish, mother." Jessebelle spoke with a voice much like Jessie's just with a southern accent.
"Am I hearing things, or is that another Jessie?" Ash asked confused.
"Meowth!" Meowth stated. "Her voice is catnip to my ears! That's what I call a real lady. Not a mean, tough, and nasty girl like Jessie."
Jessie conked Meowth on the head. "I'll show you mean and nasty!"
"My name is Jessebelle, and my only wish is to your devoted and loving companion." Jessebelle lowered her fan. "Of course, I also want to educate you in your duties as a gentleman of property."
Everyone was shocked.
"She looks like Jessie!" Meowth exclaimed.
"How dare you compare me to that wimp." Jessie grunted.
"Can you two knock it off?" James stated. "We need to get out of here right now."
"Don't be ridiculous." Jessie stated. "We won't get your inheritance if you don't get married. You've got to go through with it."
"If you won't get married for yourself, do it for the team." Meowth declared. "We need you to make us filthy rich."
"Forget the team!" James began to struggle. "I'm not doing it!"
"Is something wrong?" Jessebelle questioned. "Why ever do you keep talking to yourself like that James?" She then seemed to get an idea. "You know, why don't we go down to the vault and count the money you'll inherit?"
Basement
Serena and Ash continued to follow them while staying well outside their range. The group entered what looked like a torture chamber with work out equipment thrown in.
"What kind of an inheritance is this?" Jessie asked.
Meowth added, "It looks like a whole lot of weird gym equipment."
James finally got free. "Don't you fools get it? Jessebelle tricked you into bringing me down here."
"It's time for you to grow up my boy." James' father declared.
James' mother added, "You got to face the music."
Jessebelle now wore a dark red, formal short jacket with a white, long-sleeve button shirt, white pants, and thigh-high boots. "You can't do whatever you feel like anymore. Now, you'll obey Jessebelle."
"Nope. Nope. Nope." Serena shook her head. "Everything this girl is doing is being memorized as things I will never put Ash through. If someone is truly special, you should want them to return your love rather than terrify them into it."
Jessie and Meowth began fighting which seemed to finally draw the parent's attention.
"They see us." Meowth stated.
Jessie said, "Everything was fine until you opened your big mouth."
"Do you take us for fools?" James' father questioned.
James' mother said, "We just ignored you because you brought James down here for us."
"Now you see us…" Mewoth began.
Jessie pulled out a smoke bomb. "… and now you don't."
She threw it on the ground before scramming with Mewoth.
"Jessie! Meowth!" James was left behind coughing. "Don't leave me!"
Jessebelle was still there for James. "At last, we're together. I'm so happy!" James was terrified and started running. "You won't escape from me this time James!"
"Jessebelle, you really don't want me as your husband!" James was desperate. "I'm a wanted criminal of Team Rocket!"
"You don't have to worry about that." Jessebelle prepared her whip. "Your parents paid off the right people to get you a clean record. Now, let's begin your taming."
"That's enough." Ash looked at Pikachu. "Hit everyone but James with thunder shock buddy!"
Pikachu nodded before launching off Ash's arm while charging his electricity. "Pikachu!"
The electric mouse let lose hitting everyone in the room except for James. "Uh, what's going on?" He looked at Pikachu as his parents and Jessebelle fell over. "Why…"
"They won't be stunned forever!" Ash waved his arm. "Quick, let's get out of here!"
James hadn't gotten that kid's name, but he'd willing trust anyone over the people in this room. "Don't need to tell me twice." He ran over to them. "Let's get out of here!"
They booked it up the stairs.
Jessebelle got onto her elbows and looked after James' retreating back with a giggle. "You can run, but I'll follow you to the ends of the earth James dearest."
Outside
James, Ash with Pikachu back on his shoulder, and Serena rushed outside and were heading for the gates when James heard a familiar barking.
"Growlie!" James exclaimed. "We're leaving boy, and this time I'm not leaving you behind!"
A flame covered Growlithe, using flame charge, burst through the doors of the doghouse and came to run alongside James. Eventually, the group made it passed the gate, but they continued running well past that.
Viridian Forest
The group ended up running into the forest and eventually collapsed in a clearing panting.
"Not to be that person, but is this a safe enough location?" Serena asked.
"It should be fine." James stated. "When I ran from home the first time, a younger Jessebelle stopped chasing me about half the distance we traveled. Going over double that should give us breathing room." Growlie barked and began licking James. "Growlie, how I've missed you."
He hugged the puppy pokemon.
"Speaking of Jessebelle, what's your story with her?" Ash asked.
"When I ran away from home, I wanted freedom and to get away from her…" James began.
Flashback
"Once my engagement to Jessebelle was announced, she began following me around trying to change me! Nothing I did was refined enough for her! She even tried to make me get rid of Growlie for a Skitty!"
"Please leave me alone!" Young James pleaded. "I can't stand it! Growlie!"
Growlie ran out of his doghouse and joined James as he was being chased by Jessebelle who held an Oddish in her arms. "Where are you going James? I haven't finished showing you the correct way to eat spaghetti yet!"
"I want to do things my way Jessebelle!" James yelled.
"You're not running properly!" Jessebelle exclaimed. "I'll show you the correct way!"
Present
"Ever since I was a kid, I've hated how upper crust society has rules for absolutely everything. Jessebelle is so rich that marrying her would only bring me misery for the rest of my life!" James pet his Growlithe. "Growlie here was my only, real friend."
"I sometimes wondered what it would like to be rich." Serena sighed. "After hearing your account of it, I'm glad my mother and I have been where we are in life."
"Wait a minute." James was suddenly looking around slowly before becoming frantic. "Where are Jessie and Meowth?"
"You think they're still back at the mansion?" Ash asked.
"No, I mean where are they here?" James suddenly stood and began looking to the sky. "We have a Meowth hot air balloon we use to travel. Before heading to the estate, we set it down here."
Skies
Jessie and Meowth were drifting along, in their hot air balloon, feeling rather bummed out.
Jessie sighed. "Seems James ended up choosing to hang up his Team Rocket costume."
"I guess all that money and luxury was too tempting for Jimmy to pass on." Meowth stated. "Let's face it. With his parents wiping out his criminal record, he doesn't belong in Team Rocket. This is for the best."
"I suppose." Jessie looked to the sky. "It's just… after all the time we spent together, I never imagined this would be it." She shook her head. "Without him here, we'll have to get by with the two of us."
Viridian Forest
After finding the trace impact in the ground where the balloon had been, James collapsed to his knees in disbelief. "They really left me."
Growlie whined as he came to James' side and laid down next to him.
"Poor guy." Serena stated sympathetically.
"Yeah." Ash nodded. "Considering what his family's like, that Jessie and Mewoth didn't seem too bad… even if they did force him in there and were part of Team Rocket. Clearly, he cared more for them than his parents."
"I'm not even sure what I'll do now?" James stated to himself. "I could go back to Team Rocket, but if Jessie and Meowth don't want me, what's the point?"
Growlie continued to whine and licked James' hand bringing the guy some comfort.
Ash looked to Serena who had a good idea what he was going to offer, so she nodded. "Hey James!" James looked back at him. "We had a bad run in with some Team Rocket members in Viridian, but you don't seem that bad. If you want, you could join us."
"Really?" James asked hopefully before deflating. "I have no goal to shoot for anymore though."
"That's fine." Serena comforted. "Up until I set out on my journey, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my travels. Maybe if you travel with us or asks people you've met previously what you should do, you'll get an idea."
"Ask other people…" James had a general idea of who he could talk to, and that guy with the Pikachu did help him where Jessie and Meowth hadn't. "Well, I won't ever go home and traveling with you two is better than the nothing I have."
"Great!" Ash smiled and nodded. "My name is Ash Ketchum, and this is my partner, Pikachu."
Serena nodded. "My name is Serena Yvonne."
"You already know my first name, but I should introduce myself properly." James stood. "My name is James Lewis." Growlithe barked. "This is my best friend Growlie." He pulled out an old pokeball. "Speaking of which, I still have your pokeball right here."
He held it out to the puppy who sniffed the ball before hitting his nose against it. The pokeball took the pokemon in.
"Well, we're already in Viridian Forest, and we were originally heading to Pewter City for Ash's first gym battle." Serena stated. "Does that work for you James?"
James nodded. "I'm fine going wherever you two do."
So, the three of them set off deeper into the forest.
Now, you can argue that Jessie and Meowth are out of character; however, practically everything they did in this chapter was exactly what they did in the canon episode except taking the Hot Air Balloon. In that case, one has to wonder why they didn't originally take it since they already thought, despite the obvious signs, that James had left Team Rocket behind them.
As for Ash, and in this case Serena, one of Ash's best traits is how far he's willing to go to help people and pokemon; however, the canon episode had him, Misty, and Brock act as bystanders with their only contribution being helping let Growlie out. Growlie is a pokemon who jumped through windows and has fire moves. Unless his dog house is magically enchanted to withstand pokemon and fire, which it isn't due to Vilplume breaking in, then Growlie should be able to break out.
Hopefully, you all enjoyed.