Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Original Author's Note: What can I say… I recently finished Pokemon Pearl, and from that I rediscovered Pokemon and from there, I rediscovered Team Rocket. :) Let's face it, those guys are some of the most funny characters I've ever seen. And seriously, they have a much better character built than the main characters, with sad pasts and their evil-good complex… The problem is that the authors of the anime seem to forget that…
-_-'' Well, basically, the idea spawn from re-reading James' profile. The guy has Pokemon waiting for him a bit all over the world. So… Well, no point in reading notes. Just read the story! Enjoy!
New Author's Note (18/09/2013): *stares at the Poké Wars series* ... Okay. I need to get my butt into gear and give this story the respect it deserves. Thanks for the moment of clarity, Cornova. New title, edited chapters, more chapters to come!
Prologue
"Atchoom!"
A little cold. Things that happen when you walk around in a damp forest wearing nothing but a light outfit and a scarf. Even if James had gotten used to it over the years, that didn't mean it was an occurrence he liked. Heaven forbid that they convinced Jessie to buy something useful instead of all those outfits. And another thing that he hated was being alone in the middle of a forest, but there he was: no Meowth, no Jessie… Just him, the cold and the forest.
"Damn, I didn't remember Kanto to be still this cold, in April…" 'Then again, I didn't exactly plan on returning here.'
Flashback
Pappaparaparaparaparapara
Pappaparapappaa! (Sonansu!)
The quiet of the Sinnoh wilderness was broke by the chaos of technology. Even if it was just something as simple and innocent as a song. "James, what the hell is this song?" Jessie asked, surprised since it came from her partner's clothes.
Pappaparaparaparaparapara
Maemuki Roketto-Daaaaan!
"Oh. It's my Pokenav." James replied nonchalantly as he fished for the device in his pockets. Jessie stared. For a few seconds. Then...
"YOU GOT A POKENAV?!" Jessie looked ready to jump and strangle the hell out of her companion, remembering all the times they were forced to look for a payphone to make even the shortest call. "WHY THE HELL DID YOU NEVER TELL US?!"
"Ehm, it's a really particular model. It can only call and be reached by certain numbers." The violet haired man forced himself to ignore the avatar of fury and promised pain which Jessie so frequently turned into and answered the call. "Moshi moshi?"
Young master, good morning.
"Ah! Eiji! What a surprise! How are you?"
"Eiji?" Whispered Jessie to Meowth, lowering her head to him.
"I think it's the old man who takes care of his family's vacation home along with his wife…" Meowth whispered back.
"Ahhh..." Jessie let out, remembering that occasion, and then returned her full attention to James.
"It's been so long since we talked... What's the occasion?"
Eheheh… A joyful one, young master. James blinked. Why was Eiji being so enigmatic? I'm happy to announce that your friend, that you left with us some time ago, has made a full recovery.
"E-Eh? You don't mean…!" Suddenly, James heard a very familiar sound coming from the Pokenav. A sound that he had stopped hearing ever since the little Pokemon that produced it fell ill. "Chimecho!"
Exactly, young master. He's up and well. And he's eager to see you again.
"I-I'm so glad!" James's eyes teared up, and he covered his face with one arm as the tears reached the waterfall phase. "I-I'll come as soon as I can! Just wait!"
Of course, young master. Have a nice day.
James terminated the call and turned, beaming and any trace of tears gone, to his companions.
"Great news! Chimecho is completely! Shall we go?!" He wasn't met with the enthusiasm he expected. Jessie and Meowth were regarding him with flat stares. "… Hm?" James blinked. "What is it, guys?"
Jessie put a hand over her eyes and began to massage her poor temples, which she felt were about to burst. "James, answer this question. Where in the world are we, now?"
"The region of Sinnoh?" James didn't get… Oh. Wait. He was starting to.
"And… Where is de place where you left your Chimecho?" Asked Meowth, who was just crossing his arms. With claws and an enormous head is a bit difficult to massage your temples.
"Ehm… A mansion near Saffron city, in the region of Kanto?"
"Right… THAT MEANS THAT BETWEEN US AND THERE THERE'S A BIT OF DISTANCE!" Jessie exploded, even if not as much in anger as in exasperation.
"I-I can just take a ship to Olivine city from Sunnyshore city, and then take another from there to Vermilion city. From there, it's an easy trek to Saffron."
Jessie and Meowth suddenly stopped mid-rant. What James had just said actually made sense. It was a thing that could be done. "B-But what about de twerps!"
"Come on. We've been following them for…" James quickly gave up on trying to count up the years. "A long time. I think we can take a break. Wouldn't be the first time." James seemed to have gotten a sudden influx of wisdom. Ah, what can one's love for his Pokémon do… "Think about it like this. I will be away like, what, two weeks at most. In the meanwhile, you can do everything you want. You can work to replenish our finances, maybe enjoy yourself… Be normal people for once."
"… If you put it like that…"
End flashback
"Sniff… I hope Motoko has just finished cooking chicken soup or something because… ATCHOOM! I'm gonna need loads of it." James resumed making the sound of a machine-gun with his teeth because of the cold.
"Well, no chicken soup, but we just cooked some vegetable soup. Of the kind you always loved, young master."
"Eh?" Before James could turn around, he found his whole body wrapped up in a warm blanket. He recognized the smiling face of the man who had been his vacation home's caretaker since he had been a child. "Eiji…"
"Come on, young master. The soup will get cold… And your friend and my wife just can't wait to see you." The old man moved a branch out of the way, and James finally was basked in the vision of the mansion's sight.
Rockets Rising
The Badge Crisis I
"ATCHOOM!"
"Chiiiiiiime!"
"Eheheh… Chimecho, you should restrain yourself from wrapping yourself around the young master's head, at least until that nasty cold passes."
"Sniff… Listen to Motoko, Chimecho. You'll just keep on getting blown away." Good thing that James had learned to turn away from his soup each time he sneezed, otherwise it would have all ended up on the floor way before Chimecho's fifth attempt at 'hugging' James around the head.
"So, how are things going for yourself, young master? Still with Team Rocket?"
"Yes… Sniff…" James rubbed the underside of his nose. "It's not like I can just leave it out of the blue, abandoning Jessie and Meowth…" James took another big spoonful of soup. "We're currently traveling through Sinnoh. Ah, and I stumbled upon another of my family's old vacation homes."
"Ahahah! You found your old Carnivine, didn't you? What a pleasant surprise!" Eiji laughed and took a sip of water from his glass. "And what about our Mime Jr? Is he being a good Pokemon?"
"Of course! Together, we even managed to win a Pokemon Orienteering competition… AT-CHOOOOOM!" James turned around before he could send everything on the table flying. This last sneeze was a lot stronger than the other ones. "Damn cold."
"Things that happen when you walk around in just that light outfit and a scarf, young master." Motoko had returned from another room with a bundle of clothes in her hands. "We prepared you a room. Here are some clean clothes that it would be good for you to wear, when you leave tomorrow."
"T-Thanks." James took a tissue and blew his nose loudly. Eiji chuckled.
"By the way, how did you manage to take two boats without getting arrested? I mean, that big red 'R' is a dead give away."
James flushed and scratched the back of his head, while Chimecho wrapped itself around his forehead, this time. "I hid in a couple of crates…"
The elderly couple stared at him for a couple of seconds. Then, sniffed the air. They froze. "Young master… What was in those crates?"
"… Sardines."
Eiji stood, and with the same grace and gentleness of a marine sergeant said… "You. Bathroom. Warm water. NOW." James saluted and then hurried to the bathroom.
-RR-
"Ahhhh…"
"Chiiime..."
"Miiiiime…"
"Caaaaarn…"
James felt in heaven. It had been ages since he had taken a real bath in a real bathroom… Especially one as big and luxurious as the one he was using at that moment. One could guess his family's level of wealth from that single room. It was huge, and made out of marble and gold. The tubes, the taps, the very doorknob were made out of the yellow material.
James decided to share that moment of pure bliss with his Pokemon… Well, Carnivine had to be persuaded to leave his head alone, before enjoying the warm water.
"You know, sometimes I miss this kind of life…" James leaned his head back into the water, over the edge of the bathtub.
"Mimemime!" Mime Jr's tone expressed nothing short of complete agreement.
"But then I remember the lack of freedom… And the forced engagement to Jessiebelle." At that, the trainer and two of his Pokemon shivered. Chimecho just let out a 'Chime?'. Among the occupants of the bathtub, he was the only one who didn't meet Jessiebelle at least once in his life. Carnivine had been with James ever since he was a little kid, and Mime Jr… Well, he met her one time when his parents came to the house along with the girl. It wasn't pretty. "And I say to myself 'Not worth it'. Not for all the bottlecaps in the world." Saying this, James stood up and walked out of the bathtub, and then enveloped his lower half in a towel…
"Bathroom, bathroom, gotta clean the bathroom… Uh?"
"Eh?" The bathroom's door suddenly opened. James turned around.
A girl was wearing a maid outfit and holding a mop and a bucket in her hands stood in the doorway. Now, there was the tiny itty bitsy detail that he was half-naked. They stared at each other for what was seemingly an eternity, then...
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"CAAAAAAAAAAARN!"
"MIIIIIIIIIIIME!"
"CHIIIIIIIIIIIIME!" The Pokemon treated it like a game, of course.
"S-SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO… KYAAAAA!" Letting the mop and the bucket fall to the ground, the girl ran out of the bathroom while covering her scarlet face. James flailed in surprise and fell back into the bathtub.
"GIRL, I'VE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE THE BATHROOM FOR LAST! THE YOUNG MASTER WAS BATHING IN THERE!"
"I'M SO SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
James slowly got into a sitting position as the voices loudly echoed from outside, and he stared at the now opened door, blinking. "What did just happen?"
-RR-
After getting decent, James returned to the living room, where he found Eiji scolding the maid with his wife trying to calm him down. The poor girl kept on muttering apologies in a seiza position.
"Ehm… Something happened?"
"And another… Ah, young master."
"Ah! James-sama!" The girl stood to bow deeply in his direction. "I'm so sorry for what has happened before!"
"N-No big deal…" James said, flushing a little and scratching the back of his head. He tried to smile. "Ehm… Who are you, exactly?"
"Her name's Jill, young master." Motoko answered in place of the black haired girl, who was still bowing down to him. "She's a camper. She offered to work here for a while to earn some money. When you arrived we had sent her to buy some things in Saffron. That's why you didn't see her before she rushed into the bathroom to clean it."
"I'm soorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…" The girl cried miserably. Eiji groaned and covered his face with one palm.
"She's a hard worker… But a bit clumsy. And raise your head, before you get a hernia!"
"Y-Yes!" Jill returned into a standing position, but she she kept her gaze on the ground. James still noticed that she had hazel eyes. "I-I'm sorry. I forgot what mister Eiji told me."
"I-It's okay. No big deal." James tried to cheer her up a bit. "I mean, it could have been worse. I could have been naked, right?"
"N-Naked?" The girl raised her eyes to meet James' gaze… Then she blushed even more and ran out of the room. "KYAAAAAAAAAA!"
James sweatdropped. Eiji groaned. Motoko just chuckled. The old woman then turned to James. "Your old room has been prepared for you. We wish you a good night, master."
"Thanks. I guess I'll-ARGH!" Suddenly, all his Pokemon glomped him in their own personal way. Hence, James was currently on the ground, blindfolded by Chimecho, bitten by Carnivine and hugged around the legs by Mime Jr. "GUYS, I DIDN'T SAY WE WERE GOING TO SLEEP IN THE SAME BED! AND EVEN IF, I'M NOT GOING TO SLEEP LIKE THIS!"
-RR-
"I can't understand if I'm really good or really bad with Pokémon." In the end, James had ended up in his bed with Chimecho wrapped around his forehead, Mime Jr under the covers with him and Carnivine cuddled up above him. And the grass-type Pokemon could rival a Snorlax, when it came to snoring. But, nonetheless, James felt that sleep was about to take him. He let out a loud yawn and cuddled up against his pillow. "Tomorrow will be eventful."
And James just didn't know how much.
-RR-
"Good morning, Eiji."
"Good morning, young master. I take you slept well?"
After sleeping in a real bed, James was about to take part to something that he had not done in a long while. A large, satisfying breakfast. He could see bowls filled with Pokemon food too, at the tables. Good thing he had not put his Pokemon back in his Pokeballs yet, since they immediately dug into the food and would have broke through their holders because of the smell alone.
"Ahahah. It's been so long since we had such a lively table." Motoko, with the help of Jill, was bringing even more food to the table. James felt his mouth watering. Jill, still blushing like the previous day, put in front of him a cup with some hot tea inside. James took a sip.
"Mhhh…" 'Black tea with two spoons of sugar and a drop of milk. Just like I-Huh.' James blinked and turned towards the maid. "Hey. How did you know I always take tea like this?"
"Ehm… Lady Motoko told me." Jill lowered her head once again.
"Ah. Well, thanks. It's really good." James smiled at her… And the girl ran out of the room again. "… Seriously. What's her problem?"
"She seems to be very uneasy around men her age. Especially attractive ones like young master." James scratched his head while Motoko chuckled.
"Mmmmh… Oh, well. To each his own. I have an obsession with bottle caps." James moved to the french toasts and put some syrup on his pancakes, before continuing to eat.
"Yes. I remember that Growlie had a habit of..." Motoko had suddenly trailed off, but James didn't give it much thought.
"Of hiding them because he was afraid I'd start spending more time with them than him." James chuckled, and then put a hand on the paw that was nudging him in the left side. "Hey, that tickles, Growlie...?" James blinked. And then realized what he had just said. And what was touching him. "… Growlie?"
"Growlithe!"
James felt his brain's gears turning at light-speed, giving him in two seconds the answer he was searching for, the only possible explanation to why Growlie could be there.
"What a surprise! We were thinking about paying a visit to our vacation home…"
"But this is really a bonus."
His parents had started bringing him around in the hope that he could accidentally sniff him out. James slowly turned around and laid eyes on the two people that he would have never wanted to see again before they changed their minds on a certain matter. His parents. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Hohoho… James, is this the way to greet your parents after all the time we haven't seen each other?" His father laughed while stroking his chin. Then, he turned to his wife. "Hon, would you mind calling-"
"I'm already on it, dear." James' mother had collected a jewel-encrusted Pokenav out of her bag. "The girl is probably in Sinnoh, but I bet she will get here in less than three days when she hears that our beloved son is here."
"AAAAAAARGH! NO! DON'T CALL HER!" James practically begged his parents, on his knees, hands joined. He knew that they were about to call the bodyguards who were outside too to restrain him till that… That… That sadomaso freak Jessie-wannabe with the name of Jessiebelle arrived there!
"Nonsense, James. Your fiancée has the right to-"
GONG!
"H-Honey! What…"
GONG!
James and the other occupants of the room had shifted from terrified to… Surprised. Flabbergasted. Shocked. Floower.
Jill had just hit both of his parents in the head with a frying pan, causing them to go instantly unconscious, with big, smocking lumps on the back of their heads. "Jill… Why… Did you do that?"
"B-Because these unknown persons were being mean to mister James?"
"Hnnn…"
"AH!"
GONG!
James winched for his father, who had not fallen unconscious on the first hit, after all. Eiji was twitching.
"Girl, I don't know if I should praise you because you just saved the day or scold you because you just hit the young master's parents in the nogging."
"I WHAT?!" The girl immediately began to shake like rag dolls the unconscious couple, completely out cold. "I-I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO... I DIDN'T KNOW! PLEASE WAKE UP!"
"Alright, let's calm down for a bit." James brought his hands in front of his face, while his Pokemon, Growlie included, were gathered around him. "My parents are not going to be out for long. And I need to run."
"And I think you need to run too, dear." Motoko was talking to Jill. The girl had turned to the elder woman, confused. "You hit them with a frying pan in the head and knocked them unconscious. If you're still here when they wake up, they'll throw you in the mansion's dungeon for sure."
"B-But I can't-I mean, I have to apologize! I can't just leave-"
"Girl, you'll just have to go with the young master."
"Eh?"
"What?"
"Say that again?"
"Chime?"
Everyone turned to Eiji. "Since the girl still has left two weeks of paid work to do, I will assign her to you. You're an expert about running away, aren't you?"
"B-But I can't bring her with me! I mean…" Eiji had that look that meant 'It's final'. James just groaned. "Whatever! I've got to get dressed and pack! Jill, meet me at the exit in twenty minutes!"
"... Y-Yes." Jill bowed and hurried to her room. James pulled out three Pokeballs.
"Get back in the Pokeballs, guys! It's time to return!" He pushed the three buttons on the Pokeballs one after the other and made Carnivine, Mime Jr and Chimecho return into their Pokeballs. And he was about to hurry to pack again when he felt something pull his leg. "Eh?"
James turned around… And he saw Growlie pulling on his leg, biting on the trousers of his pajamas. He had an angry stare."Growlie?"
"Don't you think it's time to listen to your heart, young master?" Eiji said. James turned to him. "This would be the third time you left him behind. And I think he's opposed to that as much as he physically can. This time he's going to follow you to the ends of all earth."
"But…" James tried to say something, but returning to look at his oldest friend, his words got stuck in his throat.
"We know that you think that he would be better off with your parents, in his luxurious house…" Motoko continued for her husband. "But what about how you feel about the matter? Or how Growlie feels about it? If luxuries aren't enough to buy your freedom, do you really think they would be enough to buy Growlie's bond with you?"
James stared at his Growlithe, who didn't look he was about to let go of his leg anytime soon. James tried to mutter an answer, a retort, anything to counter Motoko's argument.
He came up with nothing.
"I warn you, Growlie. There will be no more Golden-Brand Pokemon food to eat three times a day." The Growlie raised his head, and barked loudly when he saw James holding a vacant Pokeball in his hand. "Together again... My friend."
"Growlithe!" James let the ball fly towards Growlie. The ball bounced on his nose and opened, enveloping the Pokemon in a flash of red light, completing the capture. James then knelt down and took the Pokeball back in his hand. He stared at it for a few seconds, confirming his resolve. Then, he smiled.
"Alright! Now let's get packed!"
"I'll prepare some new clothes for you to wear as well, young master!"
-RR-
"They suit you well, young master."
"Absolutely. My old clothes look great on you. I'll keep the badge, though."
"You never told me you were a Pokémon ranger, Eiji." James commented as he observed himself in the orange and black clothes, completed with boots and a cap, that made up the uniform of the Pokémon Rangers of Kanto, Jotho and Hoen. The rope was a nice accessory too. He had learned the value of hemp a long time ago.
"They look good, James-sama." Jill had changed as well. She was now wearing her usual camping clothes, even if they usually called girls like her picknickers, for some reason.
"Hmmm…" James suddenly grinned. He took a Pokeball and let Growlie out, and then put one hand inside his right pocket and the other at the tip of his hat, enjoying the image reflecting from the mirror. "Don't we look cool, Growlie?"
"Ehm… James-sama? Should we go?"
"Yes, sorry." James let go of his hat and turned to Eiji and Motoko. He bowed deeply. "It's been nice meeting you two again. Thanks for what you've done for me and Chimecho. Take care."
"Of course, young master. We will."
"And, girl… Take care of the young master."
"Y-Yes." Jill bowed deeply. "Goodbye." Then, carrying her backpack, she hurried towards the backdoor of the mansion. James picked up his own from the ground and ran after her, followed suit by Growlie. The elderly couple smiled at them, and watched them go till the door closed.
"Well… I suppose we should clear ourselves from any possible suspects like the young master suggested." Eiji produced a frying pan out of hammer space. His wife imitated him.
"We certainly should. On the count of three…"
GONG!
GONG!
-RR-
"So… Were are we heading, James-sama?"
"Please, just call me James. You make me feel like I am my father." Growlie shuddered. It wasn't a happy thought at all. James becoming like his father… What if he tried to marry him to a Delcatty? "I have to return to Sinnoh as soon as possible. My friends are waiting for me." Then he turned to Jill. "Are you sure you want to follow me around?"
"Y-Yes. After all the good things that mister Eiji and lady Motoko did for me, including paying me in advance… It's the least I can do. At least until the two weeks are up."
"Hmm… As you wish." James put a hand on his chin. "Now, I bet that my parents will have surveillance up around all the docks of Vermillion's city." James remembered when they had basically sealed off a small city entirely, when he got lost. "I will have to find another method of travelling."
"Well… The point is getting to Olivine city in Jotho, right?" James nodded. "Well, then there's the Magnet Train." James blinked at her. Magnet what? He had never heard of anything like that... Well, he had been away from Kanto for a while. Noticing his puzzled look, the girl flushed and continued. "It has only been finished recently. It's a high speed train that travels from Saffron city to Goldenrod city, in Jotho."
"... Nice! Heard that, Growlie?!" The Pokemon yapped in approval. "Then, let's get to Saffron and board it right now!"
-RR-
"A… Pass?"
"Yes, sir. To board the Magnet Train you need to possess a pass." While the assistant kept on smiling, James threw Jill a look that said 'You didn't tell me about that.'. The girl just blushed and kept her head low. "To get one, you have to pay 30000 yen and submit a request to our company, and the pass will be ready in three days. Also, I'll need an ID."
"THREE DAYS?! B-BUT… I CAN'T WAIT THAT MUCH!" 'My parents will already have caught me by the first day, if I remain in Saffron city for that long! And on top of that, I don't have 30000 yen... And I left my last fake ID in Sinnoh!'
"I CAN'T WAIT THAT MUCH!"
"Eh?" James turned around… And almost jumped out of his new outfit. Standing behind him, there was a perfect copy of himself, clothes and Growlie included, staying in his exact same pose… Wait. Why was there another, smaller Growlie, on top of the bigger one? "What the…"
"Ahahahah! Surprised? Imitation is my special Skill!" Suddenly, the James clone waved a blanket in front of him. After it passed, in place of James' copy now stood a girl with green hair tied in two pigtails. And in place of the two Growlithes, two Dittos. "The name's Duplica! Nice to meet you!"
"Duplica?" 'Wait a minute, that name sounds familiar...!' "AAAAAAAAAAH!" James suddenly screamed, pointing his right index finger at the girl. He knew her alright. He, Jessie and Meowth had kidnapped both of her Pokemon!
"Uh?" Duplica just blinked, confused by the reaction… Then she started glaring fiercely. "Hey! I know I'm not a beauty, but-"
"Nonono! I just thought you were someone else! You look like someone I knew! Yeah, that's all! Ahahahah! To tell the truth, I find you pretty! Very pretty!" 'Thanks god, no one ever recognizes me as long as I wear something on my head or over my face. Even if it doesn't make sense, it's pretty useful.'
"Hmmm…" Duplica observed James' face, for a few seconds, that scary glare still in place. But just as suddenly as she had turned to anger, she smiled. "Alright! I believe you! So, what's your name? I can't call you 'guy who has a problem with the train', right?"
"R-Right. My name is James. This is Growlie…" James patted the head of his Pokemon. "And she's Jill. She's traveling with me."
"It's a pleasure! Well, from what I've heard, you want to board the train… But you need a pass, right?" James nodded… And then shot his head back as a small plastic rectangle was almost shoved in his face. "Guess what? I have one right here! And I'm inclined to make a bargain!"
"A bargain?" James blinked.
"Yes. You see, I'm a performing Pokemon trainer, and I travel a lot, but my house is actually here in Saffron city! It's the place where I keep all the dolls I collect during my travels!"
"Dolls?" James said.
"Dolls?" Jill added.
"Growl?" Growlie finished.
"Yes, Dolls! I collect them!" Duplica hugged her Dittos, who promptly transformed into a couple of Clefairy dolls for comedic timing. "While I travel, I always look for dolls! I've finished all the Pokédolls collections ever existed! Except…" James flinched. Duplica was angry again, all of a sudden. Her aura made him want to run and never look back. "Except for the first Generation Psychic one! All because of Sabrina!"
"Sabrina?" Another familiar name. He hoped it wasn't another person who he had tried to Pokemon-theft… Which left out what, twenty people?
"The Gym Leader of Saffron city! That damn, ugly, mean b-" Her two Dittos place gooey paws on her mouth to stop her from saying the B-word. She flushed and cleared her throat. The Pokémon relented. "She likes dolls too, and she has the only two copies I know of the one I need to complete that collection, the Alakazam golden special, but she doesn't want to trade! And I know she's doing it on purpose! I know she is! As a revenge because, unlike me, she never had the occasion to really become a collector! ARGH! Last time I asked her, know what she said? '… Beat me in an official Gym Challenge and I'll give you the thing'."
"And… You tried?" Duplica suddenly slumped, at Jill's question.
"Yes." Duplica sniffed a little, which told them millions about the end result. "So, here's the deal! Beat Sabrina, earn me that doll and I will give you this extra pass! Deal?"
"YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!" Jill plugged her ears for safe-keeping.
"Deal! When you're done, come by my house! Just ask for the Imite Mansion! Everyone in town knows it! See ya!" And with that, without even giving James the chance to retort, Duplica walked away waving at them, like she had just asked them to go grocery shopping. James was still pointing at where she previously was, his jaw hanging. Jill waved a hand in front of his face and he slowly regained some color.
"… What the hell?!" James shifted his head left and right a number of times, to Jill and to the place where Duplica had just been standing moments before. "She asked me to… Beat a Gym Leader?!"
"I think she did." Jill said with a nod.
"B-But why would she?! I mean, I don't look nothing like a Pokemon trainer! Where did she get the idea that I'm a Pokemon trainer?!"
"Huh? What do you mean, James-sama? You look like a pretty strong Pokémon trainer." Jill answered.
"I do not! Doesn't the R... Wait." Then, James remembered. He was no longer wearing his team Rocket clothes. They were in his backpack because he needed to be disguised. He was wearing Eiji's Ranger clothes. He remembered the scene in front of the mirror… And slumped his head, groaning. "Yes. Growlie and these new clothes make me look like a really confident Pokemon trainer, I guess."
"What should we do?" Jill asked, tilting her head to the side.
James groaned. 'What a mess.' His Pokemon were strong, but he was a terrible trainer, if his loss/win count was anything to go by. But he didn't really have a choice, did he? "… I think I should at least go and see the Gym."
-RR-
"It's creeeepyyyy…"
"J-James-sama, it's just an entrance…"
But James was still freaked out. The Gym was shaped… He didn't know how. It was like a number of tents had been fused together, all plain white. He wasn't exactly keen on advancing towards, even if Growlie was pushing with all his might.
"Come on, James-sama! Do you want to challenge the Gym Leader or not?!"
"Ehm…" James needed to think of an excuse. He found one that made perfect sense. "Maybe after collecting some informations about this Sabrina? Like, her age, what kind of Pokemon she uses, how many trainers before me have managed to get a badge…"
"Sabrina is 21. She just uses Psychic Pokemon, and only one trainer has ever been given a medal since she became a Gym Leader." James almost facefaulted when his plan was destroyed by an unknown voice. He slowly turned around. The voice's owner was a man with tanned skin and a black beard, wearing a pair of black trousers and a white shirt over a couple of black polish shoes. He was standing in the shadow of one of the strange pointed pillars of the entrance of the gym.
"Ehm… Thanks." Weakly answered James. "And… How do you know all of those things?"
"Well, a father ought to know a few things about his daughter, doesn't he?" The man grinned, and James just stared. "So, you want to fight Sabrina? Do you have at least another badge?"
James held the bridge of his nose. It was just one new thing after the other, was it? "What do you mean?"
"Sabrina doesn't let anyone challenge him, if the trainer doesn't have at least a badge earned from another Gym." James groaned.
'Game over.' "Great. No train. We'll have to run…"
"Hm?" The man raised an eyebrow at James' words, finding them curious. He started walking towards them. James and Jill jumped at the action. "Hold still."
"What?" James suddenly was unable to move a single muscle. He was stuck in that position, and he didn't understand why. Maybe it had something to with the fact that the man's eyes were flashing red and staring directly into his own ones?
After a few seconds, he stopped, and James' body was allowed to relax again."I see. You're here for that doll, but… You have no chance."
"H-How…"
"Psychic powers run into the family. That's why Sabrina loves Psychic-types." The man crossed his arms in front of his chest, ignoring the shocked faces of the trio of humans and Pokémon. "You have four Pokemon, and just two are strong enough to face Sabrina's ones. Also, you don't have another badge needed to challenge her, and you're not even a real Pokemon trainer. And you want to challenge Sabrina, who has never lost a Pokemon battle in her whole life?"
James stared at the man, and gulped. Psychic powers… A good way to bring out everything one despised about himself. He dropped his head.
"S-Stop being so mean to James-sama! A-And if this Sabrina has never lost a battle in her whole life, why did she give someone a badge?!"
"That badge was handed out… Let's say as a gift. A way of saying thanks." The man kept on staring at James. 'It's a shame, though.' There was nothing someone could hide from a psychic of his level. And so, he had managed to see that, while the violet-haired man didn't have exactly the best track record, he had potential. There was one important quality of a good Pokémon trainer that he possessed in droves. "… Don't ask me why, but I feel like helping you out."
"W-What?" Suddenly, the man held out his right hand. An object appeared on it in a flash of red light. James recognized the device. The twerp always carried it around. The man suddenly tossed it to him. He barely caught it, cradling it carefully with both hands. "Is this…"
"A Pokedex. If you want to fight Sabrina, learn how to be a trainer, first." The man crossed his arms again. "Now, to challenge Sabrina, you need at least another badge. Head to Celadon city. If you hurry up, you'll be able to get the last bus there."
"Celadon city? Why there?" Asked Jill, bringing a finger to her lips.
"Because Erika, that city's Gym Leader, specializes in Grass type Pokemon. Your Growlithe will prove useful in a fight against her Pokémon." James blinked and then sweatdropped at the memory of another Grass-lover Gym Leader he had recently met. He bit back fat tears as he remembered the circumstances and outcome of their second meeting. "A battle against her should always give you some insight about how to better train your Carnivine. And it will give all your Pokémon much needed experience." The man continued, his eyes narrowing. "You need three Pokemon to fight against a Gym Leader. And sending an highly unprepared one into battle against Sabrina-"
"I would never do that! That was the main reason why I didn't want to try this!" Even if James let out that kind of outburst, the man just stood there, unfazed. The rocket suddenly returned his gaze to the ground. "I… I don't want my Pokemon to get hurt…"
"I know. So, you'd better shape up." James stared at the man… And then nodded.
"Alright. Autobus. Celadon city. Gym leader Erika." Jill took a real note of all that, while James just a mental one. "Let's go, Jill! Growlie!"
"Y-Yes, James-sama!" As the two humans hurried away along with the Growlithe, the man watched them go... And then sighed.
"I really have nothing to do, nowadays, if I start helping out Rockets. I almost miss when Sabrina turned people into dolls."
To Be Continued…
In the next chapter…
With plans in mind, James arrives in Celadon city… But between his past coming back to haunt him and rampaging Machamps, the Gym challenge gets more than a bit delayed. Stay tuned!
Original Notes:
The tune is the English lyrics of one ending of the anime, Maemuki Rockettodan.
The elderly couple's names are never voiced. So, I decided to use the names of their Seiyuu (Voice actors).
While it's canon that there's a connection by ship between Vermilion city and Olivine city (Pokemon Gold/Silver), it's not confirmed that there's one between Olivine city and Sunyshore city. But the presence in Sunyshore of Jasmine in Pokemon Pearl/Diamond, Olivine city's gym leader, is a big hint.
For an image of James' clothes: bulbapedia./wiki/Gamer (Diamond and Pearl version)
For an image of Jill's clothes: bulbapedia./wiki/Picnicker (Ruby and Sapphire Version)
James' Pokemon
Since James will be using his Pokemon for more things than being a comical joke, in this fanfiction, I thought that it would be useful to give out their levels. This is something I made up on my own, though, by comparing the list of the moves known by James' Pokemon and the Pokemon's learnset tables from Diamond and Pearl.
Growlie(Growlithe)
Type: Fire
Level: 36
This was probably the easiest to calculate. We've seen Growlie fight against Jessiebelle's Vileplume, and use Flamethrower. According to the tables, a Growlithe learns Flamethrower at level 34.
Chimecho
Type: Psychic
Level: 39
This can look like an exaggeration, since it would make Chimecho James' strongest Pokemon, after Cacnea, but it's not. In the anime, Chimecho has been seen using four moves. Astonish, Wrap, Heal Bell, and Double Edge. Now, while Wrap is a starting move for a Chimecho, and Astonish is learned at level 9, Heal Bell and Double Edge are learned, respectively, at level 38 and 33! Add that Chimecho has got to have gained at least a little exp while travelling with James… Well, you got yourself a very powerful Psychic-type Pokemon.
Carnivine
Type: Grass
Level: 25
This was a bit more tricky. In the anime, we've seen Carnivine use, till now, the attacks Bite, Bind and Bullet Seed. Bind is a starting move for Carnivine, and Bite is learned at level 7. Bullet Seed, instead, can just be taught by TM, to a Carnivine. So, I had to reason. I saw that most Pokemon learn Bullet Seed at a level between 17 and max 29. So… I guessed that 25 was a reasonable level.
Mime Jr
Type: Psychic
Level: 21
This was easy, even if, according to the games, a Mime Jr shouldn't be able to learn Teeter dance. Oh, well… We've seen Mime Jr use Tickle and Mimic too. Mime Jr learns Mimic at level 18.
New Notes (20/09/2013): Changed James' clothes to a Pokemon Ranger's one right off the bat. I was getting a bit tired of always changing them. :P