Quick disclaimer before we get started, just to be safe: though I have done a lot of research with the help of a friend more knowledgeable than myself, and though I was thoroughly obsessed with Pokémon and Team Rocket when I was growing up, I have not actually watched an episode of the Anime since DP, only clips. As such, despite my research, I'm sure there are details that slipped through the gaps in my knowledge of the canon, and for those inevitable inconsistencies, I apologize. I guess you can consider this an AU where necessary, though I tried to keep as much of it in line with modern canon as I could with what I know.

"Wobbuffet, return."

The battered blue blob of a Pokémon, which lay in a delirious heap on the floor of the tiny makeshift stadium, disappeared in a cloud of red light, returning to Jessie's Pokéball. The redheaded coordinator scowled, almost physically trying to defend herself from the sound of the announcer's words.

"Wobbuffet is unable to battle! Victory in this contest goes to Alexa's Rapidash!"

The Galarian Rapidash flipped its flowing pink-and-blue mane and trumpeted its name; behind it, its coordinator cheered and danced for the crowd.

Jessie stomped her heeled foot and turned in a huff, her violet dress swishing around legs her wildly.

Contests were a much more informal affair in Galar, only recently introduced from other regions and just starting to catch on, but even here, among all this riffraff, Jessie's first attempt at a Galar contest victory had ended in an embarrassing defeat. Her angle for this one had been poise, as Wobbuffet was essentially built to take attacks and then reflect them without flinching; the appeal had gone over well enough that she'd made it to the battle round, at least, but though Wobbuffet had managed to pull off an impressive dance number, it had never been much of a battler, even with Jessie's carefully planned strategy.

"Stupid useless lout," she grumbled as she stormed down the corridor and out into the reception area, gripping her Pokéball angrily. "Can only do one thing, and it can't even manage to get that much right…"

Grudgingly, though, she allowed the staff to heal her injured Pokémon - it wasn't any more useful to her fainted than conscious, if nothing else. I need something better, she thought to herself; rentals from the boss couldn't be used in contests, so she'd had no other options, and that was maddening. Something with real style and personality, beyond stupid and annoying…

"Jess!"

As soon as the ball containing her Wobbuffet was handed back to her, Jessie's ears alerted her to the sound of her constant companions approaching. She turned, not bothering to hide her irritation, as James and Meowth ran up to her; both of them skidded to a halt at a safe distance as soon as they saw her glowering.

"I'm sorry you didn't win, Jess," James offered.

"Why are you apologizing?" Jessie huffed angrily. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's this stupid blue lump that let me down."

Predictably, the blue lump in question emerged from its Pokéball of its own accord and proclaimed its name proudly. Scowling even deeper, Jessie punched the offender on the top of its rounded head, knocking it to the floor.

"Shut up!" she snapped at it. "You embarrassed me out there!"

"Maybe Wobbuffet ain't cut out for da big stage," Meowth suggested.

"And what would you rather I'd used, James's Morpeko?" Jessie demanded of the cat Pokémon. "That thing's even more annoying and useless than Wobbuffet!"

"Pardon me."

A smooth, velvety voice cut through the budding argument, and Jessie turned at the sound, only to immediately have all the air stolen from her lungs by the sight of the most magnificent man she'd ever seen.

His long, ebony curls were perfectly coiffed to frame his princely face, strong cheekbones and chiseled jawline tapering to a delicate chin. Not a single follicle of his short mustache and goatee was out of place, perfectly setting off smooth, honey-colored skin and sculpted pink lips. He wore a heavy navy coat embroidered with gold designs, trimmed with lace and gleaming with metal buttons and cufflinks, draped over a Pidove-gray silk shirt and dark gray velvet vest, white silk pants tucked into his knee-high black velvet boots, the buckles and toes of which shone with silver. He carried himself with a regal demeanor that made him seem taller and broader than he actually was, the poise of a man who knew he was regal and thrived on the adoration he demanded. Everything about him positively exuded wealth, power, and privilege, and when he opened his mahogany eyes and fixed them on Jessie, she felt her knees go weak.

"I happened to have had the honor of witnessing your performance tonight," the mysterious man said, his voice deep and lilting so that he could almost have been singing, a siren song that made Jessie's heart want to beat of her chest. "Dreadful to see victory stolen from you so cruelly, my dear. Had the contest been focused on the style of the coordinator, not the Pokémon, you would have been a shoo-in."

"M-Me?" Jessie stammered.

"Yes," the man purred, his lips curling into a lazy smile. "You, darling."

Feeling as though she might faint, Jessie gritted her teeth. Get it together, get it together! she shouted at herself.

A large green serpent Pokémon slithered up behind the mysterious man, just as elegant as the human in its own way, leaves and frills mirroring the embroidery on the man's heavy coat. "Serrrr," it hissed, its crimson eyes also assessing Jessie. Almost absently, the man reached out one perfectly-manicured hand and stroked the Serperior's head.

"W-Well of course I should have won!" Jessie finally managed to spit out, and she lifted her chin, turning up her usual facade of total arrogance to eleven. "If I hadn't been forced to use such a lackluster Pokémon, that little twerp wouldn't have stood a chance against me!"

"My thoughts exactly," the mystery man smirked, stepping closer to her.

"And just who are you supposed to be?"

The unwelcome interruption reminded Jessie that she and this majestic stranger weren't the only two people in the world. She glanced over to see James glaring at the newcomer, eyes narrowed in something like suspicion.

"Oh, pardon me!" exclaimed the magnificent man, and Jessie returned her attention to him in time to see him toss his perfect hair with perfect elegance. "Donovan Star, heir of Star Enterprises here in Galar," he introduced himself. "And this is my partner, Serperior."

"Serrrr," hissed the grass-type Pokémon.

"I didn't know there were Serperior in the Galar region," James said, and it sounded like an accusation, even though the Pokémon in question was quite clearly right in front of them.

"Quite right," Donovan chuckled. "As far as I know, mine is the only one. When I was a young man, my family and I took a trip to the Unova region, and this Snivy and I hit it off the moment we met." He stroked the serpentine Pokémon's head again, his deep brown eyes fixing back onto Jessie. "During my time in Unova, aside from this magnificent Pokémon I now call my partner, what I was struck by the most was the incredible showmanship of the region. The movies, the musical stage performances, the glamor…Have you been there, darling?"

"I - I - yes, I have," Jessie managed. "It's a…lovely region."

Donovan gave a soft little chuckle. "And it got me thinking," he went on; "why don't we have that sort of prestige in Galar? We have our barbaric stadium battles, but no true beauty is ever put on display. Surely, our citizens have the same talent for theater and cinema." His lips curled into a smile again. "And that, my dear, brings me to why I approached you tonight."

He stepped forward, his movements slow and unhurried, like a stalking Liepard. Jessie found herself paralyzed, struggling to keep breathing as he came close enough to touch. Then, he reached into his jacket and removed his hand with a flourish, a rectangle of cardboard pinched between two fingers and extended to her.

"My card," he said.

"Your…?" Jessie blinked, trying to think.

"I've decided to put my wealth towards the establishment of an academy for young individuals I sense are gifted in showmanship," he told her. "One day, my recruits will put on a performance that will put the whole region on the map in the world of theater. And you, darling…" His smirk widened, a gleam lighting in his deep, dark eyes. "You happen to have exceptional talent. Your destiny is on the stage, on the big screen, I can sense it; I've never seen raw potential so potent as yours. I would be honored to have you come join me at Starstruck Academy, so that I might mold you into an idol to take the world by storm."

Is this a dream…? Jessie thought dazedly, feeling lightheaded.

While Jessie drowned in the depths of Donovan Star's brown irises, James was staring down the strange man's Serperior. Something in its crimson eyes seemed off, its smirk a little too hungry for James's liking. He knew full well that this offer was everything Jessie had ever dreamed of, but it all felt far too convenient, and Donovan himself…when James looked into those dark eyes that were hypnotizing Jessie, he thought he could detect a tiny gleam that immediately set him on edge. He couldn't place it, but it tickled at the back of his mind like a forgotten nightmare…

"Jess," he said softly. When she didn't respond, he elbowed her. "Jessie, snap out of it. Think about this. What are the odds of an offer like this appearing out of nowhere?"

Her partner's soft blow and pointed words dragged Jessie back down to earth. She was many things - vain, greedy, arrogant, selfish - but she wasn't completely stupid. "It sounds like you're offering me a dream come true," she told Donovan, proud that her voice came out relatively steady. "What's the catch?"

The gorgeous man laughed, his perfect white teeth flashing in the light of the reception room, and Jessie lost her breath all over again, captivated by his magnificence. "You would of course have to leave all this riffraff behind," he answered, grinning. "You would have to sign a contract with me, and come to live at Starstruck Academy, full-time. But darling, I highly doubt that whatever life you're leading now is worth passing up such a golden opportunity. You are meant for greatness, my dear, of that I have no doubt. I only wish to see you achieve your full potential." Without warning, he reached out and took Jessie's hand, placing his card in her palm. "Take your time to think it over, if you must," he told her; "my estate is just outside the northeast corner of Motostoke, anyone can point the way."

"Your estate?" Jessie repeated dazedly.

"I thought you said you were inviting her to an academy," James growled.

"I've repurposed my old family estate to house my up-and-coming starlets," Donovan dismissed with a flip of his hair. "Why bother getting the permits for a new building when the one I already own does the job just fine?"

"So Jessie isn't the only one," James said, and Jessie blinked, surprised.

"No," Donovan readily admitted, and she felt a cold Tynamo of disappointment slide its way through her intestines. Then he smiled again, fixing her with his captivating gaze once more, and added, "But none of my other recruits are half so inherently talented. They'll make fine backup dancers…but you, darling, could easily be the very thing we need to complete our troupe: the perfect leading lady."

Leading lady…? Jessie swallowed hard, her voice sticking in her throat.

"Think it over," Donovan repeated, turning away. "I have no intention of leaving Motostoke anytime soon, I'm always home when I'm not scouting for talent. Ask around about me if you have any doubts, I can assure you there is not a single individual who won't vouch for my authenticity. And when you're ready to be made into a true star, come find me. I'll be waiting."

With that, he strode away, head held high, his every movement measured with perfect grace. His Serperior slid after him, its crimson eyes giving Jessie, James, and Meowth one last appraisal before it turned away, its lips still curled in that tiny smirk that made James shudder with apprehension. Jessie didn't seem to notice; she was utterly frozen, still holding the card Donovan had given her, and when James stepped around to look her in the face, he saw her expression was entirely slack, her eyes distant and starry. A sick feeling bit into his gut, and he gritted his teeth.

"Jessie," he hissed. When she didn't respond, he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, shaking her out of her daze. "Jessie. Please tell me you aren't thinking of going along with this."

Still feeling dazed, Jessie blinked herself back to reality, registering James's disapproving glower. With Donovan's captivating presence gone, a few niggles of doubt managed to worm their way into her mind, and she looked down at her upraised hand to examine the card the mystery man had given her. Foil embellishments shimmered in the light, prints of golden stars and bronze lettering stamped into dense paper - as far as business cards went, this one was of incredibly high quality. Of course, that didn't necessarily mean anything…

"Opportunities like this don't just drop out of the sky," James went on. "Don't you think this is all a little suspicious?"

She met his eyes. His emerald irises were fervent, almost angry, and she felt her old rebellious instinct rise.

"Well, it's about time someone noticed how beautiful I am!" she huffed. "I've been scraping by on charity and petty thievery far too long for someone as gorgeous and talented as myself! Perhaps the universe has finally decided to recognize my magnificence and give me the prestige I deserve!"

"I don't t'ink da world works like dat, Jess," Meowth remarked.

"Woooo-bbuffet," agreed the blue blob that had picked itself up after Jessie's punch.

"Grr…" Jessie scowled, folding her arms. "Look, he told us to ask around if we doubted him," she stated. "If it would really ease your minds, we might as well."

"Yes," James agreed immediately, "let's ask everyone we see if they've even heard of this Donovan Star." Without further prompting, he turned to the nearest person and called out, "Excuse me, have you heard of a man named Donovan Star?"

The next three hours were spent wandering the streets of Motostoke, asking everyone they crossed paths with if they'd heard of Donovan Star, Starstruck Academy, or Star Enterprises. Yes, everyone answered, absolutely they had, the Star family were an old wealthy dynasty of entrepreneurs who'd established themselves generations ago, and Donovan Star was currently the sole heir to the empire. When pressed for details about his appearance, everyone who'd seen the legendary man was very clear: curly black hair, never seen without his Serperior by his side. James fervently demanded answers, growing more frantic with each passing affirmation that Donovan Star was exactly who he claimed to be, almost desperate for someone to validate his misgivings, but no one did. Plenty had even heard of Mr. Star's recent establishment of Starstruck Academy, his mission to bring Galar into an age of theatrical prestige to rival Unova - one or two even claimed to have seen a couple of public recitals he'd put on with his current recruits and told the Rockets that the choreography was like nothing they'd ever seen, that it was amazing that the man insisted his performers were still in the early stages of their training.

By the time Jessie and James got back to their temporary Galarian base (it seemed the twerps were going to be in the region for a while, so they'd recently arranged a setup in an abandoned warehouse east of the Galar mine, just outside the western border of Motostoke), Jessie was thoroughly convinced, and she moved to start packing her things without a moment's hesitation. James changed out of his plain clothes and back into his Rocket uniform, but when Jessie took off the elaborate purple dress she'd worn for the contest, she put on a simple button-up blouse and skintight jeans.

"Meowth," James murmured to their talking Pokémon companion, "did Donovan's Serperior seem a little off to you?"

"Whaddaya mean, James?" Meowth inquired.

"I can't place it," he replied, "but something about it just seemed…I don't know. Its eyes gave me a bad feeling."

"Well, let's see what da dex says," Meowth shrugged, pulling out the team's Rotom Phone. "Hey Rotom, whaddaya know 'bout Serperior?"

"Serperior, the Regal Pokémon," the black Rotom sighed dejectedly. "It won't fight an opponent unless they're brave enough meet its intimidating glare."

"There, you see?" Jessie huffed, having apparently been eavesdropping. "Its eyes are supposed to be scary, James. No surprise you'd be intimidated."

"Jessie, I don't like this," James stated. "Please reconsider."

"How many people did we interview about Donovan?" Jessie countered. "It must have been dozens, the way you were grabbing on to every person we saw. Not one of them had a single bad word to say about the man."

"I know, but…" James fumbled for a valid argument. "We don't know he didn't pay them off-"

"In order to pay off every individual person in Motostoke, he'd have to actually be as rich as he says he is," Jessie retorted.

"She's got a point," Meowth remarked.

"But Jess…" James searched for the right words, but came up empty. It was true that every bit of actual evidence they had for the situation indicated that Donovan Star and his offer to Jessie were entirely legitimate, that this really was everything she'd ever dreamed of. There was nothing James could offer as a counterpoint except a gut feeling that had only grown stronger the more people they'd interrogated, instead of receding.

"I'm going to get some sleep," Jessie announced. "Tomorrow, I go to pursue my career as a star!"

"Jessie…" James said softly, but she had already flounced down on her bedroll, turned over with her back to her teammates. Meowth padded over to where James sat, and James turned to the third member of their trio. "Meowth, you have to help me stop her," he whispered. "Please, you must know this isn't a good idea."

"I won't pretend ta be happy 'bout it," Meowth shrugged. "But if dis is what Jess wants, dere ain't nuttin' we can do ta stop her anyway."

"I know," James sighed. "But…I don't think this is what she wants…"

"If dere's sumt'in' youse wanna say ta give her a reason ta stay, bettah say it now," Meowth told him.

"Like what?" James asked, blinking.

The cat Pokémon shrugged, a smirk tugging his curled lips. "Dat ain't my place ta butt in," he replied cryptically.

"Oh, very helpful!" James hissed furiously, but Meowth was already walking away to curl up in the corner.

Sleep did not come easily for James that night, his mind consumed with a frantic need to find a way to keep Jessie from going to Starstruck Academy. But when the sun rose, he was no closer to coming up with a plan than he had been when that rich creep had walked away from them in the contest building. All he could do was stall, and stall he did, desperately, every moment of Jessie's remaining preparations was spent with him trying to disrupt her, and when she left, he made her stop every chance he got.

She was leaving all her Rocket uniforms behind, having packed only a few sets of regular clothes and one or two personal care products, even Wobbuffet's Pokéball was left abandoned at the base. For every step Jessie took through Motostoke after finally managing to leave, James harangued five or six different people about Donovan Star and Starstruck Academy, or else forced her to eat breakfast, and later lunch when he managed to delay her that far. He got several punches to the back of his head for his efforts, but Jessie's punches had never bothered him nearly as much as the foreboding that pressed down on him harder and harder the closer they came to the northeastern border of the city.

It was evening by the time they finally emerged from the city proper into the edge of the wild area surrounding the settlements of Galar. There was a simple if neatly-kept dirt path that led around a couple of hills, and then…

All three Rockets stopped dead as they turned a corner and were faced with the Star family estate. A wrought-iron gate was set into a thick wall of golden brick, beyond which elegant gardens of blooming flowers bordered cobblestone walkways leading up to an enormous manor. To Jessie, it looked like a dream; to James, though, it looked like his childhood home, and that was the last push he needed to reach out and grab Jessie's arm to prevent her from going any further.

"Jessie, don't do this," he told her, stepping around to physically block her path. "Please, Jess, this is a bad idea. Let's just leave."

"Would you quit it?!" Jessie snapped, jerking her arm back and punching him with her free hand. "You've done nothing but get in my way all day! What is your problem?!"

"This is a bad idea," James repeated firmly, ignoring the blow and keeping his boots firmly planted in her path. "Please, Jess, just trust me, there's something fishy going on with Donovan Star, you need to walk away."

"How is there anything fishy about him?" she demanded. "Everyone in town insists he's legitimate."

"I don't know!" James groaned, frustrated. "I can't explain it, Jess, but something about him just gives me the willies."

"Oh, I see what's going on here," she sneered. "You're just jealous because Donovan Star is a much more magnificent and glamorous man than you'll ever be!"

"He is not!" James yelped, bristling angrily. "You take that back this instant!"

"He is too and you know it!" Jessie sniped back, her red-painted lips curling cruelly as she saw how deep the insult had cut.

As much as he wanted to defend himself, James knew he couldn't afford to let a petty squabble about appearances distract him from the matter at hand. As he gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his anger, Meowth stepped over and nudged him in the shin.

"Bettah say it now," the cat Pokémon whispered. "It's now or nevah."

"Jessie," James said, drawing as much air into his lungs as he could, straightening up to meet her eyes.

Meowth blinked in surprise, his breath catching. Was James actually going to say it?

"We…We're Team Rocket," James told her. "We're partners, remember? Career criminals. You can't just walk away from that."

Nope. Meowth sighed. Why had he even gotten his hopes up?

"What's so great about being part of Team Rocket anyway?" Jessie huffed, and James started, shocked by her words. "Our lives have been nothing but a string of constant failures, barely managing to keep from getting fired, scrounging for food and repeatedly getting beaten up by twerps."

"It's…It's not so bad…" James whimpered.

"Just because you don't have any ambition, James, doesn't mean I should be held down at your level and forced to barely scrape by for the rest of my life," Jessie spat. "I'm meant for greater things, and it's about time I got a chance to pursue my destiny. Now get out of my way."

Desperately, James searched for something else he could say to stop her, and came up empty. When Jessie stepped past him and approached the wrought-iron barrier, he didn't move. Distantly, he heard her buzz the intercom at the gate, but he didn't register the exchange; all he heard was the creak of the bars opening, and that was when he turned to see the way open to his partner.

"Jessie?"

She stopped and looked back over her shoulder.

"I…" James swallowed. "I hope this is everything you've ever dreamed of."

"Of course it is," she dismissed. "Don't worry, James, you'll see me again - on the big screen, where I belong."

"I hope so," he whispered as she turned and walked away.

Back when they'd been in training, he'd made her a solemn pledge that he would never let her down; now, as she crossed the threshold onto the Star family estate, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd broken that promise. Even knowing that there was no real reason to doubt that Jessie was finally going to get to pursue her dreams, when the gates thundered shut behind her, James simply could not get rid of the lead weight of certainty in his gut that, by letting her enroll in Starstruck Academy, he was making the biggest mistake of his life.

~R~

Jessie's heart was pounding as she approached Donovan Star's manor, already anticipating being faced with the breathtaking sight of the man himself. I can't let myself end up dumbstruck again, she told herself firmly. Yes, he's magnificent, but so am I. I need to keep my head if I want to impress him.

Past rows upon rows of blooming, fragrant flowers of all colors, Jessie finally made her way up the marble steps to the massive double doors that served as the entrance to the mansion. Gathering her pride, she raised a fist and knocked on the polished wood twice.

Immediately, the doors opened, and there he was, as regal as he had been the night before - possibly even more so, now that he was in his own element. His perfect lips curled into a lazy smile as his mahogany eyes met hers.

"Darling," he purred. "I'm delighted to see you again so soon."

"I would have been here sooner if someone hadn't tried to hold me up," Jessie huffed.

"Is that so?" he asked, and his smile went a bit crooked. "It occurs to me, my dear, that I don't know your name. Might I ask it of you?"

So gentlemanly…So magnificent… "J-Jessie," Jessie answered. "My name is Jessie."

"Jessica," Donovan repeated slowly, languidly, rolling every letter around in his mouth before allowing it to fall from his tongue, and Jessie swooned. No one ever called her by her full name, but the way it sounded on his lips was positively captivating… "A pleasure. May I assume from the bag on your shoulder that you've come to enroll?"

"I have, yes," Jessie replied, lifting her chin.

"Then, please, come inside," he told her, stepping back and brandishing a hand in invitation.

Knees somewhat shaky, Jessie obliged, stepping across the threshold into a grand entryway. Behind her, Donovan closed and locked the doors while a pair of Indeedee lowered a solid metal bar across the way.

"Let's step into my parlor," Donovan said, maneuvering around her to stride through his mansion. "That way we can discuss all the details of your stay here in comfort."

Jessie followed him, her face turning this way and that as she took in the veritable palace she'd walked into. Everywhere she looked, there were displays of wealth, crushed velvet drapes and oil paintings and ornate ceramic vases holding fresh flowers, shiny marble floors and soft shag carpets laced with gold, polished mahogany and carved banisters and crystal chandeliers. Everything was extravagant, but nowhere was it gaudy, it was all tasteful right down to the faint aroma of incense that didn't quite obscure the potent musk of old money, and Jessie thought Donovan might actually be even more wealthy than James's family.

Never mind a dream; this place felt like a fairy tale.

Up a set of stairs and down a hall, Donovan eventually opened a door to a very posh and cozy room that looked as well-lived-in as it was absurdly rich. Aside from Donovan, Jessie hadn't seen any other humans in the estate, just a few uniformed Indeedee hard at work maintaining the place's splendor; inside the parlor itself, Donovan's Serperior was curled up in front of a merrily burning wood fireplace, and two more Indeedee stood ready to take their master's orders.

"Ah, good," Donovan said at the sight of the two Pokémon servants. "Indeedee, dears, won't you please fetch some refreshments for our guest?"

"Dee dee!" the pair of Pokémon chirped, nodding, and they trotted out of the room.

"Please, Jessica, make yourself comfortable," Donovan encouraged, gesturing to a thickly-cushioned couch on the other side of a small coffee table. Jessie obediently walked over and sat down, sinking into the feathers and silk of the seat with a sigh of contentment. The man himself took the lounge chair opposite her, flouncing down and sprawling out across the shining pillows, limbs draped in a perfect display of sophisticated grace, like a Suicune at rest in a bed of flowers. Arceus help her, he was so gorgeous…! "Now then, darling," he said, and she forced herself to blink back to awareness, "I'm sure you must have questions for me."

"I…" Stop drooling and get it together! Jessie silently shouted at herself. "I don't know where to begin," she managed at last. "All of this seems so…" She trailed off, unable to find the right words.

He laughed softly, the sound wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "Unlikely?" he supplied. "Sudden? My dear, there is no time like the present. You were incredibly fortunate that I happened to be watching that pathetic excuse for a contest when you took the stage, but why question such fortune? Indeed, it only serves as further evidence that you are destined for greatness, for stardom. Why else would fate bring us together?"

"But how exactly are you going to make me a star?" Jessie asked. "I'd like to know more about exactly what you're offering me."

"And I'm happy to oblige," he purred.

At that moment, the two Indeedee came back in, one bearing a platter of bite-sized hand pies, the other carrying a dish with two fluted glasses and a cut crystal decanter of a pinkish-orange liquid.

"Please, help yourself," Donovan told her as the plates were placed delicately on the low table between them.

He sat up to uncap the decanter and fill both glasses with the drink that Jessie could now see was slightly fizzy. He took one glass and a pie, and Jessie mirrored his movement, though she didn't sip from her glass until he did first, out of politeness. Fine bubbles laced a sweet-and-spicy flavor - a mix of pecha and pinap berry juice, she realized. As for the pie, it held seasoned meat and a few caramelized onions, all of which melted in her mouth, and she couldn't help a soft moan of delight.

"Now then," Donovan said, having swallowed his own treat, "to answer your question: I like to think of an individual's potential as a lump of clay. Some are of finer quality than others, but even the finest needs a true master to properly mold it. That's where I come in. Jessica, I have never seen such fine potential as I see in you, and if you sign on to stay here, I will be the potter who shapes you into a work of art that will be renowned the world over for its glory. I will train you in many forms of dance, showmanship, and stage presence, until your form is absolutely flawless, then put you on display for the world to see. Your name will be legend, my dear."

"Hmm." Jessie swallowed another mouthful of fizzy juice. "Do you say that to every girl you bring into this parlor?" she asked, proud of herself for managing a teasing tone.

"I might," he smirked, giving her a sly wink. "But I've never meant it as sincerely as I do now. Jessica…" He sat forward, deep brown eyes gleaming in the low light. "I've been scouting this region for talent for two years, and found very few I thought were even worth training. When I saw you, I knew that you are what I've always been looking for - you have a gift, a commanding and graceful presence that's just begging to be refined into a masterpiece, and I would consider it a tragedy if you never realized your full potential. That, I don't say to every girl who sits in my parlor."

"And what do I have to do?" Jessie asked, her heart pounding against her ribcage.

"Just read this contract," he said, pulling a piece of paper out of his elaborate coat, "and sign at the bottom. All the terms and conditions of your stay here are detailed in clear and concise terms for your convenience. Oh, you didn't bring any Pokémon with you, did you?" he asked abruptly.

"No," Jessie answered. "That Wobbuffet was the only Pokémon I have right now, and I'd hate for it to embarrass me in a place like this."

"Good," Donovan smiled. "You'll have no need for Pokémon in here, darling. Now, read your contract." He extended the paper to her.

Jessie fought to keep her hand from shaking as she reached for the form. She held out her other hand for a pen, but Donovan didn't offer one.

"Aren't you going to give me a way to sign it, too?" she asked him.

"Read it first," he told her, his lips curling. "I'd hate to be accused of keeping you here under false pretenses."

If an alarm bell rang at the back of Jessie's mind at this strange choice of words, she ignored it. Sitting back with another hand pie, she skimmed over the contract, nibbling on the delicacy as she read, searching for a catch in the fine print. Within the first two paragraphs were mentions of how she was "not allowed to leave the Star estate except for performances" and "forbidden from any form of public defamation of Mr. Star regardless of truthfulness", and that she was agreeing to "submit to Mr. Star's unique training methods", but if any of these inspired an instinctive misgiving, she dismissed it; instead, she searched for the price of admission, the conditions under which she would be expelled, some indication that there was no way this dream come true would last. In that regard, though, the contract seemed adamant that she would not be expelled for any reason, that there were no fail conditions, going so far as to state that she wouldn't be allowed to quit even if she wanted to, and indeed, it quite clearly detailed that she would not have to pay a single Pokédollar for her stay here, that all her expenses and needs would be covered in full by Donovan Star. In a way, she was essentially agreeing to make him her legal guardian for most intents and purposes, all her rights would go through him from now on. In fact…

"All legal records of me will be wiped clean?" she asked, blinking in surprise as she looked up at him. "How did you know I have a criminal record?"

Surprise flashed in Donovan's eyes, but he regained his composure so quickly she might have imagined it. "It's amazing what money can buy," he purred. "Whatever came before your enrollment doesn't matter now, darling Jessica; all that matters is your future. Nothing in your past can hold you back from embracing your glorious destiny."

"Not even if I have records in other regions?" Jessie questioned.

"Do you?" Donovan asked. "Where?"

"A…A few…" Jessie stammered, suddenly nervous.

"More than one?" Donovan tilted his head. "Hmm…Well, not to worry, my dear, I can make it all disappear, you have my word on that; indeed, if you've seen other regions, then the later stages of my plans for you will go even more smoothly than I anticipated." He smirked. "Nothing from your past can haunt you when I buy it out of existence, and I will. Just sign the dotted line, darling, and I'll make you shine."

Jessie swallowed, amazed. Of course, her history with Team Rocket was always something she'd known would prevent her from ever becoming a true idol; even being a Pokémon coordinator had required her to go in disguise and give the contest runners fake names. Now, Donovan was offering to set her free of that burden, she could be a star just as herself and no one would ever know about her crimes even when she became a famous celebrity under public scrutiny. It all seemed too good to be true.

Gulping down the last of her drink, she forced herself to finish reading the contract, though she already felt as though she couldn't sign it fast enough. The entire last paragraph detailed what Donovan would be giving her in return for her enrollment, promises of stardom and performances across the regions, fame and fortune and prestige and everything she'd ever wanted.

"Have you finished reading, my dear?" Donovan asked when she looked up at him again.

"Yes," she breathed. "Yes, please, give me a pen, I'll sign!"

His grin stretched wide as he produced an enormous quill that looked like it was made from a Pidgeot tail feather and handed it to her across the table, setting down a small bottle of black fluid with his other hand. Jessie swiped the pen up eagerly, dipped it in the pot, placed the form on the polished wood, and signed her name with such fervor it was lucky the ink didn't streak.

"Excellent!" Donovan proclaimed, taking back the pen and bottle and tucking them into his coat, lifting the contract with his other hand and waving it gently so the signature would dry. "Welcome to Starstruck Academy, Jessica. It's an honor to have you."

"It's an honor to be here," Jessie replied, quickly eating another pie.

"Indeed it is," Donovan chuckled. "Once our refreshments run out, I'll show you where you'll be staying." He stood up and walked around the table to her, then picked up the decanter and filled both their glasses again, holding hers out to her. She took it, and he smiled. "A toast," he said. "To you, darling Jessica…my future leading lady."

"To me," Jessie smiled, clinking her glass against his, and she drank, as he did.

The slumbering Serperior roused from where it was coiled up by the fire and slithered over to Donovan. The human picked up a hand pie and tossed it to his Pokémon, who caught it in its mouth with practiced ease, before picking up another for himself and sitting back down.

"So," he said, tucking her contract into his coat at last, "you've seen other regions. Where have you traveled?"

"I've been to Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola," Jessie recited, ticking them off mentally. "And now Galar, of course. I've competed in Pokémon contests the world over - I was one of the finalists for the Kalos crown."

"So young, and already so well-traveled," he remarked. "I'm impressed, darling."

"And I would have won more contests, too, if not for a group of meddling twerps," Jessie scowled, cramming another pie into her mouth.

"Perhaps it's the Pokémon that were to blame for your losses," Donovan suggested. "If it was you who was the focal point, I doubt any lowlife could match your elegance."

"You really think so?" Jessie asked, heat creeping into her cheeks. She blinked and quickly added, "Well, you're right of course. Those twerps just got lucky with the Pokémon battles."

"Well, as I said, you won't be needing any Pokémon here," Donovan smiled. "My Indeedee will take care of you, as well as a couple of other employed Pokémon; now that you're in my care, you can just focus all your attention on becoming the best idol you can be."

"That's all I've ever wanted," Jessie heard herself confess.

Donovan chuckled softly and got to his feet, sauntering towards the fireplace. The effect of the firelight playing across his silhouette was a work of art, and Jessie couldn't help staring at him for a minute, enraptured. Struggling not to fall into a trance, she forced herself onto shaking legs, trying to be bold as she picked up the last pie and went to join him in front of the crackling flames. Above the mantlepiece were two ornately-framed oil paintings, one of a man, one of a woman. Both gazed out on the room with warm, regal eyes.

"Who are they?" Jessie asked Donovan, gesturing to the paintings with her glass, desperate to find some form of small talk to engage with him.

"My poor late mother and father," Donovan sighed. "Both died years ago, Yveltal rest their souls, and left their entire fortune to me."

"Oh?" Jessie blinked, looking at him. "You don't look that old."

He chuckled, giving her a sidelong grin. "Tragic accidents, both of them," he said. "My mother was struck down by a poorly-diagnosed case of pneumonia, and my father choked to death on his own dinner one night. I had to watch them both die…" He turned to face her fully. "Have you ever watched someone choke to death, Jessica?" he asked, his voice almost strangely soft. "The bulging eyes and tongue, the way the face turns red, then purple, then blue…" To her surprise, he visibly shivered. "Truly dreadful," he murmured. His Serperior slid over to wrap around his legs, purring its name, and he stroked the leafy green head.

"Well," Jessie huffed, "at least they didn't abandon you to a life of poverty when you were just a baby."

Donovan blinked at that.

"We all have our family dramas," she went on, doing her best to convey how thoroughly unimpressed she was. "What does it matter? As you said, the past means nothing; all that matters is the future we build for ourselves."

For a moment, Donovan met her eyes with a nakedness that stole her breath. "You really aren't like other girls, are you, Jessica?" he asked at last, his tone unreadable, and she swayed on her feet.

"I try not to be," she preened, effectively hiding the nest of Butterfree that seemed to be holding a ten-way Pokémon battle in her stomach. If he kisses me now, I may pass out…

"Well, it's late," he said abruptly. "Have you had enough to eat?"

"I'm fine," she assured him, popping the last hand pie in her mouth and chewing it quickly, washing it down with the rest of her juice. "When do I start?"

"Your first lesson will be early tomorrow morning," Donovan told her. "The other girls will help you settle in, I'm sure. Follow me."

One of the Indeedee took his glass, and Jessie allowed the other to take hers. Adjusting the pack on her shoulder, she followed Donovan out into the hall. She felt lightheaded, but in a good way; it was all still sinking in, that she was really going to get to be an idol, just like she'd always wanted, the career of her dreams since her childhood was finally within her grasp. What was more, she was going to be living with the most magnificent, majestic man she'd ever seen - and he thought she was special! Maybe, if she impressed him enough, he might even offer her the fairy-tale wedding that had always made up the other half of her fantasies…

Down two halls, around three bends, up two flights of stairs and down another hall, Donovan led Jessie through a veritable maze of wealth and privilege, and she tried to memorize as much of the place as she could, just in case she could possibly be the mistress of this house one day. Finally, he stopped at a heavy oak door and took a large, heavily-laden keyring out of his jacket, picking out a gold key and turning it in the lock with one hand while undoing a heavy deadbolt with the other. Faint moonlight shone from inside as he pushed the door open, and Jessie stepped around him to see four rows of twin beds, most of which were occupied, arranged among one or two potted plants, a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling that wasn't currently lit.

"Girls," Donovan announced, reaching over and flicking a light switch, "wake up. We have a new member."

The room was suddenly illuminated in a soft, rosy glow, set off by tasteful pink wallpaper. All of the people Jessie had noticed sitting or lying in the silk-fitted beds were indeed girls, she saw now, some a bit older than her, one or two notably younger. Skin and hair color varied widely, but they all had a similar slim, fit build…and they all kept their heads down, their mouths closed.

"This is Jessica," Donovan told them. "She'll be staying with us from now on. I trust you all to make her feel welcome and help her understand what's expected of her here." As a soft murmur of "yes, sir" whispered through the room, he turned a radiant smile on Jessie. "Breakfast is at seven-thirty in the morning," he told her; "don't sleep in, or you'll miss it. One way or another, you will be fully outfitted and ready to start on your first class by eight-thirty."

"That won't be a problem," Jessie assured him.

His smile widened. "Sleep well, Jessica," he said, his voice low and sultry; behind him, Serperior hissed the first half of its name.

With that, he turned off the light, left the room, and closed the door behind him. Jessie heard the click of the lock and the thunk of the deadbolt, and then his footsteps faded into the distance.

None of the girls had moved from their beds; most were staring at her, but from what she could see in the moonlight, they looked almost…sorrowful? Already intimidated by my superiority, Jessie thought, lifting her nose into the air, and she strutted through the room, headed for a window.

"It's a bit stuffy in here," she remarked to her new classmates, and she grasped the window frame and tugged. It didn't budge. She struggled for a minute, but the panes of glass seemed to be held together by metal instead of wood, bars that were set all the way into the wall… "How does this open, anyway?" she demanded.

"It doesn't," a soft voice said behind her.

Jessie turned to see a pretty brunette girl hugging her knees on her bed.

"It's locked," she murmured. "He can unlock it, but even then, it won't open very far."

"Well, that's a bit of an oversight," Jessie huffed. "Can't he afford to pay someone to fix it?"

"It's exactly the way he wants it," the girl said, her voice still soft, almost timid. She swallowed, then gestured to the bed next to her, right in front of the window Jessie had been pulling at. "That bed's free, if you want it."

"Hmph," Jessie responded, dropping her bag next to the bed and sitting down. It was a feather mattress, the silk was soft and smooth, and she smiled.

"How'd he catch you?" the girl asked as Jessie kicked off her hiking boots and scooted onto the soft cushioning.

"He saw me performing at a contest and realized my talents were being wasted on Pokémon," Jessie answered haughtily.

"Hmm…" The girl curled in on herself tighter, then blinked and raised her head, looking Jessie in the eye for the first time. "Listen," she said, "he'll go easy on you at first, since you're new. Just…do as he says, okay? Trust me, it…makes it easier."

"I'm sure I'll have no trouble living up to whatever performance Donovan will demand of me," Jessie declared proudly. Sweeping her gaze over the room full of girls, she pointedly added, "Don't make me carry any of you, though."

No one responded directly. One girl leaned over to whisper something to another next to her, but instead of a giggle, the second girl just nodded, almost sadly.

"…You should get some sleep," the girl who'd been talking to Jessie finally said. "You're going to need it."

With one final huff of arrogance, Jessie twisted herself under the silk sheets and nestled into the feather bed, closing her eyes and envisioning her glorious future on the big stage. There would be spotlights, a packed stadium applauding for her, and she would dance and sing, her every movement captivating…and Donovan would be there, her dance partner, magnificent as she was, both of them shining like the stars they were. As she drifted off into sleep, she imagined being spun in a twirl and dipped down in his arms, his lips meeting hers as the audience cheered, and smiled.

Dreams do come true…

"Dreadfully, terribly, something is amiss, but I won't mind the feeling, it's all made up in my head. Destiny's melody calling out to me, so what I'm gonna do is fall for you and walk out to the edge…" -Into the Pit, DHeusta ft. Dawko (yes I know it's a Five Nights at Freddy's song, but the lyrics almost work arguably better here)