Author's Note:
Please read this before reading the story. This story takes place in an alternate universe (AU) and is sort of a sequel to a story I have not posted yet because I was not happy with the draft. It was a little too dark, and I wasn't happy with the writing. That said, though, I've included a few notes to help you keep up with what's happening so that you don't have to read that other story.
One of the Team Rocket admins, against Giovanni's orders, went back in time to the beginning of Ash's Pokemon journey, kidnapped Ash, and forced him to work for Team Rocket by threatening to hurt Pikachu if he didn't comply.
Ash met James and his friends when he was tasked with stealing rare Pokemon from a ranch where James and Jessie were staying.
Jessie, James, and Meowth were not members of Team Rocket when they met Ash.
Jessie convinced James and Meowth to join Team Rocket to free Ash and Pikachu after they figured out that they were there against their will.
This story takes place in an AU where James successfully ran away from home with Growlie instead of getting engaged to his fiance. As a result, his life was a little better, and he was able to meet up with Jessie and Meowth under slightly different circumstances. This story is inspired by the "What if James never got engaged" video and the "What if Ash was in Team Rocket" story, but I added many of my own ideas.
Disclaimer: Pokemon does not belong to me. It belongs to Nintendo and whoever has legal rights to it
Giovanni sat back in his chair, a small scowl on his face, looking thoughtful. He didn't look mad exactly, more like intensely frustrated.
"You three have caused me a lot of trouble, and that's...putting it mildly."
Persian sat lazily on the desk flicking its tail back and forth.
"Persmeow."
The boss of Team Rocket leaned forward in his chair and laced his fingers together as he talked.
"Normally I would not tolerate such a display of insubordination; you'd all be subjected to extreme disciplinary action," Giovanni said. On the last syllable, his voice rose to almost a howl, and he pounded his fist on the desk for added emphasis.
The Persian on his desk gave a panicked look, jumped down, and ran and hid underneath its master's chair.
The three humans watched anxiously as Giovanni finished his mini-tantrum.
Team Rocket's leader sat back up, took a deep breath, and let out a growl.
"I mean the audacity of you two, Jessie and James, joining my organization and posing as agents just to help a Pokemon the admins were planning to experiment on! You could have exposed my entire operation!"
"That was my Pikachu!" Ash spat.
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu growled. It had its tiny paws balled into fists.
"And you, Ash Ketchum, ungrateful little brat! The admins spoke so highly of you! I thought I was going to be able to trust you with the most sensitive of missions, and then, you go and pull...this!"
Ash put his head down and breathed heavily. Anger was coursing through his body.
"I...was here against my will, sir," Ash said slowly. The young Pokemon trainer felt more like giving Team Rocket's boss some choice words but decided he should try to control his temper and handle it as calmly as he could. It was no secret that he hated the organization for what they did to him, but an outburst right now just wouldn't be worth it.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed.
"Persian!" the Persian growled.
Giovanni patted his leg, and Persian jumped back on the desk, where the boss of Team Rocket resumed petting it.
"So I've heard..." Giovanni said quietly.
Ash felt mocked by the boss of Team Rocket's calmness and was still struggling not to have an outburst, not to yell and scream and point out how unfair everything was. Besides, they already knew; they had to know.
There was a pause. Jessie and James were standing close to each other and holding each other's hands nervously.
"Well, in spite of the folly you three almost brought to the organization, no real harm came to us, and I'm guessing none of you would be stupid enough to go tell the police anything if I were to let you go, because I promise you, if you did, it would not go well for you."
"Persians!" the cat Pokemon on the boss's desk yelled.
What about what you and your organization did to me and Pikachu? Kidnapping a Pokemon trainer on the second day of his journey and holding him hostage, forcing him to harass innocent people for their Pokemon? Causing so much trouble that you brought innocent people into this mess?
Ash looked away from Giovanni, and his angry look disappeared a little as he looked at Jessie and James, the young couple who joined just to disrupt Team Rocket's plans.
At least there are still good people in the world. Ash said to himself.
Jessie and James were now standing so close to each other they had locked arms.
"...so I think that's what I'll do," Giovanni said. The last part of the sentence was said in a surprisingly pleasant tone.
Ash's scowl returned, and he put his head down. He didn't hear the boss's words; he was still lost in his own thoughts. The Pikachu on his shoulder twitched in annoyance at his trainer's sour mood.
"You're...just letting us go, sir?" James asked cautiously.
Giovanni's gaze narrowed and he stared at the Team Rocket agent.
"Would you rather I did something else, James? I assure you, I have punishments almost as bad as death for traitors like you three."
"N-no no sir! W-we were just we just meant that..." Jessie stammered.
"...that's actually kind of generous considering all of the grief we three put you through," James finished.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
Ash lifted his head a bit. Was he really just letting them go? Was this nightmare finally going to be over? The young Pokemon trainer felt a flutter of hope in his chest, but he suppressed it. His breathing became more shallow as he slowly crushed that feeling of elation. Team Rocket had made promises to let him go before, but it never happened.
Giovanni rolled his eyes.
"Keeping you three would be more costly than profitable...plus, you did help expose corruption among my admins. I suppose I should be at least a little grateful for that...but don't expect me to be so generous next time!"
Jessie and James backed away.
The boss of Team Rocket reached into his desk and pulled out some papers.
"This is a release contract."
I wonder what the catch is this time. Ash thought.
"Simply agree not to get into Team Rocket's way ever shall we cross paths again, and you'll all be free to go," Giovanni said quietly.
There's the catch.
Jessie and James rushed to grab the pen.
"I suppose you'll want the uniforms back, too?" James asked.
"Keep them," Giovanni said.
"Are you sure, sir?" Jessie asked.
"I don't really care what you do with them, and perhaps you three need something to remind you of this little adventure...to remind you not to do it again," Giovanni said. The last part was said in a low growl.
Persian followed with a low warning growl of its own.
It was Ash's turn to sign the contract. The young Pokemon trainer held the pen and hovered it over the paper.
"I...can't!" Ash finally said.
"What?" Jessie and James asked.
Jessie grabbed Ash's hand.
"Sign that contract already! Do you know what we went through to get you out of here?" Jessie asked.
"We didn't come all the way here so you can turn around and go back to a lifestyle that you obviously hate!" James agreed
Ash snatched the pen away from Jessie and turned to Giovanni. Anger from some of the past wrongs Team Rocket had done to him was flashing in the young Pokemon trainer's eyes. Ash blinked away small tears and tried to swallow his fear.
"It's just that..."
The young Pokemon trainer hung his head and started shaking and trying to will away the need to cry or lash out.
"I'm not going to stand by and let your team do things to innocent Pokemon, not after what you did to me and Pikachu!" Ash yelled.
"Pikachu!"
Giovanni leaned back in his chair.
"I see...so you want to stay with us, then?"
"No...I..." Ash stammered. Frustration was building. Maybe Team Rocket was just toying with him.
Jessie and James grabbed Ash by the hand and pulled him away.
"Hey! Let me go, let me..."
James covered Ash's mouth and made a "hush" sound.
Ash complied. After all, Jessie and James were the nicest people he met while he was a member of Team Rocket, and that was ironic considering they were his victims. How many people would try to help you after you tried to steal their Pokemon? Ash admired their bravery and hated what he tried to do to the young couple under Team Rocket's orders.
"Excuse me, we'll be just a moment," Jessie said.
The boss of Team Rocket furrowed his brow in a look of mild annoyance.
Ash allowed himself to be led behind a nearby wall. Once he was there, he tried not to look the young couple in the eyes. They didn't have to do any of this for him, and even though he was grateful, he felt embarrassed and ashamed that innocent people like them got dragged into this.
"Okay, twerp, let us know why you want to blow your big exit," Jessie growled.
"We didn't do all of this for ourselves, you know," James said.
"We could have made fools of ourselves in much better places than this," Jessie said.
Ash was quiet for a few seconds then sighed, finally looking at his wannabe rescuers.
"You two know why. James, I know you'd feel bad if you had to sit by while Team Rocket took your Meowth, Koffing, or Growlithe, and Jessie, I'm sure you'd feel the same way about Ekans and Ditto, and well, I'd do anything for Pikachu," Ash said.
"I'd do anything for my precious Growlie," James said.
"And Ekans means more to me than the lives of some of my enemies," Jessie said.
The two embraced and cried for a second, then looked back at Ash.
Jessie and James nodded their heads and gave a hum of understanding.
"We'd do anything to protect the ones we love," Jessie said.
"...and that's where tactful deceit comes in," James said.
Ash looked at Jessie and James. The young Pokemon trainer honestly wasn't sure what some of those words meant.
"No one will know if you're lying. Right now, we're just trying to get you out of here," Jessie said.
"But if they come after me, I'll have to fight," Ash said.
"...but if you don't leave, you won't even get that chance," James whispered.
"If Team Rocket keeps you, you and any Pokemon you collect will be at their complete mercy," Jessie said.
"...and as you've seen, there isn't much of that," James added.
"So I should just agree on paper and fight them if it comes to it?" Ash asked.
Jessie and James nodded their heads and hummed in agreement.
Ash took a deep breath and stilled himself. He didn't like to lie to people, but it looked like it was the best option this time. Hopefully, it would only be this time.
...
The three finally emerged from behind that wall. They must have been there for a good five minutes.
Ash stilled himself, swallowed hard, and took a deep breath. Shakily, he took the pen and scrawled his signature.
Giovanni took the contract and rolled it up before placing it back in the desk drawer.
"There. You're free to go. I'll have the guards escort you out."
The Persian on his desk hissed loudly.
"Don't come back," Giovanni added coldly.
Ash's throat felt dry. His mind raced as he was forced to think about all of the ways Team Rocket could go back on their promise. He didn't trust Giovanni and wasn't sure they were really going to let him go.
...
In a few seconds, Team Rocket grunts dressed as guards came to Giovanni's office and unceremoniously carried Ash, Jessie, and James out and dumped them at the entrance of the hideout.
"And stay out!" one of the grunts yelled.
After a few moments, Ash, Jessie, and James looked around.
"We're out? We're out? We're really out!" Ash, Jessie, and James said.
"Pikachu! Pika Pi!"
Ash and Pikachu embraced and did a victory dance.
James smiled and gave a small laugh.
Jessie stood up.
"Well, it looks like our work here is done," Jessie said flatly.
She then looked at her partner who was still watching the two celebrate.
"Come on James, we need to find somewhere to stay for the night," Jessie said.
Ash and Pikachu stopped celebrating once they heard Jessie's statement.
"Huh? Stay for the night? Don't you guys own a Pokemon ranch?" Ash asked.
Jessie and James looked at each other and then gave a slight giggle.
"Oh? You thought that was our ranch, huh?" James asked.
"Unfortunately, we aren't that well off, kid," Jessie said.
"I don't understand," Ash said.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked.
James sighed.
"That ranch is something my parents bought a long time ago, but they never use it, so sometimes I go there to hide out," James said.
"It's better than sleeping in the streets," Jessie said.
"But...but that means that money you offered me...wasn't yours?" Ash asked. There was a small look of horror on his face.
"Nope," James said flatly.
"That means...that means...you two are thieves!" Ash said. The young Pokemon trainer wore a shocked expression.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Hi pot, I'm kettle, nice to meet you," Jessie said mockingly.
"My name is Ash," Ash said.
"I know what your name is...it was an expression," Jessie said in a frustrated tone.
James looked up from whatever he was doing and joined the conversation.
"In this context, it means don't judge us for something you were doing, too," James said.
"...but...but I was forced into it," Ash said.
"Pika! Pika!"
"Well, we kind of were, too," Jessie said.
Ash and Pikachu looked at Jessie.
"Huh?"
"Pikachu?"
"Our life's circumstances would make it very difficult to live lives within the confines of the law," James said.
"...but that's really not your concern," Jessie said.
Ash sighed.
"Besides, you have no right to judge. If it wasn't for us, you'd still be on a short leash at the Team Rocket admins' beck and call," Jessie said.
"You're right, but...look, you guys don't have to live outside the law," Ash said.
"Pika-chu," Pikachu cooed in agreement.
Jessie raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, you two could become Pokemon trainers, like me, or...we could help you find jobs. Professor Oak's sometimes hiring lab assistants, and..." Ash said.
Jessie cut him off.
"Kid, we have criminal records; we doubt anyone would actually hire us," Jessie said.
"Yeah, once you've qualified to work for Team Rocket, your life is pretty much shot," James said.
"I qualified, and I don't think I'm a lost cause," Ash said.
"You're a special case," Jessie said.
"I wonder what the admins wanted with you," James said.
"Something about me and other 'chosen trainers' always messing up their plans and needing to be kept out of the way," Ash replied.
"Sounds interesting," Jessie said coolly.
"So, is Pikachu your only Pokemon?" James asked.
Ash reached over and patted Pikachu.
"Pika."
"Yeah...they took me before I could catch any more," Ash said.
"Well, I guess you've got some Pokemon catching up to do, Ketchum," Jessie said.
"Gotta 'Ketchum' all," James said with a small laugh.
No one said anything.
"Uh, sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood," James said.
Ash turned to leave.
"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you," Ash said.
Jessie paused and then spoke.
"You know, you don't have to go. James does have plenty of room at his parents' Pokemon ranch, and I know you think it's like stealing, but it really does belong to his parents, and we wouldn't mind having you," Jessie said.
"We're actually a little worried about you. After everything we went through to get you out...I know Team Rocket let us go and everything, but I don't know if we should be so trusting of the situation," James said.
"How about you stay here tonight, and we go with you to a Pokemon Center in the morning? If you have any friends or relatives you trust, you can call them and at least let them know you're okay."
Ash paused.
"What do you think, Pikachu?"
"Pikachu," Pikachu said. The little mouse Pokemon had a smile on its face.
"Okay," Ash said flatly.
...
The three people headed to the house on the Pokemon ranch. James jarred the door a little.
"I hope no one's home," Ash whispered.
"Don't worry. Like I said earlier, my parents are on vacation, and they don't really mind," James said.
"You worry too much," Jessie said.
"I've just never broken into someone's house to sleep before," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Well, they didn't know I was coming, so they didn't leave a key," James said.
Ash gave James a worried look.