Into the World of Monsters

by Voyager Wisp

Monsters only discovered a century ago seem totally normal to the current generation in Kanto, including Ash, who wants to get his badges and compete in the league. Complications from Team Rocket arise, which Misty has already been dealing with. The right direction isn't always obvious. [Latest chapter: Jessie vs. Joy]

33. Jessie vs Joy

Notes: So, yes, this chapter is inspired by episode 129 with having Jessie go to pokemon nursing school, but it's also completely different.

This chapter happens to be the longest in the story by far. Maybe "too" long, but it all works best together. Enjoy.

---

33: Jessie vs. Joy

"Jessie!" Jessie heard the voice from afar before the young man finally approached her. He spoke seriously once he had her full attention. "We may want to find ourselves somewhere else to be."

That kind of statement was the last thing Jessie wanted to hear first thing in the morning, sitting out in the open, eating some leftover food from the previous day. Glancing side to side on the riverbank, nothing and no one could be seen, and from their view of the water and the corresponding bridge, there also didn't seem to be anything particularly threatening. Jessie turned her attention back to her friend, James, who she'd now been hanging around for a while. It was a surprise to meet him again here, in this city. Neither of them cared to discuss the details of their situation, but he had to be in the same boat as her, no money, plus no family or anyone else to rely on. They'd come to rely on each other, so she trusted him enough to listen to his warning. "Did you spot some kind of trouble?" she asked.

"I overheard a darkly dressed group talking. They're looking for us," James informed. "I managed to evade their view when I spotted them." James swiped his hands in front of himself, then ducked beneath them to emphasize his stealthy skills.

Jessie sighed. She wasn't afraid of them. She wasn't afraid of anyone, or so she tried to tell herself. But in reality, she was tense about the idea of being sought out, and that just made her angry. "Their mistake," she said, going for the nearest place she might toss the remnants of her last few meals away. "Who were they? Do you know?"

"I'm fairly sure they were with Team Rocket," James said.

Team Rocket? Jessie would rather never hear mention of that group ever again. "Also their mistake," she said.

"It's anyone's mistake to take us up as an enemy, isn't it?" James said, clenching his fist as he attempted an intimidating pose, looking somewhat like a kid imitating a tokusatsu hero.

On a better day, Jessie might join him in practicing some cool poses, or even creating their own, but there was more to think about at that moment. "Yeah, maybe. But cut out all that bravado," Jessie said. He continued holding the pose, his expression turning silly. Maybe it was because they'd known each other as kids, but Jessie still saw the somewhat timid boy James had been as she interacted with him now. Of course, now he was an adult man, his clothing old and well worn rather than their lux school uniforms, long hair that hadn't been trimmed pulled back in a ponytail, taller than her instead of shorter. She might not have even recognized him if he hadn't recognized her first. But after interacting a while, she certainly did see James from Pokemon Tech rather than a stranger.

"What's wrong with bravado?" James asked with a smile on his face, putting his head high in the air. "We need to believe in ourselves before others will believe what we say. We can at least put up the pretense."

That wasn't bad advice, and certainly an attitude that Jessie had adopted during her and James's various schemes as of late. She was finally putting her superb acting skills to good use after being rejected from various productions. Those skills would benefit her this time. However, James really needed to listen to such ideas more himself. He seemed alright this specific day, but when he was down, he could go back to acting like the whiny kid he'd been, or even worse in his depression. "It's not bravado," Jessie insisted as she decided to respond to him. "Not when it's all true. My apologies, James. There was no pretense in your words. Any self-made enemy of ours is going to regret it."

James nodded. "I'm just not sure I want put up the effort to be in a conflict with Team Rocket, be they a poor match or not. They do have pokemon."

Pokemon. Just the mention of the creatures was enough to dredge up various regrets and bad memories. But that was all in the past. The pair of them were both moving past that, onto lives that they wanted and deserved. The perfect lives they'd eventually work up to would involve pokemon as well, so there was no need to be sad about any past failures. "Who cares about that. They aren't even officially licensed, are they? That's why they're in Team Rocket! Just a bunch of talentless punks. How good could their pokemon be?"

"I don't know," James said, frowning for the first time that morning. "I'd love to have pokemon like they do, even if they were initially weak. If I could be accepted by them, I mean."

Ugh. James often spat out just the wrong thing. Jessie bit her lip. Of course, there were various ways to train pokemon to be stronger, so it didn't matter if these Team Rocket goons had weak pokemon or not. Either way, people in their group had pokemon, while the pair of them didn't. "Forget about that!" Jessie shouted, trying to break out of the bad mood that James had provoked. "Don't aim so low! If you want pokemon, you can get ones that are way better than theirs!"

James nodded, putting the smile back on his face. Even though it seemed forced, Jessie decided that was good enough. They both had to work at creating their own future, and just believing they could was a start. "So? Where are they hanging out?" she continued the conversation about the possible threat.

"Everywhere, like they have been," James said. "So perhaps we should consider leaving the area entirely."

"That's what I've been planning, and I won't leave before I'm ready," Jessie insisted. A bunch of punks weren't going to slow her down, not when she was this close. If she let them trip her up now, she might miss her current chance.

"I see. Of course, you did say that," James said, closing his eyes as he easily accepted her decision. "Well, I suppose we'll have to take even more care than usual to avoid them."

She'd already talked to him about her plans. He knew she was going to move to a nearby town once she had enough money. She'd have an actual place to stay, though that wasn't the reason for going. The stay there would provide a stepping stool to her true targeted life. As they went along, making their way to the bridge, Jessie tried not to think about what her friend might do without her around, though she did anyway. "What are you going to do from here?" she asked. "I mean, you were the one just saying you wanted to leave the area."

"I likely will," James said. "Are you worried how I'll fare without you?" Jessie didn't confirm or deny, and he continued. "Don't fret on my account. Like you, there's a white tomorrow waiting for me."

"Of course there is," Jessie said as they reached the bridge. The warning signs that they'd torn down the other day weren't put back up again on the footpath. The pair of them found jackets they'd hidden. The quality of the fabric was fairly cheap, but how they'd stored it kept it clean. The condition combined with the badge they'd forged made them look official. They kept them off for the moment, starting their walk across the bridge, stopping in the middle as if they wanted to sight see. Once no one else was around, they put on the fake uniform. They turned away and let a few kids pass before they saw a lady that looked like she might have some money.

"Excuse me, miss," James began. "We're collecting the toll here today."

"There's a toll on this bridge? I wasn't aware."

"You just want to use our beautiful bridge for free? These things take effort to keep up, you know! There's maintenance required!" Jessie said. "If you don't have the cash, you can just go right back the other way."

"Oh, no, I do," the lady assured, taking out her purse. "How much?"

Their victim's eyes opened wide at the number. Jessie offered a 'season pass' for twice the initially quoted amount. She handed it over to James, who gave her the 'pass' which was actually an old advertisement for the bridge back when it was new. When the sucker had walked far enough away, Jessie and James started on their own way in the opposite direction, planning to get out of sight before anyone could come back and call them out.

Jessie couldn't help but shout out in glee. They usually didn't have it that easy with their scheme. Sometimes their targets objected, insisting they knew there wasn't any toll, and had to be convinced. Other times they dared the two of them to do anything while walking right by. And of course, those that had already been targeted before knew about the scam. But today they had it easy, and so early!

Or did they? Jessie slowed down as they were reaching the end of the bridge. Two darkly dressed men blocked the way off, as if waiting for someone. James had slowed down himself, apparently also suspecting something was off. Jessie glanced his way before looking back at the men, who still just stood there, motionless, facing their way.

"We could try the other way," James suggested.

The other way was too much trouble to get to, and might have its own trouble besides. "Just keep going," Jessie said, rolling up the jacket that had disguised her as an authority as to hopefully avoid further suspicion. As she continued with confidence, James did the same right next to her. As they got closer, she noted the splotch of red on their shirts. Even they were close enough that she recognized it was an 'R'. Team Rocket, of course. Jessie elbowed James to knock the anxious expression off his face, and continued on. "Out of the way!" she shouted as they were right in front of them.

The two held out their hands in unison, as if to boss Jessie and James around. "Wait here," one said.

"Are you going to give us a reason to?" Jessie challenged, taking two further steps forward.

"Our boss wants to see you," the rocket grunt exclaimed.

"That's not a reason," Jessie said, pushing one as she tried to walk by them. James came next to her, ready to do the same. The rockets pushed them back harder, and they both fell. Jessie stood up first. "You'd better be ready to apologize! Just get out of our way!"

"You wouldn't want to make enemies of us," James added as he also got to his feet. Before he and Jessie could retaliate, one of the rockets held out the iconic red and white pokeball. That was enough to make any non-trainer hesitate. Pokemon had monstrous powers that could kill humans, after all.

"You don't like being patient? I'm here," a man's voice spoke. The rocket grunts stood aside, revealing a familiar face to Jessie and James.

It was a surly man that had been in a surefire hurry one day as he'd crossed the bridge. Getting a feel for the situation, Jessie and James had upped the price of the toll for their scam. Though he'd argued and sworn at them, they'd kept up the act, staying consistent with the outrageous toll. He'd paid. "It can't be..." James began, staring at their former victim.

"You're the rocket boss?" Jessie came to the same conclusion her friend likely had.

"That's correct. And you aren't really toll collectors, are you?" the man said.

"Anyone smart enough would have figured it out on the spot," Jessie said. The rocket grunts both took a step forward, menacingly staring her way. "You want to fight?" Jessie said. "Go ahead, I'm sure we can beat you. Grunts like you can't be any smarter than the one you follow."

"Those poor pokemon, having to follow such dull masters," James continued the taunt. "I'm sure even with pokemon to support you, a pair of humans like ourselves can win."

The grunt raised the hand with the pokeball before his boss raised his hand. "Stop. That's enough." He made sure his underling understood, putting the pokeball away, before turning back to Jessie and James. "That's correct. You two were insightful enough to trick me. And not just me, but my allies as well. I'm impressed." As the rocket boss paused, Jessie and James stood in silence, unsure what to say to the compliment. The boss soon continued, "I've heard much about you, Jessie, James. You're able to fool many people, aren't you? From the talk around town, you're able to get things done. I join many others in acknowledging you as master rogues."

James beamed in response to the praise, but Jessie wasn't that happy about it. Sure, she'd done what she had to since starting out on her own, but it wasn't like that was the life she wanted to lead forever. Being a 'master rogue' wasn't something most people looked fondly upon, and something she'd planned to move away from. That the rocket boss knew her name and reputation wasn't something to be happy about.

"There's a place for you in my organization," the rocket boss continued. "You could become much richer there with grander tasks than what you've had to stoop to here. And of course, our organization deals with pokemon. We'll eventually have all pokemon in the world, and our members will be the most powerful trainers out there. I invite you to be one of us."

Eventually. Will be. This guy sure liked to talk big. "We're fine as is," Jessie said. "We're occupied with too many other things to be absorbed into your petty group."

The grunts stepped forward, apparently there was going to be some kind of fight. But before any of them responded, James spoke up. "Excuse me Jessie, I know you have your own vision for the future in mind, but for myself, I'd like to accept the offer."

The rocket boss raised an eyebrow. "I'd hoped for both of you, but either of you are welcome," he said.

"Are you sure?" Jessie asked, wishing they were alone and free to talk in detail about this further.

"Yes," James affirmed. "The public doesn't know the full story, but Team Rocket is actually quite prestigious. For years, they've sought out pokemon using different methods than the standard. Their members are elites that go to great lengths to perform tasks that others shy away from, gaining power and knowledge that's out of reach of the general population." As the rocket grunts nodded, calming with James's positive reflection on their group, James grabbed Jessie's hand. "I can't let this opportunity pass! I'll not only get pokemon, but also be a part of an elite. One that doesn't bend to the limited visions of others."

Though she often did, Jessie couldn't get caught up with his enthusiasm this time. "They can't all be elite," she said. James had just been bashing them right along with her a few hours ago, though now that he wanted to join, he had nothing but praise. Jessie actually did know something about what her friend alluded to as well, but didn't feel like sharing. She didn't want to feel drawn into something someone that had long ago disappeared from her life might be involved in, but wouldn't argue with him about his own choices. Team Rocket wasn't so bad that she'd insist James not go off and join it, something he obviously wanted to do. Jessie would never hold him or anyone else back. "I know if you join, you'd be one of the elite," she decided to add. James nodded a bit over enthusiastically.

"That's right," the rocket boss agreed. "And you as well. My door is always open to someone as skilled as yourself. You have a relation to one of our more talented agents from the past, don't you?"

Now he was bringing up something she certainly didn't want to talk about. Jessie glared coldly back at the rocket boss, who dropped the topic. He gave directions for James to join them at his leisure, and even a contact number for Jessie who crumpled up the paper in her pocket. As the rockets left, Jessie decided not to talk more about what she thought about the group, seeing how happy James was. "They should be glad to have you. You're going to be one of their best trainers, I'm sure," she said instead.

"And you're headed to a speedy success as well," James said. "Someone like you will definitely be needed to help in the future, when Team Rocket rules the world," he added as he reached in his pocket. James then took out the money they'd gotten earlier, handing it to Jessie.

Jessie's eyes opened wide as she quickly counted it. "What about your share?" she said.

"I can wait a bit longer for my riches. Meanwhile, I don't want you to have to wait any longer to move on to what you want." James hugged her as she finished. "I'll really miss you!"

Jessie hugged him back. This wasn't easy. James had stuck with her for some years now, being the only one she could rely on, not just in the moment, but ever. She'd be missing her friend as well. But despite their feelings, they were both headed toward the futures they chose. This moment was bittersweet for sure, but focusing on the bitter would only dampen their journeys. "You'll be fine," Jessie said. "Now, what else do you have left to do? You should go on to where that guy told you without any hesitation."

"Of course." James's lip trembled as he stepped away from her. "Fare-" He stopped himself, trying to avoid tears. Jessie chuckled. He definitely could get overemotional at times, but that was just him. "For now, farewell," he said.

Jessie just waved as he left, unable to get out the good-bye herself. She pushed aside the feelings of loneliness, looking ahead. With today's cash, she finally had enough to pay for the place promised to her, and would be off the street before it really got cold. But much more importantly, she'd be starting on her own journey into the world of pokemon.

She was going to be a pokemon nurse.

---

Meowth started chattering away as they entered the town, ordering Jessie to get something from the store, James to check out the latest paper, and then various places they should go before they met up again. Jessie normally thought it talked too much - and not just for a pokemon - but that day it was particularly irritating, especially considering where they were. "Why don't you shut up and give it a rest," Jessie interrupted as they got to a bench. She sat down, hand on her chin, closing her eyes at the familiar sights around her.

James sat next to her. "Oh, Jessie, isn't that where you went to sch-" he began before Jessie shoved him to get him to shut up.

"No looking back, remember?!" she said, glowering at him before turning away, shrugging her hair over her shoulder. "Anything that doesn't make us shine is best forgotten, never look back."

"Of course," James said, realizing his mistake as he stopped talking.

"So, you know this place, Jess?" Meowth asked, never missing a moment to blab on about something.

"We never look back," Jessie affirmed.

"I was just thinking, if you knew it, you could tell us where the best place to get pokemon might be," Meowth said.

Jessie sighed loudly. "Why are we here, anyway? Weren't we going back to base?" she said.

"Going back at this point in time would be... Well, you know," James said, clenching his hands together.

They'd discussed this already when making the decision to keep traveling, and in the opposite direction from where they might run into any Team Rocket members. They'd seen that kid with the super powered pikachu along the way. It would be a great prize, but at this point they needed something, and were aiming for anything. "Let's not stay here for too long," Jessie suggested.

"So there's nothing around here?" Meowth asked.

Jessie realized then that she'd been avoiding even observing the places around her. She picked her head up, holding it high. As much as she'd hated what had happened here, why was she letting it weigh her down now? She wouldn't let the shame oppress her spirit.

As Jessie started to walk around, her partners followed. It had been a few years, so there were a few changes to the area. The grocery store no longer had advertisements pasted all over the front. The 'Sunrise' apartment complex's logo was missing another letter. Overall, it seemed mostly the same.

As a member of Team Rocket, was there anything here for them? Maybe a former resident ought to give it some serious thought.

---

Jessie arrived at the apartment complex, noting a letter had fallen off the sign, it now read 'Su rise'. It wasn't the nicest place in town, but she was more than happy to be invited to stay there. She knocked on the door of the woman who'd offered to help, greeting her. They exchanged pleasantries before she finally asked for the money. Jessie offered it to her with James's kindness in mind. Things might be more difficult for him as well. He was going to an even more unfamiliar place without any allies. Who knew how well that rocket boss took care of his underlings, if he did so at all. Jessie tried to consider her own situation, knowing James could take care of himself.

She'd been accepted to the nursing school, the second time she'd applied. It hadn't been a sure thing at all, and she'd had to use the address of this woman she was staying with to make it look like she wasn't some kind of homeless bum, which they'd certainly see her as if they knew her situation. Coming to this city, she'd accepted her mail after handing the lady the fee, opening the envelope with the return address for the school, then shouting in surprise at the what it read. She'd realized then she had to be at that address for real.

Luckily, the lady agreed to let her... But only for a portion of the rent, plus some extra in advance to make sure she'd have something if Jessie stopped paying. Having given the agreed amount, Jessie had some left over as a buffer, but she'd still have to start some legitimate work. It was time to cut herself off from her past as a thief. The bratty younger self had griped 'what's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine' to her foster mother before taking various things that had been refused. The older her understood that people, including her unloving but still overworked foster mother, needed to work hard for what they had. Nothing was handed to them. Taking some unglamorous blah job was also a stepping stool to Jessie's shining future life.

Along with the schooling itself, except that was something she was actually looking forward to. It had been a while since she'd officially been taught about pokemon, though she'd continued to learn on her own. She now knew how different pokemon were from anything else on Earth. They resembled humans, other animals, plants, and various things, but were their own kind of creatures. Some breathed, appeared to have similar organs to earthly creatures, but apparently couldn't be dissected to find out more. Others appeared to have their own ways of maintaining the functioning of their bodies. Though even varying from others, all pokemon species appeared similar in what they were made of. Much about pokemon was still mysterious, including their origins, which seemed very recent, but there was still plenty to learn about how to take care of them and keep them healthy.

There was also plenty else Jessie had learned, including the process of applying itself. Beyond basics about pokemon, learning about first aid to apply to humans was also important to pokemon nurses, since many of the trainers they helped were accident-prone children that weren't local. Sometimes a pokemon nurse would be all some sobbing kid had out in the middle of nowhere had. Thinking of her goals, Jessie had happily studied it all, and scored high on her entrance exam, the second time at least.

Walking into the school the first day still took some effort. Did someone like her really belong there? Jessie trembled nervously as she looked around, wondering where she was supposed to go. "Welcome!" a man greeted her, causing her to jump.

"Oh... Good morning," Jessie said. The man was apparently a receptionist, sitting at the front desk with a name badge reading 'Frank'. Jessie stood up straighter, turning away, trying her best to seem like she wasn't nervous at all.

"You're new here, right?" Frank asked.

"It's my first day," Jessie replied. How obvious was it? The school only had uniforms for training in the field, so had she dressed nicely enough? Probably not, but it was all she could afford at the moment. The style might be old, but it still suited her, and the outfit was in good enough condition.

"I guess you'll be looking for the year one classroom," Frank said, standing up. "I'm here to help with that, if you don't know already, that is."

"I don't," Jessie admitted. Of course, this guy probably knew all the students if he'd worked here long enough. The school wasn't that big. Convincing herself that was it, she allowed him to lead her.

"If you don't mind me asking... You aren't a Joy, are you?" Frank asked.

"I assure you, I'm quite the joy to be around," Jessie said.

Frank laughed in response. "Of course, of course! I'm sure! But I mean, you're not part of the Joy family."

Jessie wasn't really part of any family, but a simple answer was all that was needed. "No," she said. "That's not required, is it?"

"Of course not," Frank assured. "It's just, in the Joy family I know it's their tradition, so when I meet someone who's not, I wonder how they came across the field."

"Who wouldn't want to work with pokemon?" Jessie asked just as Frank stopped in front of a door.

Frank glanced to the door before back at Jessie. "There are some people... But even for those who do, there's easier jobs than this. Why go for something this intensive?"

A flicker of a smile crossed Jessie's face. "I want to help people... And pokemon, both."

"Well, then this is the place to be. Good luck!"

Jessie realized the door in front of her must be her classroom. That guy was right in that this was a pretty intensive job, and program. But she was being sincere. She didn't just want the prestige of being a pokemon nurse, she very much wanted to help others. Jessie imagined being in a pokemon center, even one that was in some out of the way place instead of an exciting city. Trainers would come in all the time. She'd meet a variety of people and pokemon, both local and travelers, and make sure they were all healthy and cared for as their glamorous nurse. She'd given up getting her own pokemon, but now she imagined she would, perhaps through some circumstance with a trainer unable to care for their own. She'd accept whoever's path was led to her. As an actual trainer or just a worker that assisted them, she'd not only finally be able to be a part of the world of pokemon, but also part of a community, something that had been lacking when she'd been growing up, pushed around to various foster homes and government facilities.

Entering the classroom, a group of girls turned to see her. Their previous chatter, whatever it was about, stopped, and they observed Jessie in silence. "Good morning," Jessie greeted, though she didn't really want to say anything to them at all. One responded in a mutter. Jessie took a seat, not seeing a need to acknowledge them more. She took out the assigned text and started reviewing it.

Concentrating on it was difficult, as it was obvious from a moment's glance that she was out of place. Of course, the aspiring nurses all had a certain look. There was the family resemblance that the man in front hadn't seen in Jessie, but that wasn't all. They all styled their hair in similar braids, and they seemed younger. Not that Jessie herself was old, just shy of twenty, but some of her new classmates weren't even fully grown yet. One looked like she might have just finished comp-ed, while the rest had to be adolescents. Just looking at them was a reminder of how behind Jessie was at truly starting her life.

But good things came with time and work. There was no point in reflecting on what might have been, since there was only what was. Even if the girls in this class had an earlier start, they were all headed to the same place. And, as she'd discussed with the receptionist, relation to a certain family wasn't required.

Though maybe someone might mistake that for true, hanging around here. The professor that entered and started the class also had that family resemblance, and introduced herself as 'Dr. Helen Joy'. Then the other students started introducing themselves with various cutesy names like 'Posie Joy', 'Lucy Joy', and next to Jessie was 'Miranda Joy'.

"I'm Jessie," was all Jessie said when it came time for her turn.

"Jessie Joy? Nice alliteration," Miranda said next to her.

"Jessie of Viridian City," Jessie decided to add, though she hated to introduce herself that way. She supposed it was better than no decoration at all to her given name with this crowd. She didn't have a family name and couldn't lie about it here while she was trying to be a legitimate person and student. She also had no real hometown, as there was no place she'd stayed for too long. She was, however, listed as being born in Viridian City, the same place her mother had been born, even if Jessie herself hadn't spent too much time there throughout her life. The city was busy and crowded enough that no one should ask her if she knew whoever or whatever person or place, anyway. "I'm looking forward to becoming a pokemon nurse anywhere," she said.

That seemed to be enough. After introductions, the real class began. As the professor reviewed the syllabus, Jessie only started to get more excited. This wasn't like Pokemon Tech at all. Yes, there was book learning, along with pen and paper tests, but they'd mostly be judged on actual work in the field, which was embedded throughout the program. Real pokemon would be brought in for lessons, they'd be going out and treating pokemon under supervision almost right away and then throughout their learning, and the final year would be all treating pokemon under supervision. There would be no waiting or tease for truly being involved with pokemon.

One was brought in that very day, a rattata. They were lectured on various locations the species congregated, which apparently was many places. It was a common species many trainers might have. They then started to learn about problems common to the species, and which other pokemon species said problems overlapped with.

Jessie tried her best to pay attention, despite hating this method of learning. She took notes and repeated things to herself, all while enjoying observing the visiting pokemon. She had written off the species before for resembling a pesky rodent, but observing this one had her changing her mind. It seemed to have a sort of dignity, and even intelligence. But what else could she expect from a pokemon? They weren't just any beasts, they were all awesome creatures. She'd likely not be able to dismiss any of them, especially not for as petty a reason as resembling a different creature she might not like.

They took a quick lunch after the initial lectures, they didn't finish for the day until later in the afternoon. Jessie sighed loudly as she left, noticing the Joys - the girls that were now her classmates, that was - stopped in their tracks, turning around and staring at her silently.

Was she really that interesting of a sight? Perhaps so, since it seemed they weren't exactly mature women. Maybe they were looking to her as a role model, but even so, it was rude to just stand and stare like that without saying anything. Jessie decided to move past them. Besides not wanting to care about what some bratty girls said about her, she had other things to do - working, and then studying.

"Hey... Jessie, right?" Miranda spoke to Jessie only once the woman's back faced them.

"Yes?" Jessie turned back around. She wouldn't be so rude as to not acknowledge them. Apparently they needed better examples from mature adults about how to act around others.

Miranda grinned, pokeball in hand. "Did you want to have a battle? I've already battled everyone else here."

Ugh. Jessie cringed. She wasn't so self-absorbed as to get jealous or otherwise ruffled every time she saw a trainer, but for some reason, right here and now, the question upset her. She'd never gotten the chance, and here this girl was, accepted to be a pokemon nurse at such a young age, taunting Jessie with her trainer status on top of that. Of course, the girl likely didn't know Jessie's background, but even so, Jessie didn't want to deal with this. "No thank you," she said curtly, turning around again.

"Hey!" Miranda seemed more terse. Jessie stopped, though she didn't visually acknowledge the other group this time. "I am pretty good. Are you underestimating me, or just scared?"

"I'm just busy," Jessie said. "I'll see you tomorrow," she added before continuing on her way. She was indeed busy, not just using the idea as a canned excuse to get out of something. It was none of their business that she wasn't a trainer, anyway. Were they all trainers? Probably not, but maybe yes. It was better not to think about it, just continue with her work. Jessie continued to her part time job before spending the rest of the evening going over the material they'd covered that day, and then what would go on in the next.

They continued with that routine for a while. The class would cover a specific pokemon, a representative of the species often visiting, which would branch into various other topics. Though it wasn't part of a super structured outline, a vision of what would be expected from a pokemon nurse was starting to emerge. Jessie kept to the rigorous schedule without slacking, both keeping up with any studies, and performing well at her job. Then one day, the two tasks muddled with each other, as her classmates walked into the shop she worked at.

She shouldn't have been that surprised. After all, the specific town this school happened to be wasn't tiny, but wasn't that big. Then again, they should be busy with schoolwork, shouldn't they? There wasn't time to bum around town.

"Oh, Jessie," Miranda said, her eyebrows raising. "What are you doing here- Oh." Miranda's eyes rested on her employee nametag. "Why are you working here? You don't think you'll be a pokemon nurse after all?"

Jessie wanted more than anything to tell her to just piss off. But that wouldn't be part of the professional image she was trying to cultivate. "I'm not one yet," was all Jessie was willing to say. Did the brat just not get at all that not everyone had the privilege of only concentrating on the specific thing they wanted?

Miranda nodded with a smile, apparently dropping the topic as she and the other Joys wandered around for whatever they needed. Perhaps the younger girl had some self-awareness after all. Or not, since as Jessie rang her up, Miranda started blabbing again. "Is this why you'll never battle me?" she asked. "I understand your situation - you could just battle on your day off."

"I don't have a need for that," Jessie said, then read off the price.

Miranda handed the money, then put on a quizzical face as Jessie gave her the change. "Oh, wait... Are you even a trainer?" the privileged girl asked. Jessie didn't answer, but apparently her face gave the truth away. Miranda covered her smile and coughed, turning and glancing to the other Joys. "Can someone even be an effective pokemon nurse if they've never even been a trainer themselves?" she said.

"I don't think so," one of the Joys closer to Jessie's age replied.

"They won't know as much about them," Miranda said. "I mean, first hand."

"It's not just that," the other Joy asserted. "Empathy is important, right? How can someone who's never trained pokemon understand anything about what trainers go through?"

"Yeah! Yeah, that's so true. They couldn't get the experience, all the feelings we go through," Miranda said.

As if empathy was limited to people who had only experienced exactly what the empathetic person had. Jessie could understand plenty without even being a trainer, but here these thoughtless and callous girls were, acting like she couldn't. "If you need to be a trainer to understand pokemon and other trainers, isn't that a limit of yourself?" she spat out hotly.

The Joys turned to her, again silent, with their creepy smiles. "You're right," Miranda eventually said, widening her mouth into a grin. "We shouldn't limit ourselves, huh? I guess you can know a lot, even if you're not a trainer."

They waved good-bye before heading to the door. When they opened it, they all started to giggle, which turned into loud laughter as they went out the door. The youngest spoke loudly as they walked away, "She's so old! What's she doing here? She's too old!"

Jessie clenched her fists, biting her lip as she controlled her anger enough to help the next customer. So they didn't like her, thought she didn't belong. That was the entire story of her life, anyway. It didn't matter at all. She was doing what she should to become educated and qualified enough to move forward to a job she wanted, once where she'd also be able to contribute to others. Though she'd just gotten the confirmation today, she'd already known how they felt about her anyway. So let them hate her, gossip about her, haughtily put themselves above her for reasons beyond her control. They could call her ugly, or old, even though she had to be only a year or two older than the next oldest student. They didn't matter at all. She just had to do what was necessary to meet the qualifications, and then she'd be able to move onto the life she desired.

After just a few weeks, they were finally going to go out and get some real world practice. It hadn't been that long since they'd started, but at the same time, it seemed like it had been so long. Jessie arrived in the required uniform. "Hey, you don't have the right hair," one of her classmate Joys said to her. "Look at all, us see? This is what's required for a nurse. It's the safest, and the most professional."

It was just the same hairstyle that the others always wore, their braided hair tied into two loops. It didn't look that great. Jessie ignored the girl's advice until the professor entered and told Jessie more or less the same thing. Tying her hair like theirs didn't look nearly as good as before, but she refashioned herself without comment. This was just another requirement, apparently.

When they got to the pokemon center, there was yet another plus. After the initial tour, she was separated from her classmate Joys. Of course, there were other Joys, along with various others there to observe and instruct the inexperienced students. But the actual Nurse Joys were far less unpleasant. Learning from them would be valuable.

One of them stood watch over Jessie as the first trainer entered the appointment room. It was a girl, who was, of course, the minority when it came to trainers. "Welcome," Jessie said, though the girl had probably already been welcomed up at the front. The girl just stared blankly. "Don't you have your pokemon?" Jessie said.

The trainer looked down into her bag, fumbling around, honestly seeming just as nervous as Jessie was. Jessie sighed. "You have to look for them?" Jessie said. The girl frowned, her lip moving all the way up as she stopped her search. "Hey, it's okay," Jessie said, touching her shoulder. "Are you new at this?" she asked. The trainer nodded. "You might keep your pokeballs in designated spots. Make a habit out of it. Then you could find them easily."

Though it was basic knowledge among even semi-experienced trainers made a habit, the girl opened her mouth wide as if such a great idea had never occurred to her before. "R-Right!" she said. Relaxing some, she went into her bag again, finding one pokeball without too much trouble.

"Just the one?" Jessie said. The trainer nodded, confirming she really was brand new. Jessie put it on the machine first. It was a bulbasaur, a small pokemon she'd have no trouble treating in this room. Jessie released it in front of them. "Oh!" she exclaimed. The creature appeared happy to be there, smiling up at both its trainer and Jessie. "It's beautiful!" Jessie exclaimed. "You are trying your best to take care of it, aren't you?"

Beside emanating a peaceful mood, the pokemon was sparkling clean with a healthy green color. What was there for her to do, really? This wasn't like the beat up pokemon she'd expected to see, and probably would still see. Jessie sprayed the bulbasaur a few times with a potion. It closed its eyes briefly, enjoying the sensation, before opening them again, just as happy as before. "Of course, you know, you can trim off the dead parts," Jessie said, pointing to the end of the pokemon's bulb. "I mean, your pokemon is pretty much perfect as is, but that's just one other thing. Occasionally bulbasaur can get irritated by dead leaves, though yours is mostly fine. Here, try." Jessie found and offered a pair of scissors.

"Oh, no," the trainer said, a horrified expression on her face. "I wouldn't want to hurt Bulbasaur."

"Don't worry so much! You won't hurt it. It's just like clipping fingernails. Watch." Jessie snipped once herself.

Bulbasaur glanced around, noticing, though barely, the effort. "Bulbasaur!" it called, seeming to acknowledge the effort.

"I'll try," the girl said. Concentrating hard, she snipped at another area, sure to pull the dead part away. She completed the task, then looked to Jessie, apparently for some kind of approval.

"Looks good," Jessie said. "Now your lovely pokemon certainly is perfect."

"Thank you, nurse!" The girl bowed before leaving.

Of course, Jessie wasn't yet a nurse, but there wasn't time to correct the mistake. The actual nurse spoke out once the trainer left. "Good job," she began. "I could tell you were nervous. Don't forget your professional demeanor. But you handled yourself well, overall. It's exactly what I would have done with this trainer, really. You really helped her."

Jessie nodded, not missing the critique that came packaged with the praise. 'Demeanor' was another marked difference between her and the other students. Jessie certainly didn't have the kind of put-on sweetness that they did. Sure, as a talented actress, she could act that way if she tried. But acting as part of real life every day of one's life seemed sad. The bubbly overly nice and friendly persona wasn't her. Though it wasn't really them either, was it? Jessie recalled their nice words when they'd spoken at her job site, just to laugh and mock her among each other on their way out. They weren't genuine, they were just doing what it took to last in the world. There was no way those brats could outmatch her. "I'll remember," Jessie promised the nurse that probably didn't have any malice behind her advice.

"Right! And that trainer, you'll probably see her again," the nurse said.

"Why?" Jessie asked.

"Well, she's a local for now," the nurse explained. "She's not going out traveling yet, that is. We try and keep locals to the same apprentice nurses. When you work in a pokemon center, you'll have to establish rapport with local trainers as well as meeting travelers, so we want to emulate that as much as possible."

The explanation made sense. Seeing the girl and her bulbasaur again would be nice. What was her name? For the next two trainers, Jessie vowed to bother to learn such information.

The second soon walked in, another local with ten pokemon in for a checkup. They were all the same species and evolutions, magneton and magnemite, but she had to be sure to treat them all individually. The actual nurse stepped in since Jessie hadn't learned much specifics about the object-like pokemon species yet. She wasn't expected to know everything her first day, thankfully. Magnemite and magneton seemed weirder than other pokemon, not that Jessie hated them or anything. They lacked the human-like facial expressions of other pokemon species, having the weird one eye. But working with these, it was easy to start to see how they expressed emotions in their single, or the case of magneton, triple eyes.

The third was a traveling trainer with the beat up pokemon Jessie had been expecting would be commonplace for pokemon nurses to see. The pokemon weren't mistreated in the least, they were in good spirits, seeming even more energetic than the previous. Even knowing how much pokemon loved to battle, noting the difference in person between very active and less active pokemon was striking. Not that the girl's bulbasaur or the man's magnemite and magneton had been unhealthy at all, but there was definitely a vibrancy in the traveling trainer's pokemon that hadn't been in theirs.

Jessie found it easy enough to take care of them despite their status. Doing so on her own would be easy enough, but part of the day's assignment was also to communicate to the trainers what they were doing and why, and how they could care for their own pokemon without rushing off to a pokemon center, which wasn't always within reach. "Your pokemon are tough, aren't they?" Jessie said to the trainer.

"You bet!" The kid grinned in response to the compliment. "They're only getting tougher."

"Well, let them have some pride besides that. Clean them up every once in a while," Jessie suggested as she dusted one off.

"What you mean?" The boy's eyes opened wide at the suggestion.

Jessie showed him where the dust, dirt, and even rocks had been catching and building up. Pokemon battles were no pristine affair, after all. The kid paid close attention, eventually taking over the job and finishing washing up his own pokemon under Jessie's supervision. "Good," she said once he was done. "Looks like they'll be more dignified along with powerful. And more comfortable. You'll keep it up, won't you?"

"Yeah, of course," the trainer replied.

"Did you really just not notice before?" Jessie mused aloud, straightening her uniform and trying to look more pleasant as she realized she'd been expressing her annoyance aloud.

The boy didn't appear bothered at all. "Yeah," he admitted. "I guess the other nurses were like, 'your pokemon look like they want a shower, don't they?' so I sprayed them down. But I didn't notice all you showed me. Thanks!"

The eager child ran off with his pokemon after returning them to their pokeballs. Jessie started to clean up once he'd left, knowing she'd only see a limit of three trainers that day. Hopefully this one would be alright. All that trouble because they wouldn't say directly that his pokemon were filthy? If he was telling the truth, maybe she'd actually helped him.

"You did a good job, especially for your first day," the nurse complimented again before Jessie left. "Your bedside manner is certainly unique, isn't it?"

Was there something hidden behind that question? Jessie decided not to think about it, giving her salutations before walking into the lobby. There, she couldn't miss Miranda Joy being berated by a different Joy about various facts the would-be nurse should have known. "Pokemon types aren't that difficult to memorize. There's various attributes that lead us to classify them that way. You shouldn't need to look it up!"

"But poliwrath is-" Miranda began.

"And then you tried to release that blastoise in that small room? Luckily the safety mechanisms stopped you! In a different room, that might have caused an injury. Larger pokemon need to be taken to a larger room, or even outside. You need to study more about the basics! I hope you do before next week!" The supervising Joy wandered off.

"Your first day didn't go well, did it?" Jessie couldn't help but comment, her hand on the door, thinking that compared to that reaction, she'd done okay.

"I guess you did fine," Miranda said, her voice laced with sarcasm. The girl frowned in a way that was much unlike herself, rubbing her eyes before glaring at Jessie angrily. "How much more could you know than me? A dunce like you probably didn't do well at all!"

In the past, the insult would have pissed her off, but not then. Maybe because of the amusement she got at seeing one of her classmates finally be genuine, maybe because Jessie knew this girl was three or four years younger, or maybe just because she'd had a great first day of apprenticeship... Jessie didn't feel angry at all. In fact, she felt a bit of that 'empathy' they had talked about, knowing how bad Miranda must feel in that moment. Offering encouragement instead of responding to the 'dunce' comment was the first inclination. "You're here to learn, so you will," was all she said. Jessie was already assured of her own skills, she didn't need to make her performance her classmate's business. "Work hard and you'll be fine." Jessie nodded to the girl before finally leaving.

---

Much of the basics had been learned long ago at Pokemon Tech, giving an advantage over the younger apprentices without that background. That Jessie was on her own unique path with its own advantages in addition to the disadvantages became clean as the weeks went on. Even having to work at the outside job to make ends meet, she was able to keep up with her studies, focusing on the new information while briefly refreshing herself on the old. No one could complain about her performance, both on classroom and field tasks.

She'd even started to work with trainers on her own at times, a privilege shared with some, though not all of her classmates. She studied in-between helping trainers, taking advantage of any moment. Of course, when the unfamiliar trainer walked in, she was focused and ready. "Welcome," Jessie said as she stood up. "I'm pleased to meet you, I'm an apprentice nurse, Jessie."

A teenage girl put a pokeball on the table. "Marla," he said. "I'm local."

Was she really? Jessie thought she'd gotten to know all the locals she might work with already. "Have you been here before?" she asked.

Marla shrugged. "Dad said I should come. Something's wrong with it," she said, motioning toward the pokeball.

"Let's take a look." Jessie first scanned the pokeball. It was a paras, dual bug and grass type. That wasn't an overly common species, though she'd seen a traveling trainer with one a while back, and another had been brought into the school when they'd discussed the species. She'd paid attention when they'd covered it and its evolution in class, so she'd be ready. Jessie released the pokemon onto the observation table.

The appearance of the pokemon outside the pokeball required a double take. Was this thing even a paras? It was covered in misshapen mushrooms. Jessie soon recognized them as paras's trademark tochukaso, though they were more numerous and discolored. "Haven't you pruned it?" was Jessie's first thought, thought they hadn't especially talked about paras needing to be pruned, this one obviously needed to be.

"It's your job to take care of it, right?" Marla said with a scowl.

Ugh, what a job. Though not the worst job she'd had since starting the apprenticeship, this cleanup wouldn't be pleasant at all. "You should take off anything that looks sick," Jessie said. She started to do so herself, the trainer not offering to help at all. As she worked, she realized the all the mushrooms on the poor pokemon's back looked pretty gross, especially when compared to the paras she'd seen before. The poor pokemon was cooperative at first, though it seemed too drained to react much, positively or negatively. As the mushrooms were pared down, it soon became obvious that they were all pretty sickly. As Jessie reached for one of the last two, the pokemon finally reacted. "Paras, paras!" it called, defensively raising up its claws.

The action wasn't an attack, just something to let Jessie know it had had enough. "I guess that'll be it for today," Jessie said, spraying the pokemon with a potion, though that didn't seem to help. Paras just slumped as it realized it wouldn't be bothered anymore.

"It used to be so cute," Marla said with a frown.

Though paras wouldn't be her first choice for a 'cute' pokemon, Jessie supposed the big, round eyes of the species had an appeal in their own way. "When did it start having this trouble?"

"I don't know." Marla frowned. "It just kept getting less and less cute since I got it."

Even though the pokemon's treatment was over, the trainer needed some help as well. "What do you feed it?" Jessie asked.

"Pokemon don't need to eat, right?" Marla said.

Jessie shivered, wondering if the girl was joking, though it didn't seem so. "Pokemon need to eat," she said. Stating the fact was the only response she could manage in the moment.

"No, no," Marla insisted. Apparently this girl was serious in her dangerous misinformation. "Pokeballs just keep them healthy, right? If they go there, they don't have to be fed."

There was just a glimmer of truth in that statement, but clarification was needed. "If you keep your pokemon in their pokeballs all day, they might not need to eat that day. But not indefinitely," Jessie explained. "I'd say, even if it's in its pokeball the majority of the time, you should take it out once a week and exercise and feed it. How often do you take Paras out?"

"Every day," Marla said. "I just let it get some water in the shower."

"The shower?" Jessie repeated.

"You know, in the bathroom. I shut it in there to get some water."

There was another problem. Good thing Jessie had spent time getting the facts on this particular species, because this girl really needed help. "Paras need to actually go outside outside, not just outside their pokeballs," she began. "They get nutrition from the ground, tree roots. They won't get it from an indoor shower." Jessie tried not to look too annoyed. "Just start taking it for a walk once a week, let it hang out in your yard instead, maybe. Then it'll start to get better." She took out a pamphlet from the drawer, handing it to the ill-advised trainer. "Here's some information on how much food pokemon should get." Jessie opened it up and showed the various charts based on size classes, which gave recommendations for amount of food based on activity level and time spent in their pokeballs. Of course, this had been made to prevent over feeding, trainer concern about their pokemon possibly not eating enough, but there was no need to mention that. "And here's some reliable pokemon food brands," she said, turning over the pamphlet and revealing the list.

Marla silently read the information. Eventually, she thanked Jessie and left. After that, Jessie sat down in the room's sole chair, burying her head in her hand. That had been the worst state of any pokemon that had come in yet, by far. The specific problems it had weren't even covered by the class, that's how bad it was. Just shutting a pokemon in a shower for all its energy and activity needs? How had that person ended up as a trainer with such a poor knowledge base? Well, at least she knew better now, and that afflicted little bug type would get better. After taking a moment, Jessie stood up, pulling herself together for the next task.

After it was time to leave, Miranda could be seen, waving to a trainer. "We hope to see you again!" she said, a wide smile on her face which turned to a twisted smarmy sort of expression as she noticed Jessie on the way out. "You have to leave already?" she said.

"It's the right time to go," Jessie said.

Miranda tossed up her head, the upturned nose combined with a self-satisfied smile making it look like she thought she was superior. "The truly dedicated don't leave because the time's up," she said.

"Well then, take all the time you need," Jessie said. She wasn't about to get in an argument with the younger girl. Of course, Jessie knew the targeted job of pokemon nurse stationed at a pokemon center was fairly all-consuming, but that wasn't where she was yet. There were other things to do to make sure the target was reached, first and foremost. Getting into a 'who can stay longer' contest with a girl trying to boost her self-esteem was a waste before it began.

"Dedication is really important, isn't it! Who would want to see a nurse that wasn't dedicated?" another Joy commented as Jessie opened the door and left.

"Of course. It shows caring. It's important to care, about both the trainers and their pokemon," Miranda responded back.

The door closed, muting the passive-aggressive nonsense. The meaningless chatter could also be ignored with ease. By remaining dedicated to the plan and not wavering, the path to her goal would be reached. Jessie would soon enough be at a pokemon center, somewhere, maybe not so glamorous, but perhaps it would become so just by virtue of her being there. She'd happily greet trainers and help them with their various interesting pokemon. She'd likely get to meet others around whatever community it was as well, forming lasting bonds without needing to get into pissing contests with bratty kids.

Though, as the books were laid out to look over during any lulls in business, Jessie supposed she would really like to be in the pokemon center giving extra time to her apprenticeship. She might talk to some of the various staff there about their own experiences and get something out of that. Maybe even her bratty classmates would have interesting things to say about their own experiences.

But that wasn't an option. Seeing no one in the store at the moment, Jessie seized the time for going through the reading related to the next day's lecture.

---

The door to the small room was already half open, and slowly creaked slightly before it opened a bit more, and a familiar face peeked in. It was bulbasaur girl, or Leah, as her name had turned out to be. "How long have you been standing there?" Jessie asked.

"Um..." Leah entered, holding out her pokeball.

The girl was awkward, but that just seemed to be her personality. Jessie couldn't hate seeing her there, on that day or any other. "Come in," she invited. Leah took the additional two steps that brought her officially into the room, and Jessie took the pokeball. A quick scan showed it was still a bulbasaur, so she released it in the room. It was healthy as any other time she'd seen it, but it looked slightly more alert that day, glancing around the room subtly instead of having that day-dreamy unfocused look it usually did. "Have you been battling?" Jessie said.

"Is it hurt?" Leah asked, her mouth opening and eyebrows furrowing before she went to take a closer look at her pokemon herself.

"Hardly," Jessie assured. "It's as happy and healthy as ever, and very intact. I've just started to see the differences between pokemon that battle and those that don't. So, am I right?"

Leah nodded, giving her pokemon a hug. The bulbasaur relaxed, defaulting to its day-dreamy expression before it closed its eyes, perhaps going into an actual dream. "I tried a few battles."

"Are you going to be a traveling trainer?" Jessie asked, recalling the nurse's comment that the girl wasn't one 'for now' when they'd first met.

"Bulbasaur?" Bulbasaur called, opening its eyes as its trainer apparently hugged it tighter.

"I tried," Leah said, biting her lip. "I went out traveling, and I got scared. I had to come back." She looked down at her pokemon, which glanced back up with concern, and tried to force a more pleasant expression. "I just wasn't brave enough."

"If it sucked, it sucked," Jessie said. "There's other ways to be a trainer than going traveling. If you want to, maybe you should try it again. If you don't, there's nothing wrong with training here."

"Oh." Leah squeezed her bulbasaur tighter before she let it go, stepping back for Jessie to observe it. "I guess not," she said. Jessie finished her examination and treatment of the pokemon before returning it to its pokeball. "Did you travel as a trainer, or not?" Leah asked, turning back with this second thought from the door.

"I wasn't ever a trainer," Jessie said.

"Oh." Leah frowned again, apparently taken back by that statement.

Did that fact really remove Jessie so much from trainers? Even if so, she could only be herself. "It wasn't my choice," Jessie explained calmly. "It's yours, though. Including what kind of trainer to be, and where to be it. That's not a bad thing. In fact, you can feel all the better, knowing you had certain options you left behind."

Leah nodded. "Thank you, Nurse Jessie!" she said before she left.

Jessie didn't have time to correct that she didn't quite have that certification yet. Oh well, it was tiring to do so with kids who didn't care about such things anyway. At least it seemed she was helping, if only a little bit. Bulbasaur girl wasn't the only trainer who seemed happy to listen to her, either. She really was improving her skills as a pokemon nurse, as well as dealing with people.

Jessie tried to remember that as the next trainer walked in. It was paras girl, Marla. This girl was even less chatty that the shy one who had just been in, and handed the pokeball to Jessie without comment. Jessie scanned it, seeing it was still paras before releasing it to the observation table. Had things improved since they'd first talked?

Not at all. The tochukaso mushrooms had increased in number, smaller ones appearing, and they all still looked as sickly as the pokemon they fed off of. Paras itself wasn't even able to hold itself upright, slumped over, covering its eyes with its appendages. Why hadn't it gotten better? The miserable thing almost looked ready to die. What kind of circumstances led to something as resilient as a pokemon looking like this? Bug type pokemon weren't like regular bugs.

Maintaining the professional demeanor required, Jessie stopped herself from having any outward sign of her internal appalled reaction as she got to work on the pokemon, removing the dead mushrooms. Paras let out a brief and pitiful cry during the process. It didn't even resist at all this time. Was it because it knew the mushrooms were beyond saving, or because it didn't have the energy to do so? Either way, it seemed wrong to have a paras without its tochukaso, so Jessie was sure to leave the two healthiest looking, then cleaned up the pokemon further as it didn't react at all. The pokemon remained in the same state as she finished, looking like it couldn't move much at all.

After finishing the required job, Jessie had to pause before she talked to the trainer. This pokemon really was in a terrible state, the worst she'd seen by far. Even so, the trainer must be worried as well, and that's why her pokemon had been brought in. "What have you been feeding it?" she asked.

"I tried some food. I forget," Marla said. "It just kind of nibbled it, so I don't think it liked it, so..." The girl shrugged.

"That's typical of bug types," Jessie explained. "If you get generic pokemon food for all types, most bug types won't eat the whole piece. Or they'll cycle through the pieces before finishing them all. That's just their habit."

"It was annoying. It got my shower dirty, too," Marla said, sighing and closing her eyes. "If it didn't eat that much, I guess it doesn't really need it that much, does it?"

"You could give it in a dish," Jessie suggested.

"I did, it just threw the pieces everywhere," Marla explained.

"Then outside," Jessie said before realizing an implication from the conversation. "You have been letting it outside, haven't you?" she said.

"I guess... I mean, I don't remember when. It's just annoying," Marla said.

"You need to feed your pokemon and take it outside!"

Jessie's hand thudded on the observation table. The paras blinked, the strongest reaction it had the whole visit. The trainer glared silently. Jessie realized she'd been raising her voice, her tone overall harsh as well. That definitely wasn't part of the pleasant pokemon nurse archetype. Though she'd already told this trainer these things and been ignored, maybe yelling wouldn't help.

Jessie lifted her hand slowly, silently sighing as she did everything she could to control her temper. "Just keep trying my suggestions," Jessie said, her voice calmed. She made every effort she could to stop her hand from trembling as she went through the drawers to get the appropriate pamphlets. "Here's some bug type food that might be good, and other information about bug types," she said as she handed one over. "And paras are part grass type as well, these suggestions could help as well." She gave the second pamphlet, the trainer silently accepting it. Then Jessie grabbed a local map, trying not to look at the pokemon present as she spread the paper out on the observation table. Though the trainer herself was local, this kind of advice was apparently needed. "This area, here and here," Jessie began as she pointed, then circled with a pen. "It has the large trees that Paras needs to draw its nutrition from. Take it out every day. Stick to the edge, here, if you want to avoid battles with local wild pokemon. You should until it gets better. Come back very soon, we'll check on how it's doing."

Jessie folded up the map, holding it out to the trainer with as much professional demeanor as she could muster. Marla took it. "Okay," was all she said. The trainer remained silent for the rest of the visit.

Would she follow through? The advice had already been mostly ignored, not helping the pokemon at all. Jessie paced, going out of the room. "Hey, it's Nurse Jessie!" a traveling trainer she'd helped the previous day greeted her with a grin.

"Still an apprentice nurse," Jessie corrected.

"Yeah, you're good enough. Can you see my pokemon now?" the boy asked.

"Yes, Jessie," an actual nurse called as she hustled over. "Perfect timing, it's your turn to be observed. Let's go!"

Dealing with the traveling trainer was much more pleasant. Jessie looked over his pokemon in the observation room, finding them in overall good shape. The trainer himself was the one to take care of them with potions and brushes, following Jessie's instructions and even asking for the appropriate supplies himself. They then went into a larger room for his blastoise, and even had to go outside for his onix. All six of his pokemon were energetic from frequent battles, and in overall good shape from frequent care, both at the pokemon center and from the trainer's own efforts. It was fun to see all of them.

Even so, the previous trainer's visit kept creeping into Jessie's mind. Why had the trainer she'd just seen, even being younger with more pokemon, been able to care for his pokemon while Marla wouldn't take the basic efforts? Even as the nurse gave Jessie mostly praise as feedback from the observation, she kept thinking about it. Such a situation should certainly be discussed with the certificated pokemon nurse. Perhaps Jessie should have called the true professional in, though she'd been too disturbed overall to take such an obvious step.

"Thank you," Jessie said one the conversation about the observation had finished. "I did have some questions for you today, if you don't mind."

"No, no, that's what I'm here for!" the nurse insisted.

Jessie nodded. "Well," she began, having trouble getting the words out. "There are people we can go to for pokemon that are mistreated, aren't there?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. That hasn't been covered in your lectures yet, has it? Yes, there's an agency you can call. The local police become involved at times too, depending on the specifics. Did you have a concern?"

Jessie nodded. She explained the situation, giving a play-by-play of both of Marla and Paras's visits, not leaving out any of the more unpleasant details.

"I see," the nurse began as Jessie finished. "Well, sounds like as a pokemon nurse, you did what should have been done. Your advice sounds like what I would have given, for the most part. Telling her specific local areas to go was a nice touch. You ought to call this agency as well, they could go to her and help directly. Who's the trainer?"

"Marla, local of course," Jessie informed.

"Oh." The nurse paused. "Oh, right. You aren't the first to express concern. I believe the appropriate agency has already been contacted, so there's no need for you to do so yourself."

Was there really no need? "Maybe I should. Things have just gotten worse recently," Jessie said.

"If you'd like, I'll help you go through the process, but there's really no need. They know about the situation already," the nurse assured. "I know this is difficult, but just be satisfied that you've done all you can. It's important not to take everything home with you. Can you set this aside for now?"

Jessie eventually nodded. If the experienced professional said this, maybe she should listen. But was that really all she could do? Well, the agency the nurse talked about had to be experts at dealing with this kind of thing. She called them, and they seemed to diligently take in all the information. Good thing that wasn't the job Jessie was going for, since it sounded like it sucked. Leaving, the thoughts about the sickly pokemon didn't completely dissipate, but Jessie still tried her best to take the nurse's advice, repeating that she'd said what she could and done everything she could.

---

After lecture the next day, Jessie had to run to get her paycheck and apply funds to her bills. She missed lunch, but that was fine. She did, however, have to be late to the apprenticeship part of her schooling. As she walked in, she didn't see any trainers, thankfully, but the student Joys were gathered together, looking her way wryly as she entered. "Good afternoon," Jessie said with a nod, ready to go past them to get everything ready for the day.

"Hello, Jessie. Do you know what time we're supposed to be here?" Miranda asked, glancing to the clock before back at Jessie with a mock-concerned expression.

Of course she knew. They all knew by now. The condescending question wasn't worth answering. Jessie walked past the girls without comment.

"You're not serious at all, are you?" another Joy said. Jessie wasn't sure who, with her back turned. She kept walking at a leisurely pace. They shouldn't know they bothered her.

"I don't know why people like that are even accepted."

Jessie stopped. That voice she recognized. Miranda was really old enough to know better. Despite knowing better herself, Jessie turned around to face her, glaring at the younger girl. "Why were you accepted?" she finally said. "I mean, besides the obvious nepotism." Though Jessie had thought none of them would care about those kind of comments, Miranda's face started to redden. Jessie continued to berate her. "Why don't you stop thinking about my business and think for a moment about why not everyone's in the same nice situation as you. That includes the trainers we work with!" she finished hotly, then finally strolled off to her destination, being sure the room was clean and all supplies were stocked for the day.

The first trainers Jessie saw without incident, the nurse that was watching them for the day peeking in every once in a while but not otherwise commenting. The peaceful day continued on, until Jessie waved good-bye to one trainer, and the tearful, familiar face of another appeared at the door.

Marla ran in, holding her paras in her arms. It almost looked grey now, a contrast from the species's usual striking orange coloration, the tochukaso an almost unrecognizable mush on its back. "Can't you help it?!" Marla demanded as she approached Jessie.

Both the question and the sight of the pokemon were so jarring that Jessie was momentarily at a loss for words. "Come in," the actual nurse said, not hesitating at all, leading the girl and her pokemon to the observation room. Jessie followed, assisting the nurse in cleaning the pokemon before the more experienced woman shook her head. "It's too late. I'm sorry," she said to Marla.

Marla took out her pokeball, pressing the button over and over as she tried to return her pokemon inside. "Why won't this thing work!" she demanded.

"The pokeball doesn't recognize it as a pokemon, given its current state. I'm sorry, Marla, I really am." The nurse gripped Marla's shoulder.

On the table, Paras's features started to distort. It wasn't even moving any more, except maybe outward slightly. It was a few moments before it became obvious the pokemon was melting. Marla screamed as it did. She cried as the features distorted further, the pokemon losing its form completely, before the matter in front of them seemed to disappear.

The nurse turned on the fan, ushering Marla and Jessie out. "Come on, let's go," she said.

Marla was sobbing by the time they were in the hall. Other apprentices, staff, and trainers came out to see the commotion. "Why didn't you help it?" Marla shrieked at Jessie. "You didn't do anything! You just told me to do a bunch of crap! You should have really helped! You should have done something!"

The sight of the paras's features dissipating was still fresh in Jessie's mind. It was the first time she'd seen a pokemon death, and one that really should have been prevented. As an apprentice nurse, Jessie really had done what she could, right? As the mourning trainer screamed at her and various other people stared with concern, she started to doubt that. No, not started - she already had doubted it. Maybe Marla was right. She should have done way more than she had, made sure that the paras was completely cared for somehow.

"Marla, come with me. I'll talk to you," the nurse assured.

Marla sniffled. Between sobs, she muttered various things and followed the nurse elsewhere. Several other free apprentices followed. Jessie went to the lobby, her mind and thoughts numb a moment. She stood up as the nurse came out with Marla, Miranda and other younger Joys next to the bereaved trainer.

The nurse walked over, talking in a low voice. "Jessie, it's fine if you go home for the day," she said.

Jessie nodded and went to leave. "I'm sorry," she overheard Miranda saying as she patted the distraught trainer's shoulder. "Not everyone here's as dedicated. You really should have been having your pokemon go to really green areas, especially with big trees. It wouldn't get the nutrition it needed otherwise. I think that's what happened," she continued.

Of course, Marla had already been told as much. Not everyone was willing to listen to advice. Miranda herself might need to learn that. Jessie touched the door to leave, before Marla's next statement stopped her.

"Why didn't anyone tell me," the girl demanded. "If someone just told me that - really helped me - I bet Paras would be fine!"

Jessie had said that. Hadn't she? The statement that she heard was so far from what she remembered that Jessie almost doubted her memories themselves. But she had said it! The nurse had even said it was exactly what should have been said, and then some.

"I'll help you!" Miranda offered. "I promise. When you get another pokemon, you can come to me. I'll let you know exactly what you need to, like a real nurse should."

"She shouldn't ever have another pokemon," Jessie spat out. Multiple disapproving eyes turned her way, indicating she shouldn't have spoken at all. The nurse, her fellow apprentices, even trainers she knew glared at her, some shaking their heads. Even so, she was right. Jessie wouldn't back down or apologize. "Maybe pokemon take care of humans more, but we have to do things for them as well. You weren't ever willing to do what it took. Who's to say that another pokemon wouldn't turn out the same?"

Marla's response to her reprimand was just to start to cry again, putting her hands over her eyes while the various other apprentices consoled her. "Jessie, just go," the nurse said, speaking harshly for once.

Jessie knew maybe it wasn't the time or the right set of words, but she hadn't said anything wrong. The trainer's heart was breaking, apparently having cared about her pokemon to some extent. But Jessie's own heart was breaking from the horrible sight and the thoughts about what maybe she personally should have done. Perhaps there was more than should be said, but she didn't feel like doing so.

Jessie finally did leave, wandering into the nearby park where there was a pokemon battle between bug catcher trainers. Observing the energetic beedrill and metapod, she wondered if she'd made a mistake in writing off bug type pokemon long ago. They weren't the prettiest, but they had their own sort of charm, or at least the ones given a chance by their trainers did. Their specific type attacks were even strong against the esteemed psychic type, weren't they? Who knew what Paras could have done if its trainer had only listened.

However, Marla had seemed to listen to the Joys. Was there something about them that encouraged people to listen to them and accept their help? Though Jessie tried to keep up the professional demeanor, she often slipped up. If one of them had been the one to advise Marla instead with the same message Jessie had given, would Paras still be alive? Was there really something about Jessie that was unfit to be a pokemon nurse?

Feeling sorry for oneself was a waste of time. Even repeating that to herself, Jessie still couldn't erase that doubting question from her mind. There was nothing else to do but continue with her routine. After spending time at the park during the break provided by being dismissed for the day, Jessie went to her job, and then home, taking out her books and opening them to the right page to study. She was even able to forget about the day's more horrific events for a few moments to concentrate on the next lecture's reading.

The next day, Jessie went to the school, dressed properly for the day. As she entered, she saw not only her classmates, but their senpai glancing her way and speaking in hushed tones, avoiding eye contact as Jessie looked their way. Before Jessie went into the classroom, a man called her name. "Jessie." It was the school's head administrator, a man that had interviewed Jessie before she had been accepted. "Please come with me."

Jessie did so, sitting across from him as she had during their interview. However, this little meeting wasn't scheduled. She looked at his various certifications. He was a Joy as well, joining the field decades before, when it was more typical of men to do so. Now he was a person that Jessie needed to pander to. She waited for him to speak, then did so herself when he remained silent. "This is about yesterday, right?" Jessie guessed. What else could it be?

The man nodded. "I heard about the incident. You castigated a trainer whose pokemon had just passed, is that how you remember it?"

"I just said what should have been said. The idiot didn't listen to me," Jessie said.

The man again paused. "Jessie, you realize that professional demeanor is required of our field as well, don't you?" he eventually asked.

"Of course. I told her professionally what she should do when she came in with her dying pokemon. Twice. She didn't do any of it!" Jessie realized the way she was speaking wasn't helping her case, but found herself unable to stop. "I don't think I said anything wrong at all. Why should I be nice and professional to someone that killed? Just because she cried about it?"

The administrator shook his head, sighing slightly. "Marla is my good friend's granddaughter. I know he was advising her as well. I don't think she would neglect her pokemon, given proper instruction."

But the special granddaughter had indeed done this. He must know this, and not just from talking to Jessie. The nurse had heard what Jessie had been through as well, and said others had their own concerns in the past. Even so, Jessie had a sinking feeling about what this man might say next.

He took off his glasses before he spoke, maybe so he didn't have to see her face. "Jessie, when you started, I had been impressed by your recommendations from Pokemon Tech and your previous jobs taking care of pokemon. You also didn't seem concerned about your initial rejection, and improved your scores on the entrance exam quite a bit. I thought someone with that kind of perseverance, knowledge, and dedication would be a wonderful pokemon nurse. But it appears I've made a grave mistake."

So that was it. As Jessie had suspected, she was being held responsible for all this. "I have kept studying," she insisted. "I've done well in the field work as well! Every time someone observes me, they say so."

"Except for yesterday." That statement was true. The nurse that had praised Jessie so much before hadn't been that happy with her then. "It's not that I don't think you have some skill in addition to your dedication," the man continued in Jessie's silence. "It's just, I think there's a fatal flaw that will prevent you from representing our profession appropriately. Regretfully, I must let you go."

"You won't regret it as much as me!" Jessie shouted, standing up.

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to take any of your belongings and leave. You're expelled from the program, effective today."

So that was it. She was done. And she'd even let this asshole know she'd regret it. Jessie said nothing else as she exited the office. She had no belongings that she didn't bring with her in the bag she was already holding and no one worth saying good-bye to, so best to go right for the front door. It was still early, so there were some other students by the door. The Joys looked at her with wry smiles, then laughed, erupting into chatter as the front door closed behind her.

Jessie went back to the small room she'd been allotted for way too much rent. She caught sight of herself in the mirror she'd propped on the table, looking very sad, very unlike herself. Getting closer, Jessie realized just how ridiculous she looked in the nurse uniform, with their stupid looping hair style. She tore off the ties, letting her hair down. This really had just been some bad cosplay, hadn't it?

People shouldn't waste time feeling sorry for themselves or dwelling on failures. Even so, Jessie started to sob as she looked at the reflected image of her pokemon nurse self, only continuing louder, screaming in frustration and bending down as she saw her pathetic face in the mirror. Jessie continued to cry and yell in absolute devastation, no nurse or collective of apprentices coming to comfort her.

---

"Looks like there are a lot of trainers that come here," Meowth said, rubbing its paws together as it smirked. "Why would they bother with a place like this?"

"It does seem like more than expected for a town this size," James added.

The front of the pokemon center didn't look much different before, but the whole place had always been well maintained and polished by and for the students. "It's a teaching pokemon center," Jessie explained. "They encourage trainers from nearby places to go here, because it's where pokemon nurses are trained."

James raised his eyebrows. "Oh, so you must be very familiar with this place," he commented.

Ugh, of course James would remember that. "Huh?" Meowth chirped up. "Why would Jessie know too much about a place like this?" it asked.

"Well, you see, Jessie was-" James began.

"How about you can it!" Jessie said. "You can just mind your own business, Meowth. I don't need to look back on the past."

"Jessie was an apprentice nurse? Guess I have seen her acting like it sometimes."

Meowth could easily read between the lines. Sometimes that was helpful, but currently its perceptiveness was just annoying. "Right now I'm just a master agent of Team Rocket," Jessie said. "Now let's go steal all the pokemon this place has to offer. Come on." Jessie led her teammates to the back door, protected only by a pin pad. "They're all busy in front. We can just take any pokeballs that were left back here." Jessie started to enter the still recalled code on the pin pad, then pausing as she recalled all the smiling, enthusiastic trainers that had visited her here, even trusted her, though only momentarily, to help their pokemon with what they needed.

The pin pad beeped, indicating a wrong answer. "Did they change the combination?" James suggested.

"No!" Jessie insisted. She'd taken too long to enter it, that was all. Well, there was no more need to hesitate. She entered the memorized code quickly this time. The past was done, and she was ready to acquire more pokemon for Team Rocket's sake, forget whoever their current trainers happened to be.

Beep. Again. Was it really wrong? Jessie's fingers moved quickly, entering it again, and then a fourth time, still getting the annoying beeps in response instead of the click open. Had she remembered it wrong? Maybe it was something else instead. Jessie tried a different combination, and then another. Had they upped the last digit one or two?

Eventually, the alarm started to sound. "You didn't really remember, did you?" Meowth said, running off.

"Stay right there," Jessie said as James was about to follow. She wanted to try one more time. If the staff was similarly running off scared at the sound of the alarm, all the better for them to take the pokemon without interference.

The door opened, but instead of the clean path to any pokeballs in storage, one of the Joys stood. "Jessie," she said.

After a moment, Jessie recognized her as Dr. Helen Joy, one of the main lecturers and observers from her school. The fact Jessie herself had been recognized was just irritating. She'd moved on from this life, so they should have moved on from her. "What do you want?" Jessie asked.

"Jessie, I... I mean, you're the visitor," Dr. Joy said, shaking her head.

Indeed she was, though she'd hoped to be an invader rather than a guest. Jessie couldn't give a decent reply to that observation.

"I recognized you in the papers. Everyone else thought it couldn't be you. Of course, we never heard from you afterward. I was always sad about what happened to you," Dr. Joy continued.

"Why?" Jessie asked. This little false show of lamentation was easy enough to respond to. "I've never been sad about it at all. It only led me to my true calling." Jessie pointed forward. "Step aside! We're here to repurpose pokemon to someone really worthy, in the name of Team Rocket!"

"I am sorry, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes... It really is sad." The woman looked at Jessie's uniform, then made eye contact again, shaking her head.

"You should be sad for yourself!" Jessie didn't hold back as she often had during her time as a student. "You're tied down while I'm free. You're tied to harmful limits that Team Rocket will smash, has already smashed. Thanks for being one that pushed me to Team Rocket, the shining future of pokemon and the world. I have no regrets. Now move!"

This time, Jessie took the initiative to try and push the woman out of the way. But before she could even step over the threshold, the door was slammed in her face. She fell back, feeling the sting. "Are you alright, Jessie?" James asked.

"Come on!" Meowth wandered back, pushing both of their legs to goad them away from the building. "I see the cops on the way. Let's just get out of here!"

The pair of humans followed Meowth. Seeing a group of people ahead, they ran and hid in a tree nearby the pokemon center, from a distance watching the various staff, police, and others wander around, probably all investigating their attempted break in and theft.

"Someone's gonna spot us if we leave now," Meowth said, digging its claws further into the bark. "Let's wait until they leave, or at least when it's dark."

"Fine," Jessie muttered. Stealing from that place would have been perfect karma, given them a nice stash of pokemon to take back to base, but it seemed that wasn't going to happen.

"Did you really mean what you said, Jessie?" James asked.

"What now?" Jessie asked, not completely paying attention as she was still caught up in her own disappointment.

"You know... About Team Rocket. Not that I question your dedication, but I wasn't ever sure you really wanted to join," James said.

"What do you mean? Jessie doesn't like Team Rocket?" Meowth's expression turned worried.

"Did you really think about me?" Jessie asked, sighing to herself as she tried to calm and relax for what was certainly going to be a long and uncomfortable wait. "Well, remove all doubts from your mind, as I have. It look me longer to realize Team Rocket's value and potential, and how I could reach my own potential through them, but now I have."

"Since when?" James asked.

"You want specifics?" Jessie asked, musing to her past experiences. Of course, the memory of joining was pleasant. After being treated as an outsider for months, she had James greeting her with such enthusiasm, overjoyed to have her join him, join all of them. Then they'd made matching uniforms, since they'd decided to work together as partners. When she'd put on that uniform, there was a sense of pride she couldn't recall from any other. She'd then styled her hair how she wanted, no controlled braids like in Pokemon Tech, pulling it back or into a hairnet like in various meaningless jobs, or silly loops like her time as an apprentice nurse. She'd been wild and free, in dress, but also spirit, knowing she'd be a part of Team Rocket as they headed toward the white tomorrow that they were sure to reach. In the present, it was much better to recall that light feeling than how empty and defeated she'd felt when standing in the useless Pokemon Tech and apprentice nurse uniforms when being told she didn't belong in such places.

But of course, she wasn't defined by her adornments. That was just a reflection of various other aspects of herself. Just an outfit wouldn't convince her to join Team Rocket, it was the symbol of what she knew it all represented. So when had she been convinced of Team Rocket's worth?

"It was before I joined, of course," Jessie explained. "Maybe it took me a while to be convinced, but I wouldn't take the steps unless I was."

"Of course. That's who you are, isn't it?" James said. Meowth appeared to become relaxed at the response, paying attention to the people that fretted over their actions. There was no need to say anything else. After all, these two also understood that Team Rocket was an elite group that would reach goals that other, more limited organizations couldn't. And of course, they were part of the exclusive worthy group that would help bring such a reality to fruition.

---

Being back in Viridian City was lonely. Not that it had ever been Jessie's home for long, but coming here alone with no one to reach out to only amplified how alone she really was. Even so, at least the area was familiar without having reminders of her most recent failure. She also had a roof over her head for the moment, though she'd have to keep working to maintain that. Was getting some meaningless, boring job really all she was going to be able to do for the rest of her life?

Jessie contemplated that in the bar, the drink she'd ordered in front of her untouched. Not that there was anything wrong with having a drink every once in a while, but drinking was a vice she didn't want to be hers. If she indulged in it right then, would she fall into just distracting herself from her pain without ever getting anything done? She'd seen it happen to others, and didn't want it to happen to her.

Of course, she was above them, and only having one drink. Even thinking that, the drink remained on the table as Jessie stared at the extended bar and other patrons. The lighting was terrible, and the people, mostly men, were obnoxious. She took a sip. That might help with her immediate surroundings at least.

"Hey, you," a guy came up to her as if he knew her. "How are you today?"

"Better before you got here," Jessie muttered.

He just laughed. "Don't be like that! You're quite pretty, you know."

As if she needed him to tell her that in order to know. Jessie rolled her eyes and took another sip.

"Hey! I'm trying to be nice here!" the man shouted.

Of course, his friendly attitude changed to scorn when she refused to have over the top appreciation for his attention. How utterly predictable. "Get out of my face," Jessie said as she drank the third time.

"You heard her."

As the would-be Casanova turned to the intimidating man that had interrupted, he suddenly had nothing to say, and just shuffled off. Did he know who the newcomer was? Possibly, but it was also possible that the other man's intimidating demeanor was enough to get the annoying person to back off. Jessie actually did know who the interloper was, but neither his status nor his attitude were going to get her to acknowledge him. She just turned away, taking another sip.

He sat down without being invited. "I was surprised to hear you were in town," he said.

"Shouldn't you be busy ordering your underlings around?" Jessie asked.

"They're all competent enough to not need my constant supervision," the rocket boss said.

Hearing that brought back still fresh memories of when Jessie had been told she was good enough to help trainers without being observed each time, and how happy she'd felt to hear it. Why was everything a reminder of this failure? Her quest to be a pokemon nurse was done and over with, so why hadn't she moved beyond it already?

"Did you have other business here? Something to do with your goal to be involved in pokemon health care?" the rocket boss asked.

So he knew about that? Why did he even care? "I'm done with that," Jessie snapped.

"Weren't you willing to do what it takes?"

"Huh?" Jessie stood up, shouting at him. "I did everything I could! They just weren't ready to accept me! It's a den of nepotism there, and I'm not related to any of them!"

The rocket boss didn't seem like one to get into drunken fights, but maybe he'd realize that Jessie herself could be drunk. She wasn't, at least not yet, but didn't care what he thought. Since she was shouting at him, would he get someone to beat her up, or just leave her in her undignified state?

He responded to her seriously instead. "I see nothing wrong with relying on kin," he said. "Who better to take on important roles than your family. You'll know better if they're reliable and trustworthy. They'll also know one's business better from having been around it."

Jessie sat back down. He was right. Her former classmates had not only the advantage of their relations, but any knowledge they'd gained from having grown up as part of a family of pokemon nurses. Meanwhile, Jessie had the advantage of age and other experience. Why was she complaining, when she'd just been found to be inferior after all was said and done? Losers making excuses was always unsightly.

"Of course, blood isn't everything," the rocket boss continued after a few moments of silence. "If I were incompetent or lazy, I know my own mother have would rather left me homeless rather than have had me take over for her."

Jessie's eyes focused on the person in front of her, seeing his expression was serious, his attention certainly directed at her. That little detail was fairly personal as well. Why was he bothering with someone like her?

"And of course, it's your own reputation that had me seek you out, before and currently, not just your relation to one of the best agents Team Rocket has ever had."

One of the- So it was true. This guy had implied it last time they'd met, and now said so directly. Jessie had thought her memory was possibly faulty, but apparently that had been a Team Rocket uniform that Jessie had seen that person wearing at times. Her mother being part of Team Rocket had been something she'd long suspected, with various other facts and events to back it up, so she had no reason to doubt what this man said to her. The idea contributed to her aversion of the group. Thinking about it, she took another chug of her beverage. "What's she doing now?" Jessie asked, again avoiding eye contact.

"Miyamoto? She died years ago, of course," the rocket boss informed. "Weren't you told?" he asked as Jessie sat up. "How cruel. My condolences."

The new knowledge of her mother's death was a very dismal sort of comfort. On one hand, she knew she hadn't just been abandoned and forgotten. Her mother's death had been suspect before, but now she knew for sure. On the other hand, now she was sure to never see her only known family again.

The rocket boss still didn't leave as Jessie finished off her drink. The glass empty, he finally spoke. "It's their mistake for rejecting you," he said. "Well, I suppose they accepted you to their school seeing your potential, but it's their mistake for not having you now. I'd like it to be to my benefit. Join Team Rocket. I'll make you a trainer and top agent."

Jessie laughed out loud, perhaps the effect of the drink taking hold. "What makes you think I'm gonna fall for your false promises? You think I'm some gullible little cultie ready to follow your orders and drink your kool aide?"

"Team Rocket is a legitimate organization," the rocket boss said seriously. "I thoughtfully consider who I bring on as employees. My goal is to fashion them all into an elite group of trainers, to eventually rule over all other trainers, and then the world."

Jessie might have laughed again at hearing the extravagant idea of world domination expressed with a deadpan tone, but the idea that this might be a real path to her becoming a trainer did catch her attention. "Then you'd give me some pokemon now?" she asked.

"There's not enough at this time."

"You're just going to string me along, aren't you? Get me to do some crap while promising something you never follow through on."

"That's not me," the rocket boss insisted firmly. "Should I lie to you? I'll be honest, we're still very lacking in pokemon acquired when compared to the numerous humans on my staff. But I'm telling the truth in that I will eventually provide you with pokemon if you join, along with all of my other agents. In the meantime, the job will be no pittance. I'll compensate you fairly including room and board. You can trust me on both of these promises."

Jessie wasn't sure she did. In any case, that he was promising her a salary and an easy place to stay might be enough for the moment.

"I only seek out those that are worthy and competent enough to match my vision," the rocket boss continued. "As I'm sure you've experienced, there are many trainers out there who are far less than worthy."

That fact had blared itself out on more than one occasion. Jessie bit her lip as memories of how ran through her mind.

"It's a shame they're trainers when ones far more worthy such as yourself aren't. When Team Rocket's in control of all pokemon, the unworthy will have all of their pokemon repurposed to my competent allies. Including yourself, or so I hope." The rocket boss stood from the table. Apparently the conversation was over. "Think things over, and come see me in Viridian Gym if you accept my offer. This will be the last time I ask."

"Wait!" Jessie said. She paid before she rushed over and met him at the door. "Before I decide, I want to see your pokemon."

The rocket boss nodded. "That's fine. Come outside," he invited.

Jessie followed him through the streets and to a park. Once they were at a spot with enough space, he released three pokemon: Nidorina, Nidorino, and Rhyhorn. All of them appeared content, likely battle active though still in perfect health, happily ready for the next fight. Even in the dim streetlight, Jessie could see Rhyhorn's polished features and the other pokemon's vibrant colors and sharp, well-groomed needles. "You understand how to raise pokemon to be strong and healthy," Jessie commented.

"Of course," the rocket boss said as he returned them to their pokeballs. "In Team Rocket, nothing is overlooked when it comes to raising the best pokemon."

From looking at his pokemon, it seemed the rocket boss would never allow anything subpar to become the status quo. Had James been right about the group being elite after all? Their boss spoke about lofty ideals like ruling the world, but if he was willing to actually dedicate himself, who could say that couldn't become the truth? What would happen if Jessie put effort into an organization that was willing to do what it took for their ideals?

Maybe this was what she had been seeking after all. Perhaps she'd been aiming too low before, allowing herself to be limited by the visions of others. In Team Rocket, she wouldn't have to constantly hustle for some commonplace job like running a pokemon center, likely in an undesirable place none of the Joys wanted to go. She could be a trainer after all, and maybe a person with other status and prestige, moving onto acting and everything else she desired. After all, here was a group that apparently acknowledged her merit and value, with a leader and employees, or members, that also understood important facts. If accepting, eventually she'd become the trainer she always dreamed of, and that would only be the start.

How could she refuse?

---

End notes: I'm going to give myself a break next week after all the time spent going through this chapter this week, but then I'll be back. Thanks for reading!

Next chapter: Aya vs. Misty