Chapter Three: The 'Foolproof' Plan
The walk out of the HQ was pretty much silent between the two friends. Jesse looked at James every now and again trying to read the expression on his face. She found this difficult and gave up.
"What are we going to do?" James said at last, sniffing slightly.
"I told you I have a plan" Jesse snapped but she had lied to James again. She had no idea how they were supposed to beat Ash and Pikachu. They had tried almost every idea they had, had over the years but Ash had thwarted every one of them. James sighed and kicked a few stones with his boot. "I may as well leave Team Rocket now"
"No way" Jesse said grabbing onto his arm as she spoke. "We are not going to give up James."
"Jesse, Giovanni hates me. Even if we do by some miracle get Pikachu and manage to keep it long enough to give to the Boss then how do you know that he won't fire me anyway?"
"I don't" Jesse said honestly "But I promise you this. If you go then I go. We're a team James. Even Giovanni realises that"
"You'd leave just for me?" James asked, tears forming in his eyes. He knew how much living up to her mother's legacy meant to Jesse.
"Of course" Jesse replied.
"Thank you" James said, wiping his eyes. He gingerly put his arms round his friend and hugged her. This act surprised Jesse. She normally started the hugs they shared. James was almost afraid to touch her without permission first. "Come on silly" Jesse said ruffling his hair affectionately. "We'd better hurry back to the cabin and tell Meowth"
They found the cat sitting on the sofa watching TV. "So how did it go?" he asked lazily.
Jesse related to him the conversation with Giovanni whilst James hung his head in shame.
"Whoa da Boss really means it dis time doesn't he?" Meowth asked.
"Yes that's why we have to succeed in finally capturing that Pikachu" Jesse said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. This determination was just a show for James. Jesse was aware that the chances were that Ash would beat them again but they had to try.
"That's right today Team Rocket will finally beat that little twerp and show him and the Boss exactly what we can do," James added happily.
"Dis is gonna take some work" Meowth said. "Now we hafta tink here. What is da twerps big weaknesses?"
"Well that scrawny girlfriend of his goes all goofy over water Pokemon" James said.
"And the big twerp loves pretty girls" Jesse added.
"And da main twerp?" Meowth asked.
"I'm thinking" Jesse snapped annoyed that she couldn't think of anything.
James seemed to be having the same trouble. Jesse thought back to why the twerp was here in the first place. He was here to battle Leah, the leader of the Teal Town gym. That was the key Jesse was sure of it. Leah, if Jesse remembered rightly, used Ground and Grass type Pokemon. The two types that Pikachu would be weak against. "I've got it!" Jesse cried triumphantly "The twerp will send out Pikachu to battle Leah even through he knows that grass and ground beat electric types. Pikachu will be knocked out and when the twerp finishes the gym battle all of his other Pokemon will be too tired out to stop us! See I'm not just a pretty face"
"Not even dat" Meowth muttered.
"What did you say?" Jesse demanded.
"But what about the other two?" James asked. "They will just send their Pokemon out against us instead"
"I was coming to that" Jesse snapped. "We have to distract them somehow"
James and Meowth looked at each other. They had a feeling they wouldn't like Jesse's plan very much.
"Jesse dis is stupid" Meowth argued ten minutes later "Dare is no way dat red headed twerp is gonna tink dat I am a Golduck"
Jesse frowned Meowth had a point. He was dressed up in one of those fancy dress costumes people wore to parties. His face was fatter than a Golducks and was all squashed in and looked out of shape completely and reminded Jesse somewhat of Meowth's Sunflora costume a few months back. The tail was too small and dragged along behind Meowth. The feet were the wrong size and he looked like a freak. "She's pretty stupid," Jesse said. "Anyway if she starts to ask questions James knows what to do"
"Dats what I'm worried about" was the reply.
"Shut up. You don't hear James complaining"
"Where is Jimmy anyway? If I hafta be humiliated den he should be out here with me"
At that moment James emerged from the bathroom. Meowth started to snigger until Jesse smacked him hard over the head rendering him unconscious. "What do you think?" James giggled twirling round a few times. "Very nice" Jesse said dryly. James was dressed up as a schoolgirl. He wore a grey skirt, white blouse, a black and yellow tie and a grey blazer. James had even pinned a red rose in his hair.
"You think so?" James asked. Since the twerps journeyed into Johto James had not cross-dressed as much as he used too. They used more robots and nets and things instead to surprise the brat pack and so did not need to dress up very often. "Now all you have to do is look innocent and helpless and the two twerps will follow you anywhere"
"Dat should be easy for yous Jim" Meowth added, getting up and rubbing his head.
"Our plan is foolproof" Jesse declared. "No one can stop us now"
"But Jesse?" James asked "What will you be doing whilst me and Meowth are distracting the other two?"
"I'll be grabbing Pikachu"
"Hey!" Meowth shouted, "Why don't me and James get to snatch Pikachu?"
"Because after a few calculations" Jesse said holding up a calculator "I found that James messes 60% of our missions, Meowth messes up 39% and I mess up 1%"
Meowth frowned "Let me take a look Jess"
"Lets go" Jesse said. "The twerp will have finished at the gym before we get there at this rate"
James walked slowly towards the huge gates of the Teal Town gym feeling more than a little nervous. If he messed this up then Jesse would kill him not to mention what Giovanni would do. James, if he were completely honest, would like to get out of Team Rocket. At first the idea of being a high profile Pokemon thief appealed to him. The kind of children who were trainers was the sort who despised and picked on James when he was a child just because they weren't a millionaire's son. They all judged James on his parent's fortune and hated him for it. James vividly remembered all the jeering and beatings he suffered at the hands of these children. Now joining Team Rocket gave him the edge on them. Sure they were grown up too but that didn't stop James stealing from them. He used to laugh to himself when they showed some recognition of who he was. But now James thought about it he hadn't really joined to get revenge on these bullies. He joined because he was in love with Jesse and the thought of her leaving him was too painful for him to bear. Jesse had a duty to join because of who her mother was. But after a few months of getting beaten up by a ten-year-old boy and a small mouse Team Rocket lost its appeal. James often found himself wishing that Giovanni would call them up and tell them they were fired. That was the only way to get out of Team Rocket. No one quit and the ones who tried disappeared. Giovanni only fired you if he thought it would be for the best. Now James knew that come this evening he would be fired and part of him was relieved but he was mostly frightened. Where would he go? He'd have to go home. He would be an ex rocket and no one would want to give him a job knowing that. And what about Jesse? Giovanni would never let her go. If James were fired then he would never see his Jesse again. James stifled a sob and took a moment to regain himself. They had to win loosing was no longer an option.
James pushed open the heavy gym doors and quickly located the twerps. Ash was facing off against Leah. The gym leader was using a Sandshrew and Ash had called on Cyndaquil. Brock and Misty were standing on the sidelines. James noted that sitting next to Ash's backpack was an exhausted looking Pikachu. Maybe he could grab it now before anyone noticed him? No he had to stick to the plan. James skipped up to Brock and Misty and said in the most feminine voice he could. "Excuse me? Are any of you the gym leader of Cerulean City?"
Jesse's instructions had been simple. Pretend that he wanted to trade his Golduck (Meowth) for one of her Pokemon. Lead the two of them into the woods and stall them long enough for Jesse to grab Pikachu. Misty opened her mouth to reply but Brock jumped in front of her. "And what can we do for a beautiful girl like you then?"
James, disgusted, pulled his hand from Brock's own. "Are you the gym leader or not?"
"Who wants to know?" Misty demanded grabbing Brock by the ear and pulling him away from James.
"Well I know that you specialise in water Pokemon. I have a Golduck and I was wondering if you wanted to trade it for one of you're Pokemon?"
"A Golduck!" Misty's eyes went all dreamy as she thought of one of her favourite water Pokemon. "Can I see it please?" she begged.
James smiled to himself. This was going to be all too easy. "Of course. I left my little darling in the woods. If you'd like to follow me"
"I don't know" Brock hesitated. He looked back to Ash. "We're meant to be supporting our friend"
"If you want me and you can trade email addresses" James offered.
"Really?" Brock cried. "Lead the way"
Jesse watched from the bushes as James and the two twerps walked away and towards the woods. For once James isn't ruining everything she thought happily. Maybe this time we'll win! Jesse sighed and went back to digging the hole half a block away from the gym itself. It was hard going doing it on her own and she suddenly wished that James were with her instead of with Meowth. Catching Pikachu would be a great victory and she wanted James with her when they did. Was it just her or was James not as upset as he should be at the thought of getting fired? Jesse tried to shake this feeling off. James didn't want to get fired did he? Jesse had never had doubts like this since…well since they found out about James' fortune. Jesse, for a few awful minutes, thought that James was going to abandon her. It was in those few minutes that Jesse realised how much she cared for him and what would happen if James disappeared from her life. Meowth, she was sure knew what she was thinking. If James got fired Jesse would walk too. Ok she knew the price of quitting but she couldn't let James leave now. In those few minutes over a year ago she also realised that she loved James. She could never tell him. James wouldn't laugh at her but he might do something worse. He might reject her. That Jesse could never bear. So many people had rejected her in her life she didn't want James to be one of them. That was why she treated him so badly at times. So he would stay with her. He needed her but not as much as Jesse needed him. Jesse hated the way she treated James when all she wanted to do was kiss him. She had never felt awkward hugging him but lately a little voice in the back of her mind was daring her to pull his face towards hers and kiss him. But she could never do that. James didn't love her and never would. He may be her age but at times acted much younger. He still had a child like quality that Jesse loved about him. Like those bottle caps that he collected. He told her that they made him happy. Jesse, for a long time believed that the only thing that could make her happy was to have her mother back and live up to Miyamoto's name in Team Rocket history. She realised now that James made her happy and even through they were failures in Giovanni's eyes they were happy.
"Oh Pikachu you did you're best," the twerp said jogging Jesse from her thoughts. Come on Jess time to get down to business she told herself. Jesse covered the hole with leaves and twigs and hid in the bushes waiting for the twerp to fall into her trap.
"So where is this Golduck anyway?" Misty asked James. He had been leading them through the woods for about ten minutes and still Meowth hadn't emerged from the bushes. James was beginning to worry. Meowth had better show up he thought angrily.
"It's very shy" James lied. "My poor little Golduck has been through so much"
"Please don't get upset miss" Brock said grabbing hold of James' hand again "My friend is just a little moody a times. Please ignore her. I'm sure you're Golduck is the best one there is"
At that moment Meowth came out from the bushes. James run to him and hugged "There's my little one. We were looking everywhere for you!"
"That is your Golduck?" Misty asked not bothering to hide the disgust in her voice.
"Isn't it a gem?"
"Yeah…" Misty started to back away from James and Meowth "It certainly is a rare looking Pokemon"
Brock knelt down beside Meowth "I don't know about this Golduck? It looks a little weird"
James knew he would have to go to plan b. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and said in a shaking voice. "Please don't be mean to my Golduck. It has had a hard life you see. Its flock rejected it and its last trainer used to kick it. It has got so depressed that it has let itself go over the years. I really don't have time to train it so I thought that maybe one of you kind trainers could take it from me. But if you, like all the others, think that it is weird and horrible then I guess I'll be on my way"
"What a sad story" Brock sniffed "A tale of despair and loneliness. But fear not miss. We will take this Golduck from you and give it the home it deserves"
"Brock!" Misty hissed "It is really ugly. I am not having an ugly Pokemon"
"Who are yous calling ugly?" Meowth screamed. James clamped a hand over Meowth's mouth but the damage had been done. "That's Meowth" Misty cried backing away angrily.
James swore under his breath as Meowth ripped off the Golduck costume. "Dats right kid. Now hand over every Pokemon dat you've got!"
"Are you Jesse or James?" Brock asked.
"James"
"Ah! I nearly gave you my email!"
"Brock get a grip" Misty shouted. "We have to battle these two"
"Right" James said grabbing the two Pokeballs with Weezing and Victreebell inside.
"No!" Meowth yelled. "We hafta keep dem busy whilst Jesse steals Pikachu. If we battle dem den dey will win"
"So this was a distraction" Brock said angrily.
"We have to help Ash" Misty added.
"Meowth this is all you're fault" James shouted.
Misty and Brock were now running back the way they had come. James tried to send out Weezing to stop them but tripped over the heels on his shoes and fell into Meowth.
"Jimmy get dem!" Meowth screeched.
James jumped up and started to run after them.
Jesse smirked to herself as Ash neared her trap there was no way that this could fail. Ash's Pokemon would be exhasuted from the battle and would not be able to help him out. "Don't worry Pikachu" Ash was saying "You gave it you're best shot"
"Pikachu" the mouse whimpered in reply. Ash hugged it close to his chest and stepped onto the twigs and leaves Jesse had used to cover the hole. "Ah!" he yelled out in surprise as he fell down landing with a thud. Pikachu slipped through his fingers and Jesse leapt out of the bushes catching it in a net. "Pikachu!" Ash cried.
Jesse looked down at him and laughed. "You're little friend can't help you now".
"Not you again" he yelled back. She laughed again and was about to launch into the motto and then remembered that James was not with her. That didn't matter through Jesse had Pikachu and Ash was trapped. Jesse realised that she had Ash cornered. She could steal all his other Pokemon too "Pikachu thunderbolt!" Ash ordered but the mouse was too tired from the battle and only managed a little spark. Jesse didn't feel it in the slightest. "Now hand over every other Pokemon you have" she said.
"No way!"
"If you don't then" Jesse indecated the bomb to Ash's right. She held up the remote that controlled it "Then you will find out how we feel getting blasted off into oblvion twerp"
"You are unbelieveable!" Ash raged "When I get out of here you will be in big trouble".
"You don't have a choice" Jesse said smugly "Now hand over the Pokeballs"
Ash glowered at her and went to unclip them from his belt when Jesse heard new voices.
"Ash! Team Rocket tricked us!" Jesse turned round and saw Misty and Brock racing towards her followed by James and Meowth. "Give back Pikachu" Misty shouted at Jesse.
"Don't make us get nasty" Brock added. Jesse swore under her breath. James and Meowth were totally useless. But it was no matter. She had Pikachu and soon would have Ash's other Pokemon too. "Arbok go!" Jesse released her cobra before the kids could react. "Tackle attack" she commanded. Arbok complied slamming into the others and Brock and Misty joined Ash in the hole. Jesse grinned "Looks like we win after all!"
James and Meowth started cheering and shouting happily. "No thanks to you two" Jesse muttered angrily. "You can't do this" Ash yelled.
"Oh but we can" Jesse said. Deciding that it would be better to escape with Pikachu before the twerps got out of the hole she pressed the button that would set off the bomb. Ash and his friends flinched and covered their heads but nothing happened. Jesse sighed she should have known better than to let James handle the setting of the bomb. "What is wrong?" she yelled at him.
"I don't know Jess" James stammered nervously. Jesse shoved him into the hole next to Misty. "Fix it this instant!"
James picked up the bomb and checked over it carefully. "There doesn't appear to be anything wrong". The twerps used Ash's Chikarita to help them out of the hole whilst James was messing about with the bomb. Jesse and Meowth climbed in beside James. "Well?" Meowth demanded impatiently "What's da hold up?"
James frowned and then smiled happily. "I put the blue wire in the wrong place. If I just put it back here then it should work"
"NO!" Meowth screamed "Don't do dat!"
James put the wire back in place and smiled in satisfaction.
BOOM! The bomb went off in their faces sending the three of them flying into the air. Jesse felt Pikachu slipping from her grip as they flew. "We're blasting off again!" James and Meowth screamed but Jesse remained silent as Pikachu fell to earth below.
The walk out of the HQ was pretty much silent between the two friends. Jesse looked at James every now and again trying to read the expression on his face. She found this difficult and gave up.
"What are we going to do?" James said at last, sniffing slightly.
"I told you I have a plan" Jesse snapped but she had lied to James again. She had no idea how they were supposed to beat Ash and Pikachu. They had tried almost every idea they had, had over the years but Ash had thwarted every one of them. James sighed and kicked a few stones with his boot. "I may as well leave Team Rocket now"
"No way" Jesse said grabbing onto his arm as she spoke. "We are not going to give up James."
"Jesse, Giovanni hates me. Even if we do by some miracle get Pikachu and manage to keep it long enough to give to the Boss then how do you know that he won't fire me anyway?"
"I don't" Jesse said honestly "But I promise you this. If you go then I go. We're a team James. Even Giovanni realises that"
"You'd leave just for me?" James asked, tears forming in his eyes. He knew how much living up to her mother's legacy meant to Jesse.
"Of course" Jesse replied.
"Thank you" James said, wiping his eyes. He gingerly put his arms round his friend and hugged her. This act surprised Jesse. She normally started the hugs they shared. James was almost afraid to touch her without permission first. "Come on silly" Jesse said ruffling his hair affectionately. "We'd better hurry back to the cabin and tell Meowth"
They found the cat sitting on the sofa watching TV. "So how did it go?" he asked lazily.
Jesse related to him the conversation with Giovanni whilst James hung his head in shame.
"Whoa da Boss really means it dis time doesn't he?" Meowth asked.
"Yes that's why we have to succeed in finally capturing that Pikachu" Jesse said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. This determination was just a show for James. Jesse was aware that the chances were that Ash would beat them again but they had to try.
"That's right today Team Rocket will finally beat that little twerp and show him and the Boss exactly what we can do," James added happily.
"Dis is gonna take some work" Meowth said. "Now we hafta tink here. What is da twerps big weaknesses?"
"Well that scrawny girlfriend of his goes all goofy over water Pokemon" James said.
"And the big twerp loves pretty girls" Jesse added.
"And da main twerp?" Meowth asked.
"I'm thinking" Jesse snapped annoyed that she couldn't think of anything.
James seemed to be having the same trouble. Jesse thought back to why the twerp was here in the first place. He was here to battle Leah, the leader of the Teal Town gym. That was the key Jesse was sure of it. Leah, if Jesse remembered rightly, used Ground and Grass type Pokemon. The two types that Pikachu would be weak against. "I've got it!" Jesse cried triumphantly "The twerp will send out Pikachu to battle Leah even through he knows that grass and ground beat electric types. Pikachu will be knocked out and when the twerp finishes the gym battle all of his other Pokemon will be too tired out to stop us! See I'm not just a pretty face"
"Not even dat" Meowth muttered.
"What did you say?" Jesse demanded.
"But what about the other two?" James asked. "They will just send their Pokemon out against us instead"
"I was coming to that" Jesse snapped. "We have to distract them somehow"
James and Meowth looked at each other. They had a feeling they wouldn't like Jesse's plan very much.
"Jesse dis is stupid" Meowth argued ten minutes later "Dare is no way dat red headed twerp is gonna tink dat I am a Golduck"
Jesse frowned Meowth had a point. He was dressed up in one of those fancy dress costumes people wore to parties. His face was fatter than a Golducks and was all squashed in and looked out of shape completely and reminded Jesse somewhat of Meowth's Sunflora costume a few months back. The tail was too small and dragged along behind Meowth. The feet were the wrong size and he looked like a freak. "She's pretty stupid," Jesse said. "Anyway if she starts to ask questions James knows what to do"
"Dats what I'm worried about" was the reply.
"Shut up. You don't hear James complaining"
"Where is Jimmy anyway? If I hafta be humiliated den he should be out here with me"
At that moment James emerged from the bathroom. Meowth started to snigger until Jesse smacked him hard over the head rendering him unconscious. "What do you think?" James giggled twirling round a few times. "Very nice" Jesse said dryly. James was dressed up as a schoolgirl. He wore a grey skirt, white blouse, a black and yellow tie and a grey blazer. James had even pinned a red rose in his hair.
"You think so?" James asked. Since the twerps journeyed into Johto James had not cross-dressed as much as he used too. They used more robots and nets and things instead to surprise the brat pack and so did not need to dress up very often. "Now all you have to do is look innocent and helpless and the two twerps will follow you anywhere"
"Dat should be easy for yous Jim" Meowth added, getting up and rubbing his head.
"Our plan is foolproof" Jesse declared. "No one can stop us now"
"But Jesse?" James asked "What will you be doing whilst me and Meowth are distracting the other two?"
"I'll be grabbing Pikachu"
"Hey!" Meowth shouted, "Why don't me and James get to snatch Pikachu?"
"Because after a few calculations" Jesse said holding up a calculator "I found that James messes 60% of our missions, Meowth messes up 39% and I mess up 1%"
Meowth frowned "Let me take a look Jess"
"Lets go" Jesse said. "The twerp will have finished at the gym before we get there at this rate"
James walked slowly towards the huge gates of the Teal Town gym feeling more than a little nervous. If he messed this up then Jesse would kill him not to mention what Giovanni would do. James, if he were completely honest, would like to get out of Team Rocket. At first the idea of being a high profile Pokemon thief appealed to him. The kind of children who were trainers was the sort who despised and picked on James when he was a child just because they weren't a millionaire's son. They all judged James on his parent's fortune and hated him for it. James vividly remembered all the jeering and beatings he suffered at the hands of these children. Now joining Team Rocket gave him the edge on them. Sure they were grown up too but that didn't stop James stealing from them. He used to laugh to himself when they showed some recognition of who he was. But now James thought about it he hadn't really joined to get revenge on these bullies. He joined because he was in love with Jesse and the thought of her leaving him was too painful for him to bear. Jesse had a duty to join because of who her mother was. But after a few months of getting beaten up by a ten-year-old boy and a small mouse Team Rocket lost its appeal. James often found himself wishing that Giovanni would call them up and tell them they were fired. That was the only way to get out of Team Rocket. No one quit and the ones who tried disappeared. Giovanni only fired you if he thought it would be for the best. Now James knew that come this evening he would be fired and part of him was relieved but he was mostly frightened. Where would he go? He'd have to go home. He would be an ex rocket and no one would want to give him a job knowing that. And what about Jesse? Giovanni would never let her go. If James were fired then he would never see his Jesse again. James stifled a sob and took a moment to regain himself. They had to win loosing was no longer an option.
James pushed open the heavy gym doors and quickly located the twerps. Ash was facing off against Leah. The gym leader was using a Sandshrew and Ash had called on Cyndaquil. Brock and Misty were standing on the sidelines. James noted that sitting next to Ash's backpack was an exhausted looking Pikachu. Maybe he could grab it now before anyone noticed him? No he had to stick to the plan. James skipped up to Brock and Misty and said in the most feminine voice he could. "Excuse me? Are any of you the gym leader of Cerulean City?"
Jesse's instructions had been simple. Pretend that he wanted to trade his Golduck (Meowth) for one of her Pokemon. Lead the two of them into the woods and stall them long enough for Jesse to grab Pikachu. Misty opened her mouth to reply but Brock jumped in front of her. "And what can we do for a beautiful girl like you then?"
James, disgusted, pulled his hand from Brock's own. "Are you the gym leader or not?"
"Who wants to know?" Misty demanded grabbing Brock by the ear and pulling him away from James.
"Well I know that you specialise in water Pokemon. I have a Golduck and I was wondering if you wanted to trade it for one of you're Pokemon?"
"A Golduck!" Misty's eyes went all dreamy as she thought of one of her favourite water Pokemon. "Can I see it please?" she begged.
James smiled to himself. This was going to be all too easy. "Of course. I left my little darling in the woods. If you'd like to follow me"
"I don't know" Brock hesitated. He looked back to Ash. "We're meant to be supporting our friend"
"If you want me and you can trade email addresses" James offered.
"Really?" Brock cried. "Lead the way"
Jesse watched from the bushes as James and the two twerps walked away and towards the woods. For once James isn't ruining everything she thought happily. Maybe this time we'll win! Jesse sighed and went back to digging the hole half a block away from the gym itself. It was hard going doing it on her own and she suddenly wished that James were with her instead of with Meowth. Catching Pikachu would be a great victory and she wanted James with her when they did. Was it just her or was James not as upset as he should be at the thought of getting fired? Jesse tried to shake this feeling off. James didn't want to get fired did he? Jesse had never had doubts like this since…well since they found out about James' fortune. Jesse, for a few awful minutes, thought that James was going to abandon her. It was in those few minutes that Jesse realised how much she cared for him and what would happen if James disappeared from her life. Meowth, she was sure knew what she was thinking. If James got fired Jesse would walk too. Ok she knew the price of quitting but she couldn't let James leave now. In those few minutes over a year ago she also realised that she loved James. She could never tell him. James wouldn't laugh at her but he might do something worse. He might reject her. That Jesse could never bear. So many people had rejected her in her life she didn't want James to be one of them. That was why she treated him so badly at times. So he would stay with her. He needed her but not as much as Jesse needed him. Jesse hated the way she treated James when all she wanted to do was kiss him. She had never felt awkward hugging him but lately a little voice in the back of her mind was daring her to pull his face towards hers and kiss him. But she could never do that. James didn't love her and never would. He may be her age but at times acted much younger. He still had a child like quality that Jesse loved about him. Like those bottle caps that he collected. He told her that they made him happy. Jesse, for a long time believed that the only thing that could make her happy was to have her mother back and live up to Miyamoto's name in Team Rocket history. She realised now that James made her happy and even through they were failures in Giovanni's eyes they were happy.
"Oh Pikachu you did you're best," the twerp said jogging Jesse from her thoughts. Come on Jess time to get down to business she told herself. Jesse covered the hole with leaves and twigs and hid in the bushes waiting for the twerp to fall into her trap.
"So where is this Golduck anyway?" Misty asked James. He had been leading them through the woods for about ten minutes and still Meowth hadn't emerged from the bushes. James was beginning to worry. Meowth had better show up he thought angrily.
"It's very shy" James lied. "My poor little Golduck has been through so much"
"Please don't get upset miss" Brock said grabbing hold of James' hand again "My friend is just a little moody a times. Please ignore her. I'm sure you're Golduck is the best one there is"
At that moment Meowth came out from the bushes. James run to him and hugged "There's my little one. We were looking everywhere for you!"
"That is your Golduck?" Misty asked not bothering to hide the disgust in her voice.
"Isn't it a gem?"
"Yeah…" Misty started to back away from James and Meowth "It certainly is a rare looking Pokemon"
Brock knelt down beside Meowth "I don't know about this Golduck? It looks a little weird"
James knew he would have to go to plan b. He pulled a tissue from his pocket and said in a shaking voice. "Please don't be mean to my Golduck. It has had a hard life you see. Its flock rejected it and its last trainer used to kick it. It has got so depressed that it has let itself go over the years. I really don't have time to train it so I thought that maybe one of you kind trainers could take it from me. But if you, like all the others, think that it is weird and horrible then I guess I'll be on my way"
"What a sad story" Brock sniffed "A tale of despair and loneliness. But fear not miss. We will take this Golduck from you and give it the home it deserves"
"Brock!" Misty hissed "It is really ugly. I am not having an ugly Pokemon"
"Who are yous calling ugly?" Meowth screamed. James clamped a hand over Meowth's mouth but the damage had been done. "That's Meowth" Misty cried backing away angrily.
James swore under his breath as Meowth ripped off the Golduck costume. "Dats right kid. Now hand over every Pokemon dat you've got!"
"Are you Jesse or James?" Brock asked.
"James"
"Ah! I nearly gave you my email!"
"Brock get a grip" Misty shouted. "We have to battle these two"
"Right" James said grabbing the two Pokeballs with Weezing and Victreebell inside.
"No!" Meowth yelled. "We hafta keep dem busy whilst Jesse steals Pikachu. If we battle dem den dey will win"
"So this was a distraction" Brock said angrily.
"We have to help Ash" Misty added.
"Meowth this is all you're fault" James shouted.
Misty and Brock were now running back the way they had come. James tried to send out Weezing to stop them but tripped over the heels on his shoes and fell into Meowth.
"Jimmy get dem!" Meowth screeched.
James jumped up and started to run after them.
Jesse smirked to herself as Ash neared her trap there was no way that this could fail. Ash's Pokemon would be exhasuted from the battle and would not be able to help him out. "Don't worry Pikachu" Ash was saying "You gave it you're best shot"
"Pikachu" the mouse whimpered in reply. Ash hugged it close to his chest and stepped onto the twigs and leaves Jesse had used to cover the hole. "Ah!" he yelled out in surprise as he fell down landing with a thud. Pikachu slipped through his fingers and Jesse leapt out of the bushes catching it in a net. "Pikachu!" Ash cried.
Jesse looked down at him and laughed. "You're little friend can't help you now".
"Not you again" he yelled back. She laughed again and was about to launch into the motto and then remembered that James was not with her. That didn't matter through Jesse had Pikachu and Ash was trapped. Jesse realised that she had Ash cornered. She could steal all his other Pokemon too "Pikachu thunderbolt!" Ash ordered but the mouse was too tired from the battle and only managed a little spark. Jesse didn't feel it in the slightest. "Now hand over every other Pokemon you have" she said.
"No way!"
"If you don't then" Jesse indecated the bomb to Ash's right. She held up the remote that controlled it "Then you will find out how we feel getting blasted off into oblvion twerp"
"You are unbelieveable!" Ash raged "When I get out of here you will be in big trouble".
"You don't have a choice" Jesse said smugly "Now hand over the Pokeballs"
Ash glowered at her and went to unclip them from his belt when Jesse heard new voices.
"Ash! Team Rocket tricked us!" Jesse turned round and saw Misty and Brock racing towards her followed by James and Meowth. "Give back Pikachu" Misty shouted at Jesse.
"Don't make us get nasty" Brock added. Jesse swore under her breath. James and Meowth were totally useless. But it was no matter. She had Pikachu and soon would have Ash's other Pokemon too. "Arbok go!" Jesse released her cobra before the kids could react. "Tackle attack" she commanded. Arbok complied slamming into the others and Brock and Misty joined Ash in the hole. Jesse grinned "Looks like we win after all!"
James and Meowth started cheering and shouting happily. "No thanks to you two" Jesse muttered angrily. "You can't do this" Ash yelled.
"Oh but we can" Jesse said. Deciding that it would be better to escape with Pikachu before the twerps got out of the hole she pressed the button that would set off the bomb. Ash and his friends flinched and covered their heads but nothing happened. Jesse sighed she should have known better than to let James handle the setting of the bomb. "What is wrong?" she yelled at him.
"I don't know Jess" James stammered nervously. Jesse shoved him into the hole next to Misty. "Fix it this instant!"
James picked up the bomb and checked over it carefully. "There doesn't appear to be anything wrong". The twerps used Ash's Chikarita to help them out of the hole whilst James was messing about with the bomb. Jesse and Meowth climbed in beside James. "Well?" Meowth demanded impatiently "What's da hold up?"
James frowned and then smiled happily. "I put the blue wire in the wrong place. If I just put it back here then it should work"
"NO!" Meowth screamed "Don't do dat!"
James put the wire back in place and smiled in satisfaction.
BOOM! The bomb went off in their faces sending the three of them flying into the air. Jesse felt Pikachu slipping from her grip as they flew. "We're blasting off again!" James and Meowth screamed but Jesse remained silent as Pikachu fell to earth below.