Part II

The morning sunlight poured through the large window of the Library, bathing the room in a gorgeous golden hue. James sat at the grand piano in the center of the massive chamber, dressed in a black penguin tuxedo and leaning on one arm. His expression was morose and lifeless. The illuminating sunlight on his face made this young man of 18 seem more like 81. An empty, unmarked bottle lay on the floor.

James loosened his necktie and started to play the melody of an old ballad. It had been resting in the back of his mind, latent, and now he wanted to revive it. The name, the artist—he didn't know, and he didn't care. James began singing in a soft undertone, cleverly altering certain lyrics to fit his particular situation.



"Sitting here wasted and wounded

at this old piano

Trying hard to shake off

the feeling this morning I can't know

But this bottle of vodka

is still lodged in my head

And some girl gave me nightmares

I wish she was still in her bed

As I dream about movies

they won't make of me when I'm dead."

There was a sudden knock at the Library door. James knew all too well who it was.

"Master, may I come in?"

James stood up and moved away from the piano. "Sure."

The door opened to reveal Hopkins. An eager expression marked his face. "Sir, it is almost time! Is there anything I can get for you before the ceremony begins?"

James rubbed his head, sighing. "Yeah. A prairie oyster would be nice."

*

The orchard was filled with hundreds of guests, which was quite a surprise to James since they had to arrive on such short notice. He figured that they had been on standby for a good 11 years and were now desperate to get the whole thing over with. Some, like his mother, were wailing uncontrollably; others were talking among themselves; a few were even sleeping.

The wedding dragged on for what seemed like centuries to James, with Jessebelle surreptitiously enjoying every second of torture it caused for him. James was no fool, though. He knew she was silently laughing it up in that pompous wedding gown of hers, behind the loads of makeup that made her look like a Pokemon Princess Doll. But the ceremony itself was the least of his worries. There was still the night.

It was finally that time of the service. James knew there was no turning back, even if he gave the negative response or wouldn't answer at all. The whole damn thing was rigged. He was now in the spotlight. Feeling as if all sense of time and space had vanished, James couldn't even hear the first words spoken to him by the priest.



"… for better or worse, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"

Suddenly, a voice came from above. "Hold it!"

Startled by the peculiar response, everyone turned to see who it was. Lo and behold, there stood Jessie and Meowth among the top branches of a pear tree, their eyes locked on James and Jessebelle. That music so familiar to James' ears began to play.

Jessie began. "We've got a friend to protect, so you better prepare for trouble!"

Meowth continued. "Yeah, and we need him back with Team Rocket on da double!"

"To protect our friend from devastation!"



"Ta end a stupid altercation!"

"To denounce the evils of forced truth and love!"

"Ta blaze our reunion in da stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"Meeeowth!"

"Once again, Team Rocket will blast off at the speed of light!"

"Jess and Jim will be da most beautiful couple in sight!"

Jessie was overwhelmed by a heavy blush. "Meowth!!!"

The cat recoiled slightly and laughed. "Dat's right!"

The priest called out to them. "Hey! Just what in bloody hell do you think you're doing!?"

Surprised by his remark, Meowth snapped, "I t'ought you're supposed ta be a holy man!"

"Meowth, we don't have any time for this!" Jessie yelled. "We need to hurry!"

Meowth took his eyes off the priest. "You got it!" He faced the befuddled guests, a wide smile on his face. "Da forecast for dis weddin' is cloudy!" He pulled out a white smoke bomb and tossed it onto the ground. It burst immediately on impact, sending the crowd into a state of unbridled anarchy.

James was also engulfed in the cloud of blinding smoke. He covered his mouth and tried to navigate his way out of it. Suddenly, he was tugged from the billow. It was Jessie. "Come on!" she ordered. She pulled him away from the orchard, running toward the far end of the estate.

*

The stone Vaporeon fountain was located at a safe distance away from the orchard where the wedding ceremony had been taking place. Jessie and James slumped on its ledge, both out of breath from inhaling smoke fumes and running a considerable stretch.

After a brief moment of silence, James spoke up. "Thank you," he said. "You really saved me back there."

Jessie couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with him. "I can't believe you still want to talk to me… after what I did…."

"Of course I want to talk to you. Why wouldn't I?"

"You mean… you're not even mad at me?"

"I can't be. You came for me, which shows that you care."

"James… what I said yesterday… I shouldn't have said…. I didn't really mean it…." Jessie was now on the verge of tears.

James couldn't stand it any longer. He took her into his arms. "I'm glad to hear that." He lifted her head to make eye contact and smiled warmly.

Jessie smiled back, tears streaming down her cheeks. She lay her head against his chest. "I don't deserve a friend like you…."

As if on cue, Meowth came running up to them, babbling incoherently. He paused to catch his breath, then announced, "I hate ta spoil yer tender moment here, but da Southern belle is comin'!"

Jessie quickly wiped her tears and sprung to her feet. "What!?" she fumed. "Meowth, I told you to make sure she wouldn't be able to find us!"



"Yeah, well da whole plan ain't woikin' out like we want it to! We better get outta here before she--"

And then sounded that ever-annoying Southern-accented voice. "Jaaaaaaaames! Oh my Jamesy dear, where's y'all hidin'!?" Jessebelle came speeding up. She spotted James and literally threw herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh, my darlin' James! I thought I'd neva find ya!"

James pushed her off and choked numerous times. "Are you trying to kill me!?" he shouted.

"Oh honey, we neva got to finish the--" Jessebelle paused as she noticed Jessie. "Oh, you're here, too."

"Yeah, aren't we lucky?" Jessie growled sardonically.

"It wasn't very ladylike of ya to ruin my gorgeous weddin'."

"He doesn't love you!"

"Listen, sweetheart. He's not yours anymore. We're married, ya know."

James butted in. "That's not true, Jessebelle! We didn't finish our vows, so we can't be married!"

Jessebelle simply laughed and waved a hand. "Oh baby, it's all the same!"

"It's over, Jessebelle," Jessie said. "You and James aren't married. Why don't you just go back to your own mansion and make all of our lives a little easier?"

"Don't think I'm gonna be defeated that easily, Rocket girl."

"I wouldn't talk if I were you!"

Jessebelle suddenly clapped her hands together. "I have an idea! Why don't we solve our little argument with a Pokemon battle?"

For a second, Jessie hesitated. "What exactly will a battle prove?"

"Nothin' really. It's just that whoever wins gets to keep James."

"Forget about it! I'm not going to partake in something that treats him as a piece of property!"

Jessebelle wasn't unnerved in the least. "Alright. James will stay with me, and if you don't like it, that's just too bad. Don't think I don't have ways of stopping you if y'all try to take him back, neitha."

"Fine…" Jessie replied aversely. "We'll battle."

Jessebelle gave a malicious smile. "May the best woman win."

*

The battle range was a flat, rectangular piece of land out of view from the main estate. James and Meowth sat on the sidelines while Jessie and Jessebelle positioned themselves on opposite ends of the field.

"Y'all ready?" Jessebelle asked in a cocky tone.

"Of course I am," Jessie snarled.

Meowth called out from the sidelines. "Yeah! Cat fight!" he exclaimed. "I got 20 bucks on da redhead!"

"We'll both use whateva Pokemon we have," Jessebelle explained.

"Fine with me," Jessie answered. "You only have one Pokemon, anyway."

Jessebelle narrowed her eyes and gave a smile. "I wouldn't be so sure 'bout that."

Jessie reached for Arbok's Pokeball. "Alright, Arbok--" But as usual, Wobbuffet popped out of its Pokeball and onto the field. "Wobbuffet!!" Jessie screamed. "How many times do I…" She sighed. "Just get out there and battle…."

Jessebelle laughed hysterically. "Oh, poor Jessie! Ya can't even control ya own Pokemon!"

Wobbuffet grinned dumbly and saluted. "Wabba wab!"

Presenting a Pokeball, Jessebelle said, "This ain't gonna take very long. Go, Vileplume!" The Flower Pokemon burst onto the field and gave a cry. "Let's end this quick," Jessebelle ordered. "Use Stun Spore!"

Jessie reacted with confidence. "Bad move. Wobbuffet, protect yourself with Safeguard!" As expected, Wobbuffet formed a white veil in front of itself. The Stun Spore had no effect.

Jessebelle nodded. "Not bad. But how will y'all deal with Petal Dance?" Vileplume produced a torrent of razor-sharp flower petals and fired them directly toward Wobbuffet.

"Wobbuffet, quick!" Jessie commanded. "Use Mirror Coat!" The Petal Dance ricocheted off Wobbuffet and headed straight back for Vileplume, striking it with more than double the original force. Unable to withstand the brutal counterattack, Vileplume fainted.

Jessebelle ran up to her wounded Pokemon. "Oh, my precious Vileplume! Don't worry, darlin'. You don't have to battle no more."

Overjoyed from ending her losing streak, Jessie threw her arms around Wobbuffet, cursing him lovingly. "Wobbuffet, you stupid, stupid blue blob! We finally won!"

Wobbuffet rocked back and forth, enjoying her gratitude. "Wabba wabba wabba waaab!"

Meowth and James were applauding Jessie from the sidelines. "Dat was pretty impressive!" Meowth commented. "I didn't know dat Jessie knew how Wobbuffet's other moves would affect her opponent's Pokemon. She usually only uses Counter."

James smiled.

After returning Vileplume back to its Pokeball, Jessebelle asked, "Y'all ready for the next round?"

A puzzled look came over Jessie's face. "You only have Vileplume… don't you?"

"Y'all didn't see this Pokemon the last time you were here," Jessebelle announced. "Now you've got the privilege! Let me introduce… Ursaring!"

Jessebelle released another Pokeball. It hit the ground and opened, revealing a massive Ursaring standing well over seven feet tall and weighing an estimated 900 pounds, probably even more. Its front paws were around 20 inches wide each, and its colossal head was larger than Wobbuffet's entire body. It didn't exactly sport a happy face, either.

James' face exhibited the pallor of a ghost, and his body was completely rigid. "Teddiursa…" he stammered, "evolved!"

Meowth was also in a state of shock. "Since when has Jessebelle had dat Pokemon!?"

"So, Jessie," Jessebelle asked, "do you want to give up now or have your Pokemon suffer a quick and humiliating defeat?"

Jessie was frightened but not disheartened. "I'm not giving up…."

"Alright, then! Ursaring, finish that Wobbuffet with Fury Swipes!"

Jessie had to act fast. "Wobbuffet, use Counter!" Wobbuffet attempted to Counter but could not endure Ursaring's relentless attack. After Ursaring swiped it for a third time, Wobbuffet fell back and fainted. Jessie cursed under her breath. She recalled Wobbuffet and released Arbok. "Use Poison Sting!"

"Keep goin', my teddy bear!" Jessebelle cheered.

Ursaring dodged Arbok's attack without much effort. All it took was one Fury Swipe.

"Dammit!" Jessie screamed. She cautiously approached her injured Arbok, finding a deep, bloody gash where Ursaring had slashed it. "Arbok…" Jessie felt her throat tightening. She recalled Arbok and faced Jessebelle. "I have… no more Pokemon…."

Meowth and James watched helplessly.

Suddenly, an acute howl sounded from the distance. A Pokemon raced up and dashed onto the battle range in front of Jessie. It was none other than James' loyal Growly.

Meowth shrunk back a little, but James leaned forward, happy to see his old friend again. "Growly!"

The Puppy Pokemon faced James and yelped blissfully.

"Oooooooh," Jessebelle squealed, "now how did you get outta your doggyhouse!?"

Growly whirled around and gave an irate snarl.

James called out to Jessie. "Jessie, Growly wants to battle for you!"

"But that ain't fair!" Jessebelle cried. "It ain't even her own Pokemon!"

"All's fair in love, war, and Pokemon battles!" Jessie retorted. "And not only is this a Pokemon battle, it's war! Go, Growly!"

Without even having to be told what attack to use, Growly blasted Jessebelle's Ursaring with a red-hot Flamethrower. The Ursaring staggered back a little, but otherwise seemed to be unharmed from the assault. Growly still continued to attack it, avoiding an assiduous barrage of Fury Swipes. However, the mighty Ursaring seemed to be invincible to pain.

Jessebelle finally had enough. "Ursaring, finish that ill-bred mutt! Use Slash!"

The immense Ursaring contracted its right arm and thrust it toward Growly with tremendous speed and accuracy, thrashing the Puppy Pokemon's underbelly and hurling it outside the battle range. Growly landed painfully on the ground, unable to move. Everyone cringed at the grotesque sight… everyone but Jessebelle and her Ursaring.

"Forget 'bout that damn mongrel, Ursaring," Jessebelle said in a malevolent tone. "Make sure Jessie neva crosses our path again! Use Hyper Beam!!"

Jessie, now slumped on the ground, saw Ursaring readying its attack. Paralyzed with fear, she couldn't bring herself to move out of the way. She could only watch the glaring white beam rush toward her.