Follow up note from last week: I have decided to keep posting here. It just makes sense, given I'm right in the middle of this story and so many have this link. It's up to anyone where they want to read/post, so of course, stay where you prefer, but I still personally recommend AO3/archiveofourown for fanfiction in the current era. Know I'll be there if anything happens here - username VoyagerWisp (no spaces).
Story note: This chapter replaces episode 48 in concentrating on James's backstory. Earlier update than usual due to the holiday.
38: James vs. Gentleman Thomas
The young boy shouted out in delight as his father crossed their large lawn with the familiar creature on a leash in tote. It looked somewhat like the dog he'd seen the other day, but at the same time, not alike at all. Even panting cutely like a puppy, this creature had stripes like a tiger, perhaps a mane like a lion. Becoming familiar with these animals, James was starting to easily recognize his family's pet that he had nicknamed Growlie was unmistakably a unique sort of creature.
James ran to his father as he closed the gate, hugging him. Growlie woofed in greeting, and James petted its warm coat as well. After exchanging pleasantries with his father, James decided to ask the question. "Father, isn't Growlie a pokemon?"
His father nodded. "That's correct, James. However, you should know that Growlithe isn't the same as the rest of the monsters. It's exceptionally well-trained by a professional breeder. That's what makes it so well behaved, and such an excellent companion."
James wasn't listening much after the affirmation, just hugged his friend. Growlie licked him in the face before calling out, and James laughed. So Growlie was a pokemon? The fact made James curious. "Father, may I stay out and play with Growlie?" he requested, looking up at the man hopefully.
"Certainly!" his father boomed. "Growlithe is a healthy pokemon that needs exercise. It'll be good for you to take on that responsibility."
Even before his father finished speaking, James ran out across the lawn, finding a stick and throwing it. He laughed as the pokemon returned it. They threw the object back and forth a few more times before James decided to ask a question. "Growlie, are you fire type?"
"Growlithe!" the pokemon called in affirmation.
James grinned. "Then can you... use a fire attack? Just show me," he requested expectantly.
"Growlithe!" Growlithe called. It stepped back, then spit a tiny flame into the air. The blazing spark dissipated before touching anything.
James cheered in delight at the show that had been shared with him, then hugged Growlie even tighter than before. So his family's pet was a real pokemon, with him. Of course, Growlie was already beyond adorable and appreciated just for its affection. But the idea it could also fight with cool, powerful attacks like the pokemon he'd seen on TV was exciting. His parents often spoke ill of pokemon, but how could they, knowing their own growlithe was so friendly? Other pokemon had to be the same, James suspected. Even so, knowing how his parents hated such things, James was sure not to ask Growlie to repeat the attack technique, and not wanting to get his pokemon scolded for having followed through with James's request.
Playing outside with Growlithe with the excuse of following through with responsibilities became a sort of respite as the years went on. Instead of going to a formal comp-ed school, his parents insisted he be tutored at home, under their and hired professional's supervision. Staying inside was so boring. The life of a pokemon trainer, on the road, catching and making friends with more of the creatures and then testing their skill in battle seemed so exciting. That was the life James badly wanted when he was old enough. He even made the mistake of sharing it with his parents one day when asked what he'd like to do.
That was met with backlash, James being immediately shut down for how uncouth having monsters battle against each other seemed to his parents, and would seem to others. Growlithe was a good pokemon, wouldn't fight like that, and James shouldn't interact with any pokemon that would. He should just give up on his dream of being a trainer, or so he was told.
But he didn't. Thoughts of going on the open road and acquiring pokemon, being outside and active every day with exciting battles, often entered his mind. He'd get to know his own pokemon, what kind? Maybe Growlie wouldn't like to battle, he could have another fire-type, maybe vulpix, on his team. Charmander were also nice, as were the rest of the pokemon designating as good starting ones. James was particularly fond of the mysterious bulbasaur, though the active, quick though turtle-like squirtle may also be fun to train. Eevee had a variety of evolutions to choose from, each easily obtained with the correct evolution stone. Pikachu had only one evolution but was definitely one of the cutest species. James wouldn't mind training any of them.
"James, where are you looking?"
James glanced from the window and across the table at his current company. He had been spending time with Jessebelle, a girl his age that he'd been told he'd been told he'd marry when he was older. Because of that, they were spending more and more time together, outside with the good weather while studying that day. He shook his head and smiled as he looked to the book he'd been supposed to be reading, his face turning hot. Had he really messed up again in front of the sweet, delicate girl who happily said she'd be his wife one day? He'd like her so much when they'd first met, but the shame of not being able to appear worthy of her marred many of their interactions since. James forced his eyes to move across the lines of text. He'd concentrate better, and not embarrass himself, nor his parents.
When they broke for lunch, they went outside. James shouted out in excitement as he saw the girl take an object from her bag. "Excuse me," he said politely, trying to correct himself as he realized he had certainly been a little boorish. "Is that a pokeball?"
Jessebelle nodded. "I know I haven't brought my pokemon before, but I did today. It misses me ever so much when I'm gone."
"May I see it?" James asked, trying not to seem too excited, though he certainly was.
"You will. I'm just about to let my darling out for a breath of fresh air," Jessebelle informed. James bit his lip and smiled, waiting patiently as he wondered what kind of pokemon it would be. "Go, Oddish!" Jessebelle shouted, throwing out the pokeball.
"Oddish!" Oddish called as it appeared.
"How cute!" James exclaimed. He almost leaned down and patted its head, but wasn't sure where he might with the large tuft of leaves puffing in all directions. "Nice to meet you, Oddish!" James said.
"Oddish!" Oddish called out cheerfully in return.
"Isn't it just so sweet and refined?" Jessebelle said.
"Certainly," James agreed, then caught sight of some movement from across the yard.
"Growlithe! Growlithe!" Growlie called as it ran over. It approached Oddish stiffly, giving the other pokemon a sniff. Detecting no threat, it stood next to James, panting happily.
"That's right, Growlie, it's another pokemon. Jessebelle's pokemon," James informed.
"It's just as refined as yours, I assure you, James," Jessebelle said.
"It looks lovely," James commented. He peered away, unsure if he should ask the first question on his mind. Eventually, his eagerness for anything to do with training or battling pokemon won out. "Perhaps Growlie and Oddish could battle," he suggested.
"Alright," Jessebelle agreed with a smile.
James ran onto the lawn, going to the far side so that there would be plenty of room for the pokemon to perform any techniques. Though not having done any battling before, he knew well about the rules. Safety information for dealing with pokemon and pokemon battles was basic knowledge for children in Kanto. James waited for Jessebelle to direct her own pokemon to signal the official start of the battle. As Oddish hopped in the area at an appropriate distance in front of her, she did so. "Oddish, absorb!"
"Growlie, ember!" James directed the pokemon to perform the technique they'd practiced in secret. James had thought he'd only been playing at being a trainer when they'd done so, but now here he was, in a real pokemon battle, which felt exhilarating. Oddish moved first, a visible energy traveling to Growlie before moving back to Oddish itself. Growlithe spit out its puff of fire, hitting Oddish just after the green energy returned to it.
"Oddish!" Oddish cried, falling off its feet and looking to the ground.
"You did it, Growlie!" James exclaimed, running to hug his pokemon friend. He then stood straight, recalling decorum as a pokemon trainer, and competitor in general. He walked across the field, seeing Oddish already picking itself up. Of course, being the type of tough creature a pokemon was, it was fine. He'd been eager to battle, but maybe he shouldn't have. Though Growlie likely didn't have any battle experience the same as Oddish, it did overpower the grass type as a fire type.
Even so, the battle had occurred. James offered a handshake to Jessebelle. "Thank you for the battle," he said.
Jessebelle slapped away his hand. James stood in shock, not having realized before just how upset his betrothed was. As he tried to think of how to respond, she slapped him across the face. James flinched and stepped away, falling backward on the grass. Jessebelle raised her hand, James put his hand up as he cowered, then noticed her smirk in satisfaction. She stepped forward, likely to hit him again.
"Growlithe! Growlithe!" Growlie called warningly as it ran between the two of them. "Growlithe!" it barked again, then growled at Jessebelle.
"Oddish!" Oddish jumped forward, then calling out several times its own warning. Jessebelle stepped away, then ran off without a word. Oddish hopped after her.
James stood up as he saw her return her pokemon to its pokeball before entering the house. He patted Growlie with a trembling hand. The pokemon panted and nuzzled against him, completely calm, though James himself was still shaken up. What he'd just seen from Jessebelle was at odds with his previous image of her. What had happened? Why had the girl he'd been told would love him act like this? Had he done something so wrong? That could have been the case.
"Growlithe!" Growlie called, nudging a ball on the ground. James decided to forget about what had just happened, and play with Growlie. James picked up the ball and threw it. At first Growlie caught it, then James had it practice its 'bite' technique. The pokemon eventually bit the ball into several pieces, looking at it with a sorrowful expression.
"It's alright," James assured, though he knew his parents may not agree. Growlie was supposed to be their family's pet, not a battling pokemon, and certainly not one that destroyed objects like this. He picked up the pieces and held them close as he went inside. He found the trash bag, about to be taken out by one of their servants, and quickly put the remnants of the ball at the bottom.
"James, there you are." James jumped up in surprise at the man's harsh voice. "Jessebelle decided to leave. She was truly upset," his father informed.
"Oh." James was feeling rather upset about the altercation himself. He was glad she'd left, though of course he didn't say so. He sighed with relief at the girl's absence.
"What were you thinking?" James's father's shouts broke him out of the momentary calm. Hearing the harsh tone of the man's voice and seeing his glare, James found himself unable to respond. "Forcing your fiancée to fight monsters... What made you think that's something a civil girl like her would be interested in at all?" James's mouth opened wide at the accusation, feeling all the worse as his father shook his head. He'd thought Jessebelle had agreed rather easily to the battle, even seeming beforehand that she might like the idea. Had she been so opposed? "And think of Growlithe as well. It has pride as a well-bred monster that doesn't engage in such activities. Yet, you led it to participate in such a violent, undignified exchange."
Growlie had seemed just as eager to battle and use various techniques as James was to see them, but he could have been mistaken. It had seemed upset upon ruining that ball. Maybe James should stop having Growlie practice any techniques at all. "I'm sorry," James spoke with honest remorse.
"As you should be!" his father shouted. "Do you realize how much you've hurt that girl? You'll have to make it up to her. And no more of this monster, pokemon battling nonsense. Hearing you obsess over that is shameful to our family. It shows a shocking, undignified lack of discipline. Don't ever speak of it again. Give up that idea."
"No." Despite how upset he was at the current altercation, James spoke firmly and met eyes with his father. Even seeing the man turn and glare at him in anger, James didn't flinch.
"After all of that, you're refusing now?"
James nodded. "If Growlie doesn't want to battle, that's fine. I won't ask Jessebelle again either. But I'm going to be a trainer," he declared firmly.
His father just shook his head in response. "Do you plan to go running around like those ruffian traveling trainers?"
"Traveling trainer... That's what I want-"
"Enough!" James's father's booming voice interrupted him. "You think a refined girl like Jessebelle, who will certainly grow up to be a classy woman, will accept that? You'll hardly be a good husband for her, nor anyone else, acting like that."
"Then I won't marry her." The declaration was a relief more than anything else. As he'd been playing with Growlie, James had thought over the idea. That day had certainly been the tipping point, but he'd slowly been getting to know Jessebelle over time, and seen signs of what had happened just that day before. Jessebelle would try to control him, sometimes to help him do better, like that day when he should have been concentrating on his studying, but also in little ways. She often ignored things he said, then derided him when he'd said something she'd disliked. She'd laughed when he'd been scolded or laughed at by others. And of course, that day she'd slapped him twice. It hadn't hurt so much, but her taking seeming pleasure at his resulting confusion, pain, and fear was disturbing.
But James didn't have to think about that anymore. Jessebelle possibly wasn't a nice person, at least not being who he'd thought, but it turned out he wouldn't make a good husband for her after all. If not for anyone, so maybe he just wouldn't get married. The idea of doing so had never seemed that important to him. After all, he had a dream, a path he wanted to pursue, and he wasn't about to let anything else interfere. Certainly, a person like Jessebelle wouldn't be allowed to have any kind of control over his path. He'd just move on, and so could she.
It turned out no one in James's life agreed with his obvious conclusion.
Being berated over and over to continue to stay in the boring house studying was a regular occurrence. As was being told to forget all about the exciting, appealing world of pokemon. Though James really didn't want to, that seemed to be becoming the reality as he concentrated on other things. He tried to do what was necessary to please his parents, and even the fiancée that had been chosen for him, and saw his own dream falling further and further away for things that didn't even matter to him. The night after Jessebelle spent nearly an hour rebuking how he'd held his spoon, James ran away.
From there, he spent a while in various different places, unsure what to do. Just running from what seemed a daunting situation wasn't enough for James to find what he actually wanted. The time was mostly spent decompressing, while dealing with living without the comforts he'd become accustomed to. After being retrieved, his parents expressed their upset, but then seemed to actually try and speak to him. "Why is it you decided to get away from our home, James?" his father asked openly.
There were so many reasons, so many aspects of his home life that were unsatisfying or even unbearable that James could talk about. But the question along with the pace of the conversation seemed to demand a concise, to the point conclusion. "I wanted to be a trainer," James decided to say, expressing what didn't really cover all of his problems, but ultimately described what he'd felt was holding him back.
His parents exchanged glances. After a pointed silence, his father finally spoke. "There are more cultivated ways to go about that than running away and roving around the wilderness of Kanto," he said.
James looked up, at first stunned, and then exhilarated at the implications. Did his father really mean that he would allow James to pursue the dream life as a pokemon trainer, just on a different path than standard? James sat up and listened as his father continued, describing a school that some members of the family, children of their friends had gone to. Graduates of Pokemon Tech were welcomed to elite gatherings of trainers, allowed to compete in the league, and may even become elite trainers themselves if they ranked highly enough at said league.
"It's not at all easy," James's father warned after the detailed explanation. "You'd have to be willing to completely dedicate yourself to your studies, which we all know has been an issue for you. Would you really be willing to do what it takes?"
"Yes," James answered seriously, and quite honestly. He did hate studying, but anything was worth it to become a trainer. Of course, the ruffian trainer lifestyle his parents turned their nose up at seemed the most appealing. But going the path of Pokemon Tech, it seemed he'd not only have a life with pokemon, but also get to please his parents, something he continually failed at. If he could be both the good son and a pokemon trainer, there was no way he'd hesitate in going to this school. James got ready to go to the boarding school with stars in his eyes.
It was too bad he failed there too. Studying was even more difficult than he had imagined, and James was called into the office to be lectured by the staff, his father often present. The older man expressed his disappointment one day. "Look at how you've presented yourself here. Are you sure training pokemon is what you really desire?"
"Yes!" James insisted, in his passion and upset unable to completely elaborate on that.
"That isn't what you're showing. Maybe you don't really want it as badly as you tell me, or even tell yourself. That's something to reflect on, isn't it?"
The expressed idea instilled a sort of doubt in James's heart, which caused some depression as James tried to return to his studies. But he really did want to pass, please his parents, get pokemon of his own to train. As he thought about the frustrating situation, tears came to his eyes, blurring his view of the words on the pages.
"Hey!" Jessie, his study buddy classmate, maybe even first friend, spoke loudly to get his attention. As James wiped his eyes and looked her way, she smirked at him. "You're going to let me beat you again, aren't you?"
James swallowed before speaking. "Yes," he admitted. "You've already won." His voice broke as he was on the verge of tears. He'd likely fail this test, fail himself, fail his parents, never get to be a pokemon trainer.
"Come on," Jessie chided. "It's no help to me if you aren't even a challenge."
"I'm sorry," James said, swallowing again as he tried unsuccessfully to force a smile. "There's something in my eyes, but I want to study more. I can't read, but maybe we could quiz each other?"
"Well, if you really need the help, I guess I'll have to," Jessie said.
As Jessie asked him questions, the two of them making up acronyms and puns to help them recall the information, James started to cheer up, thinking he could really remember it all and score well. "You're the same as me, right?" Jessie said, clenching her fist after they had decided to end their session for the day. "You want this more than anything. Don't let being sad because it's hard hold you back! We're going to be the most famous and fabulous of all of the elite trainers, after all."
James nodded and smiled at her encouragement. Jessie had really helped, both with her current words and keeping him on task. He leaned on her too much, relying on her during his studies. And then, of course, he failed anyway, likely having held back Jessie as well.
With that failure, James had to return home. Had he really just not wanted to be a pokemon trainer? Was that why he had failed, even with all of the effort he'd put in? Was his father right, were the desires he held in his own heart just false? James didn't want to think so, but felt so defeated as he left the school. He tried to be successful at anything to feel better, but continued to be constantly criticized for various shortcomings and failures, by both his parents and fiancée. Was he just not worthy of anything else?
One day they got a visitor. Though it had been years, James recognized him as one of the administrators of Pokemon Tech. Seeing his face ignited various regrets, so James shied away from socializing with him, not that he'd been invited. His father just sat around near the entrance, talking animatedly.
James did end up at the top of the staircase later, knowing it was close to dinner. Thankfully, the visitor was at the door, his father wrapping up their conversation. "By the way, I must thank you for your help those years ago," he said.
James winced. So he'd only been accepted to the school because his father had asked on his behalf. That had been a waste for everyone, hadn't it?
"I was glad to help," the man replied.
"It was really necessary. My son had to learn that type of life wasn't really suited to him."
James felt like crying as all of the disappointment came back, and almost ran away, but then heard the next sentence. "Oh no, he may well have exceeded."
The seeming praise was confusing, especially given the man that had spoken it had lectured James personally, but the continued conversation was shocking.
"I really do believe in what I'm doing there, and my students. Various events had me thinking yours may have done well in the battle circuit if given a chance. I did feel some pause at how harshly we judged his answers."
"It's for the best. I'll thank you again for helping teach him an important lesson."
James hardly heard the rest of the inane conversation before he did run away, actually starting to cry this time. When he'd calmed himself, he realized just how much he hated it at home, and that his desire to train pokemon was not only genuine, but still present to that day. Meanwhile what his parents wanted for his life James didn't want at all. He truly hated it all.
But without them, he'd have to make his own way in the world. They weren't willing to support him, in this dream or even another that was outside their rigid vision. He'd lose all the comforts, likely even be without shelter to start, just like when he'd run away before. He could also go hungry, be hurt, or worse. Was he willing to go out into the world on his own even with these possibilities?
He absolutely was.
James composed himself with this decision. He went and had dinner with his parents, much more cheerful than he had been in recent years. He made extra sure to follow all of their rules, acting the part they wanted with grace. Despite everything, after having raised him so dutifully and given him so much, they deserved this much as his farewell.
A few nights later, he left for good.
Before they could return to base, they had to get off Cinnabar Island. Meowth pored through the options at port, choosing the option of a luxury tour. It ferried around several locations, including other islands and Vermilion's port. Meowth showed Jessie and James the pamphlet, which featured various attractions, including the gourmet menu, the posh seating, live music performances, and various views they'd seen.
"We can't afford this," Jessie said. Though the price wasn't even listed, it was sure to be more than the meager funds they had left.
"Likely not," James agreed.
"Well, of course we're not paying! We'll stow away!" Meowth insisted.
"Don't you think we'd get away with that easier on a different ride?" Jessie asked. "Maybe one that takes us closer to where we want to be, faster," she added after a groan.
"Listen up, look here," Meowth flipped the pamphlet over to show the section on accommodations for pokemon. "This little cruise is for rich people, and they've got pokemon! We can nab some, then jump overboard and tail it to shore. We'll figure out how to get back to base from there."
"Makes sense," James said with a nod, picking up the paper and studying it closely. "Right now, we only have the one pokemon from that lab. More would be better."
"I guess you'll also plan for our escape?" Jessie asked, looking down at Meowth.
"Of course! We've got a day or two. You two will have to be ready to work, though."
Of course they were, as usual. They got the supplies ready, then snuck on the ship as it docked. On board, it was easy to find the supplies room and disguise themselves with extra staff uniforms. From there, they stayed hidden away until the ship started to move. Hearing no one nearby, they finally left their hiding place. Meowth walked with its human teammates, hopefully not too conspicuous on the pokemon-friendly fare, though it had insisted on carrying a bag with their 'prizes for the boss', which may catch some spectator's eyes.
In any case, acting like they belonged was the best way to fit in. Jessie and James stayed away from the patrons, looking briefly from room to room for what they sought. Eventually, they saw the pokeballs through a door's window. "Have you got it?" Meowth asked from the ground as it saw their smiles.
"That's what it seems," James asked, lifting the pokemon up to see. They heard footsteps, then went to hide. Some actual staff entered the room carrying more pokeballs, chatting amongst themselves. From inside, the rocket group could hear more human chatter, and eventually various pokemon calls, before the staff eventually exited again, too caught up in their own conversations to notice the unfamiliar group walking out of the supply closet.
"Should we take them now?" Jessie asked, intently staring at the increased pile of pokeballs.
"I heard them talking about getting more. We should wait!" Meowth said.
"But they'll eventually take these back to their trainers," James pointed out.
"They're rotating a group through, then?" Jessie said, again looking to Meowth.
"When's the best time to take some, considering the need to escape?" James also sought an answer from their pokemon friend.
"We've got a little time," Meowth informed.
"Wait, we could look around and see who has the best pokemon, then wait until theirs go in," Jessie suggested.
"Ooo! Great idea!" James exclaimed.
Caught up in conversation, the rockets didn't notice the figure behind them. Eventually, the man cleared his throat. Slowly, the group turned around, seeing an older man standing close enough to have certainly heard their previous scheming. "Hello, sir!" Jessie immediately began with the cover up. "How can we help you? Are you in need of anything? Are you enjoying the sights? Would you like a beverage? Perhaps your pokemon would enjoy one of our treatments," she spat forth a barrage of questions to hopefully erase what he might have heard from his mind.
"I'm perfectly well, thank you," the man answered. "I did think my pokemon might benefit from your services, but right now, there's something more pressing."
James stared forward, swallowing nervously, frozen to say anything. Of course he recognized this man. There was no way the man didn't recognize him, either. Yet the older man seemed to be playing like he didn't. What was he planning to do?
"Thank you for choosing to voyage with us. What was it you needed, Mr., um-" Jessie began.
"Thomas," the man introduced himself.
"Yes! Mr. Thomas. Maybe you wanted to know the way to the bathroom?" Jessie suggested.
The man smirked, shaking his head. He adjusted his hat, turning and looking out the nearby window. "Oh, no... You see, I thought I may have seen my son on board," he explained.
"What does he look like?" Jessie asked.
The man sighed, looking downcast. "Oh... It's been so many years, the memory of his face is starting to fade. Sometimes I think I see him, here and there. Even in pictures in the newspaper, though of course the person pictured is engaged in activities no son of mine would be."
James flinched at the last sentence, catching brief attention from his teammates until they turned back to the patron.
"So it's all in my mind, you see," the man continued. "As far as I know. I'm just so hopeful to see him, I find signs of him everywhere, only to disappoint myself. You see, I'm not getting any younger, and I desperately want to spend time with him in my older years."
James swallowed, feeling some kind of remorse. Was this speech a way of expressing a desire for reconciliation? Was that why James wasn't being lectured or berated and the real staff wasn't being hailed to deal with them? Though the interaction may be difficult, perhaps James should give an effort. It wasn't as if James had really wanted to shun this person. He'd just thought he couldn't be himself and walk his own path without having done so.
"Too bad," Jessie said, becoming short with Thomas's rambling. "If you don't remember what he looks like, we can't help look for him, can we?"
The man took off his hat, closing his eyes as he looked downward. "Yes... It's been especially difficult this year, when my wife passed away."
"What?" James yelped, causing the bored Jessie and Meowth to again turn attention to him.
Thomas nodded, sighing again, his eyes still closed. "Yes. She cried for him her last breath. And now she's left her half of our wealth to him, to be given to him immediately, if only I can find him."
James's heart rate slowed, only to increase again with anger as the full realization that this person was lying set in. Was James expected to believe the lie and fall for this kind of manipulation? How could this person say such an upsetting thing after seeming like he really wanted to just have some interaction? James stepped forward before jostling the older man's shoulder to get his attention. "Excuse me, sir," he said firmly. "Perhaps you don't remember me, but we've met, years ago. You're confused. Your wife is alive, it's your son that's dead."
"James?" Jessie spoke in surprise.
"You know him?" Meowth muttered, hiding behind James's leg.
"Hmph." James narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I know him. He's even more demented now than before. Ignore anything he says, it's likely not accurate. We can just go about our plans, since it seems he's so far from reality that he'll forget where he is in a moment."
"Are you sure?" Jessie asked, glancing from Thomas to James and back again.
"Well, actually," Thomas began. "I do recognize you all from the papers, now that I think about it. You're the imitators of Team Rocket, aren't you? You're becoming more and more notable for your criminal acts. Since you're right by an area full of unattended pokemon, I assume you're trying to steal them."
Jessie and Meowth shouted out in shock. "He's caught us! He sees right through our stealth!" Meowth exclaimed.
"Doesn't seem that confused to me," Jessie commented, taking a pokeball in hand. "But we can take on one old man."
"Right," James agreed, getting out his own pokeball. "Go, Weepinbell!"
"Go, Ekans!"
After the rockets threw out their pokeballs, releasing their pokemon, Thomas took out his own pokeball. "Would you really gang up together to use these monsters to threaten one person? How barbaric."
"You think so?" Jessie began. "Well, you're right about us and what we are. Just stay out of our way!"
"It seems I'll have to engage in a violent show like this to protect myself. Go, Growlithe."
"Gro!" The growlithe howled as it appeared. Its eyes opened wide as it peered forward, then dashed past the offending pokemon, heading for James.
"A human attack pokemon?" Meowth wondered, putting its paws up in fright. But instead of attacking James, Growlithe hopped up, circled around him, and then licked his hand. "So you know this pokemon too?" Meowth asked.
James petted Thomas's pokemon, smiling before he pursed his lips. "I'm glad you're happy to see me, Growlithe. But perhaps you should follow your master's orders for now."
"Huh? Why?" Jessie said as the growlithe went back in front of Thomas, panting as it waited in anticipation of what might be next.
"So you're determined to have this battle?" Thomas asked, narrowing his eyes at the two rockets.
"Not really. Just back off, since you know you can't win," Jessie said, all while backing up herself in anticipation of the coming battle.
"That I won't do. Growlithe, ember attack!"
"Ekans, wrap!" Jessie followed.
James hesitated a moment as the two pokemon completed their attacks. Growlithe's small puff of flame hit both their pokemon in the narrow hall, poor Weepinbell crying out in distress. But Ekans was able to get hold of it, wrapping tightly around the fire type and restricting its movement. The next move was obvious, though it seemed cruel.
But he'd do what was necessary. "Weepinbell, use vine whip!" James ordered.
"Ekans, bite!" Jessie followed. Their two pokemon unleashed their simultaneous attacks at the growlithe, which eventually slumped its head forward.
"Aren't you going to return your pokemon?" James demanded.
"Should I? I'm afraid I don't engage in such violent rituals often," Thomas replied.
"It's knocked out and you're defeated, so of course," Jessie said, holding up her pokeball. "Ekans, return! We've won."
James returned his own pokemon as Thomas approached the growlithe, which still lay on its side. He petted the unconscious pokemon, staring up at James. "Young man, what kind of person are you now?" he asked.
"You should easily be able to see that I'm a villain," James replied.
"Right. I know we're quite lovely and charming, but we're still villains, aren't we?" Jessie said with a giggle.
"I don't care about being a villain or not, as long as we're helping the boss. But we really are, huh?" Meowth said.
"Indeed we are," James continued. "As Team Rocket, we also work against what the mundane consider the natural order of things. We blaze a stunning path of our own across the world without consideration for what anyone says the limit should be, which is certainly evil." He ended his declaration by sweeping his hand in front of himself and then posing with a clenched fist.
Jessie tossed her head with amusement, mirroring James with her own matching pose next to him. "As part of Team Rocket, we're only protecting the world from the devastation of a more limited vision. I don't care if people call us evil."
"Nor do I, Jessie," James said with a smile before giggling to himself. "Contrarily, I happily embrace that description. I'll be the evil villain. Even if others think they know what's best, I believe in my, no, our current ambition." James was sure to meet eyes with the man they'd defeated, even getting nothing in response.
"As do I," Jessie said with a nod. "Now, I think we need to get out before anyone else spots us. James, help me lock him in a room."
James took Thomas's pokeball, returning the growlithe himself before he and Jessie tied the man up, restraining him in the supply closet. They then went into the identified room, putting all the pokeballs they could find in Meowth's 'prizes for the boss' bag. After that, they took a lifeboat, rowing the opposite way of the ship they'd left before attaching the motor they'd prepared and taking off at high speeds. Soon, the tour wasn't even in sight, and they'd certainly made their escape.
Meowth laughed and grinned in victory. "More prizes for the boss! We're in a series of successes!" it declared.
"Our luck had to change some time," Jessie said. "Maybe none of these wins is that fantastic, but we're building ourselves up."
"I think we're doing just fine," James said, staring ahead for the next landmark.
"Fine enough," Jessie said with a shrug. "Hey, why don't you ask the boss for that growlithe? It went right up to you."
"Oh." James tensed, sheepishly touching his head. "I left it with its trainer."
"You did? Why would you do that?" Jessie asked, scowling.
"It seemed wrong to leave that old man without someone to take care of him," James said.
"Pft. I would have just taken it," Jessie muttered, then also getting absorbed in navigating.
Maybe he should have, James considered, before eventually deciding no. The growlithe would take care of them in place of him, and hadn't battled much anyway. Though James was certainly a villain, that pokemon wasn't. Though the old man might be a sort of villain himself, he would be able to take care of it well enough. He hadn't restricted the pokemon the same way he'd restricted, outright locked away and tried to control his son.
Thinking of that as they continued across the mostly flat ocean, James couldn't help but also think of the young boy he'd run across in the facility near Celadon, coming to the conclusion that despite the reactions of others, the situation was ultimately for the best. After all, the seemingly quite affectionate kid was so young that he was very impressionable, easy to control the way James had been before he'd managed to break out of it and run away. But someone, especially someone he decided to trust, could still come and lock him up and lie to him, treat him cruelly and then say that it was fine, trample over anything he wanted to do and say he wanted it that way.
Unlike the man they'd just left behind, James would never do anything like that. Even still questioning his current decisions, James at least knew that much for certain. Forgetting the events of that day, along with the events of years ago, James turned his mind to how they'd reach land, and what else they'd do as part of Team Rocket from there.
End notes: Though a lot of James's past in this universe was covered with Jessie in previous chapters, it was necessary to give him a chapter of his own with more of his own POV. As far as my past works go, Estranged to Engaged is pretty much my James backstory fic, though it's also canon divergence and rocketshippy center stage. Of course, this version is unique to this story, as far as this world, and what James's story as a whole will be. It's not completed yet - look forward to follow ups, for him, and others.
James's father's name comes from the games. "Gentleman" is the rich NPC class that gives a lot of money after being defeated. Gentleman Thomas specifically, named such in FR/LG, is on the SS Anne and indeed has a (well, two) growlithe.
Next chapter: Delia vs. Team Rocket