THIS IS A PRESENT FOR KELCIFER, THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND 3
READ HER STORY, IT'S ONE AMAZING PIECE OF ART!

This oneshot is set right after the episode „Pathway to the future" (XY 113)

Pathway to the future – an Epilogue

„The feast is on your wallet, James," Jessie made it plain. James was overwhelmed with feelings to such an extent that he agreed on paying the costs for a jolly night out.

„Where to you want to celebrate your achievement?" he asked her, fishing a handful of Poké-Dollars out of his small sachet. Jessie briefly considered the different activites Glorie City offered. She remembered walking past a giant funfair on the outskirts.

„There's a fair only a few minutes away. They have rollercoasters, ghost trains and shooting galleries. I think this would be a proper place to have some fun," she suggested, giving her partner a wink. James wasn't a big fan of rollecoasters, he felt already queasy at the mere thought of it, but he didn't want to destroy Jessie's exceptionally good mood.
She seemed worry-free, almost high-spirited, which was a rare condition.

„Let's go!" Meowth led his team-mates to the fenced kermis.

It was very well attended, people of all ages romped about the festival ground. Turning in all directions, the trio found themselves enchanted by dazzling lights. Richly coloured flags were spaced around the numerous attractions. Team Rocket could here the familiar fair tunes coming from barrel organs, lively and fast, the bass vibrated through their bodies, they could hear the snatches of conversation around them, the announcements being made and the long, loud screams high up in the sky as the whirling, twirling rides spun people faster and faster. Children queued up to get a funny balloon animal. The staff, dressed like clowns, worked up a sweat, they had to please so many bright faces. James steered clear of the masked employees. He was scared of clowns, he knew that a sad countenance was hiding behind those broad grins and he was convinced that those jesters didn't mean well by the visitors, but that they were up for mischief. Jessie noticed his discomfort and dragged James to the distorting mirrors with relentless determination. Her body was lengthened, she kept turning in circles, admiring herself in one of the illusory mirrors.

„Even warped and twisted, I'm still a true eye candy," she laughed hysterically, looking at herself changing in size and shape. James shook his head and smiled despite himself. It was nice to see Jessie apparently enjoying her time out. She sashayed from mirror to mirror, narcisstically and convinced of her sacrosanct beauty. After a couple of minutes, she decided to try their luck at a shooting gallery. A young lady with dark brown hair and steel-blue eyes presented James with a fake scattergun.

„Let me explain the rules to you: As you can see, there are nine stockpiled cans. You've got exactly three shots to knock them down. Each can has a number at the bottom. Depending on the sum of points, you can choose between a key ring or an oversized soft toy. Good luck!"

James aimed for the centre of the can tower and fired off a shot. He hit more than half of the rusty boxes. Jessie cut a caper. She nudged him with her elbow. „Nice shot, James! I'm really impressed," she purred. James blushed a little, still concentrating on his next moves. He lowered the scattergun and attempted to hit the bottom cans on the shelf. Today was his lucky day. He was able to knock all nine boxes down. The lady behind the counter oinked fretfully and fetched the cardboard box with the prizes.

„Well done," she simpered, visibly annoyed about James' high accuracy. He returned the shotgun and let Jessie pick a soft toy. The magenta-haired woman snatched at a larger-tahn-life-size Pikachu. „At least we've got a consolation gift," she cradled the yellow mouse. „I'm glad you like it," James replied. He laid an arm around his best friend and they walked over to the food stalls.

The smell of roasted almonds and Magenbrot, a sweet glazed biscuit, hot dogs and chips soared in their noses, made their mouths water in anticipation. They observed an elderly lady producing candyfloss in front of a horde of curious children. The kids pressed their noses against the trough, drooling and longingly waiting for their portion. „Would you fancy some spun sugar?" James asked. „You can choose between blue, pink and slimy green candyfloss," he pointed at a gone yellow sign. Jessie nodded and ordered the largest mountain of spun sugar they had ever seen.

„There's enough for everyone," she called Gourgeist and Wobbuffet out of their Pokéballs. James followed suit and released his Inkay. Meowth's paws stuck together, he made a mess, he was covered in tacky sugar. Jessie laughed out loud. „Why are yous laughing? Take a look at yous face," the cat-Pokémon responded, slowly but surely despairing of the glutinous disaster. Jessie swept over her face, her skin felt sticky. James pulled a hanky out of his trouser pocket and wiped the surplus sugar away.

‚I've never seen James being so caring,' Jessie thought, but she didn't want to attach great importance to it. Her eyes fell on the scarlet Ferris wheel in the centre of the funfair. The woman in the booth, using a microphone, tried to entice the guests to an unforgettable adventure, repeating the words over and over again. Team Rocket decided to line up for a ride. The multiple passenger-carrying components were decorated with evolutions of Eevee. Wobbuffet was excitedly jumping up and down. He couldn't wait to squeeze into the first available cabin and rise into the air.

„I'm going to sit next to James," Jessie determined, showed the operator her ticket and sat down into the Vaporeon gondola. The employee lowered the protective bar. Jessie was forced to move closer to her lavender-haired team-mate. She felt a little nervous, not least because of her obvious vertigo. The big wheel began to spin, the cabins jolted. Jessie clinged to the bar. James noticed her uneasiness. The gondola swivelled out. They had reached the highest point, Jessie squinted. „That's fantastic! Look Jessie, what a tremendous overview of Glorie City, the castle, the lights, the colours. Isn't this beautiful?" James was enthusiastic about the terrific view, but Jessie didn't dare to open up her eyes.

„Hey! Is everything okay with you?" he asked her. Jessie was slightly shaking. The gondola was rocking back and forth. „What was that?" she screeched. James smiled at her. „You don't need to be afraid, Jess. Here, take my hand," he reached for her hand and squeezed it gently, interlacing her fingers with his. Jessie was taken by surprise.
„I'm not afraid," she replied, courageously trying to hide her fear of heights. He turned around and gazed deeply into her lapislazuli-blue eyes.

„Jessie, you were amazing. I mean, your showcase-performances were top-notch. The style, the realization, the carefully chosen moves, everything was so ingenious. I admired your public gigs," he blusehd to the roots of his hair. It wasn't easy for James to pay his best friend a compliment, but he decided to overcome his reticence and that he would no longer srive against his feelings for Jessie. His team-mate grinned like a Cheshire cat.
„Ha! I know! I would have really deserved the title ‚Kalos Queen' and," she looked at him with a coquettish expression, rubbing her thumb in his left palm, „your loud cheers could hardly be ignored, you screamed your heart out," she chuckled, but then her face became solemn. The next thing she said required a major effort.

„Thank you," Jessie whispered, attempting at a smile. James was wide-eyed. „Thank you for your support and for having faith in me when noone else did," she concluded. James nodded silently. His heart heart was racing. Should he dare the next step? The atmosphere was pleasant and romantic, it would be the most ideal place and he had nothing to lose - except for a deep and true friendship. James swallowed hard. He leaned out of the passenger car, looking at Meowth right behind them who gave him the sign to take a chance. „I might understand da human language, but I will never comprehend deir trains of thought, why does it take him so long to confess his feelings, everybody knows," Meowth said. His Pokémon-friends agreed.

James turned back and eyed the lady next to him. „Jessie, you should be proud of yourself," with these words his hands reached under her hair below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek, and he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Jessie closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. His lips tasted like strawberries, probably some remains of the spun sugar. They pulled apart and took shaky, shallow breaths. The operator pressed the button that actuated the lever and the Ferris wheel spun further. Jessie leaned back, eventually able to relax and waiting for the solid ground beneath her feet. She and James sat there without saying a word. The gondola came to a halt, the employee wished them a good evening and released Team Rocket and their Pokémon after lifting the protective bar.
Meowth eyed James up and down. The young man gave him the thumbs up sign behind Jessies' back, before laying an arm around her waist.

„Where do you want to go next?" he asked her.

„How about a ghost train? What do you say, James? Are you brave enough to face some
hideous monsters?" she challenged him to a test of courage. James blanched, loosening his necktie. „Why not the fairy-tale-lake? At least, there are not a bunch of people who try to scare you...Why a ghost train?" he wanted to know.

„Hmm, because it's dark in there," Jessie gave him a wink, smiling mischievously.