Free as a Pidgey

He had nearly forgotten how beautiful it was, even thought this was just the mere path up to his parents' grandiose estate. James had trekked all night back to the place where he was lead to believe was "home." Stately trees surrounded a delicate gravel path that wound its way over streaming ponds and luscious grassy fields. The sun was slowly rising, but its few rays gently masked the glorious path. James could just see "home" on the horizon line. Even though it was probably a mile away, it still was enormous and James might even mistake that large speck as Growlie's dog house.

"Growlie…" James said, "I can't wait to see you after all these years. But my parents, on the other hand, they can wait." And with that, James heaved a heavy sigh. He put his hands in his pockets and moved along down the magnificent path. But then, something caught his eye. An orange blur was rapidly moving towards him.

"Growlithe! Growww!"

"Growlie! I'm home!" James exclaimed as an overjoyed Growlithe jumped into James's extended arms. Growlie began licking his master's face. James laughed. This brought him out of his moping demeanor. Since the sunset last night, James was filled with an immense sadness. He left the only woman he had ever loved. That, plus the thought of meeting his overbearing (not to mention uncaring) parents again, caused his depression. But Growlie seemed to wash it away.

"Well, Growlie, we'd better start walking…" James then added, "…to my doom." They set off.

Despite the fact James could not stand his parents and this "high-society" aroma, he knew he had to come "home." Besides there was something he just had to do here, and he would not leave until he accomplished his goal.

Massive, glistening doors stood erect in front of James and Growlie. They were dawning over James, making him feel less and less confident. He waited there for what seemed like an eternity. I don't know if I can do this, James thought. He was about to grab the even massive door knob when the doors flew open, almost hitting James square in the face. Luckily, he dodged it at the last second since he was all too familiar with dodging Jessie's various fans, mallets, and frying pans.

There they were: James's parents, staring in awe at their little boy.

"Oh my! Our little James has finally come home!" And with that, James's mother embraced him. He couldn't remember the last time his mother had hugged him. He almost started to cry. Before James had run away, his mother had only disciplined him in the manner of well, manners and the social elite. This side of his mother was completely new to him.

"Oh James, your mother and I have been worried sick!" And his father came to hug his wife and son.

This was also new. James felt like he had a mother and a father at last. He felt….Loved! This couldn't be another one of their tricks, could it? No. James's parents were being sincere.

"Do you guys really mean it?" James questioned.

"Of course, dearest!" His mother replied, "Your father and I love you more than anything in this whole wide world!" She hugged him closer. They do mean it! James thought. They really do!

For a good ten minutes the family of three (and their loyal Growlithe) sat on the steps in a tight embrace. James was starting to fall asleep; after all, he had walked all night to get home. A yawn escaped him.

"Well, it looks like the boy is tired dear," James's father said.

"Darling, why don't you just go on upstairs to your room and take a well-deserved nap?" His mother replied. (A/N: I hope you all are reading this in James's parents' country voices! XP)

James walked up that familiar marble staircase and after a long time searching through the never-ending hallways, he finally found his room. He went straight to his bed, plopped on it, and drifted into deep sleep (even though the bed was still a child's bed, which barely left much leg room).

Sun was peering into James's room, a ray hitting his closed eyes, causing him to awaken. He waltzed over to the window and pulled the curtains back all the way. It was actually sunset.

"Jessie…" A tear rolled down James's face. He felt a tugging at his pants leg. It was Growlie. James wiped his tears away with his sleeve and then bent down to pet his friend. "Thanks for always being there for me, Growlie." And with that, James heard a knock at the door. It was the butler, Hopkins.

"Sir! Good to see you back!" Hopkins bellowed and gave James a firm handshake. "Your parents would like me to inform you that dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." He left with a bow. James closed the door and then turned to Growlie.

"You must be wondering why I'm home."

"Growlithe." Yes, he indeed was curious.

"Well, here goes: I have basically come back to make amends with my parents." He paused, biting his lip.

"Growl?" Growlie was confused. It was completely out of James's character to come home, especially being on the run for over ten years, just to face his overbearing parents (not to mention the possibility of being forced into marriage like the last time he came home).

"Yes. Odd, isn't it? Well, Team Rocket has ended so you could say my freedom has ended; there's no point for me being on the road anymore. But more than that, I feel the need to finally stand up to my parents….and…and to Jessiebelle." His lip was bleeding after that last remark.

"Yes. I hadn't forgotten about her. You could say that is more of the reason that I am here. I refuse to marry the likes of her." James wiped his lip. "Well, I guess we better go to dinner, I'm starved."

He went over to the mirror. He was still embellished in his Team Rocket uniform. He needed to change for just that simple red 'R' brought memories back to him. He tried finding clothes. Unfortunately, his room had not changed since he had run away, meaning that everything in James's room was for a tiny little kid, including the clothes!

However, he did find a black tuxedo draped over an armchair that was his exact size. He went over to it and put it on.

"Let's go, Growlie." The two departed for the dining hall.

James had arrived for dinner. The hall was enormous (well, duh, everything on that estate was). A super stretched dining table was in the midst of the hall with surrounding extravagant dining chairs. James's father was at the head, with his wife at his left. He waved to James, motioning James to sit at his right.

The table was set in the finest china money could buy. And the food! (A/N: I don't wanna describe the food-it'll make me too hungry and envious _ just use your imagination, they are rich people…or you could just imagine a Hogwarts Feast! Lol…kay, I'm done.) The curtains were drawn back, allowing the suns last few rays to shine through. After that, the moon's rays would draw in. The grandiose fireplace was lit with a raging fire (all thanks to a fine Ninetails that was curled in the corner of the hall).

James sat down next to his old man. He began Spoinking out.

"My dear, James. It brings great pride and pleasure to have you home," said his father, clasping James on the back.

"Why indeed it does, honey! And we thought that we would have to send one of our servants to Hoenn to go on and fetch you!" His mother added.

"W-what?" James was confounded. What did they mean by fetch him?

"Oh you know what we mean, dear James."

"What are you playing at?" James had stopped eating, his fists were clenched. And just when I thought we were finally getting along! James yelled amidst his thoughts.

"Why my darling, you know," his mother looked to James from across the table. It was a trap! They were faking it, just like last time. Only this time, James had come home before they set up the trap: they were just improvising! Angered seared through James veins.

Just then, a door was creaking open, slowly. And it was none other than the last person James wanted to see right then and there–Jessiebelle! He immediately got up. But not to run as he always did in the past. But to stay and fight!

"NO!" With that, Jessiebelle stopped in her tracks at the door.

"James! Where are your manners?" His father yelled.

"This does it! I am sick and tired of the three of you telling me what to do! Have you ever thought about what I want to do? No! You haven't! Well that's about to change right now! I am no longer your cowardly little boy! I have grown up and matured but you are too blinded by keeping up your family line to see it! I will NOT get married to Jessiebelle! I don't love her, nor will I ever love her! I came here to start over with you guys because believe it or not I still love you! You are my parents, after all, and that won't change. And I'm still your boy, just grown up and ready to make his own decisions for once. And if you don't finally listen to me, I will run away and NEVER come home again!" James fell into his chair. He couldn't believe what he had said. His parents (and Jessiebelle) were in complete shock.

"B-but James….we are betrothed," Jessiebelle pleaded. "We just have to get marr…" But she was cut off.

"Jessiebelle! Leave us!" James's father bellowed.

"No! James and I will be married!" She was adamant.

"Growlie! Take down!" And Growlie took off after Jessiebelle down the estate's gardens. She ran as fast as she could, cursing all the way. James was dumbfounded.

"Oh my Mew! How I've wanted to do that for ages!" Was James's father really saying that?

"Oh my darling James," his mother said. "Your father and I have been waiting for you to grow up! How we have longed for this day since the moment you were born!"

"W-what?" James was too confused. His father took charge:

"Well, you see James. Since you were born, your mother and I wanted you to have the best life we could give you. That of course includes your life after you had grown up. We just wanted to ensure that you would be stable in the future, with a good income and a good family. So we found the best suitor for you–Jessiebelle."

"But she's absolutely horrible!" James said. His mother then spoke:

"Well yes. But we knew she would make you a man. And she did! You finally stood up to her! You are a man now!"

This was just like them: their cruel attempts to make James a better person in their eyes. However, James couldn't help but smile. He had gotten through to them, and now they saw him as him. He had gotten rid of Jessiebelle for good now. He was free. Free as a Pidgey!

However, there was something missing from his new life.