Character Profile for Rita:

Full Name: Rita Scott

Nicknames: None

Birthdate: January 5, 2016

Age: 17 years

Current Home: Nomad (originally from Unova)

Career: Team Rocket Special Agent

Parents: N and White (aka Hilda/Tōko/Touko) Scott.

Siblings: Lucas (younger brother, age 14) and Mariana (younger sister, age 13).

Other Relatives: N/A

Friends: Annastasia, other members of Team Rocket.

Pokémon: Zorua (main partner), Hydreigon, Zoroark, Gengar, Alolan Marowak, and Golurk.

Appearance: fairly tall (5'7") Pixie-cut blue hair, Brown eyes, and ivory skin. Rita usually wears custom-made Team Rocket uniform. Her Zorua is usually not in her Pokéball, preferring to rest on Rita's shoulder.

Personality: A/ISTP (Ambivert, Sensing, Thinking, and Perspective). Rita is outgoing, flirty, adventurous, and dedicated to her work.

Relationships: Annastasia is her closest friend, but since she spends almost all her time on missions hanging out at Team Rocket headquarters, almost everyone she knows is a Rocket and she doesn't spend much time with 'civilians' that aren't boyfriends/girlfriends. She only knows the other main characters through Annastasia but has never spent much time with any of them before. She warms up to new people easily.

Other interests: singing, partying, dancing, dating, and drama.

Alex sat on the front porch of the enormous estate and gazed off into the distance. His two caretakers, a woman by the name of Linda and a man by the name of Paul, had been showering him with attention from the moment he arrived. They cooked him his favorite foods, let him play in the mud for hours, and they even bought him an enormous Munchlax plushie, which he now hugged tightly as he waited.

"It's getting dark. What time do your parents usually put you to sleep?" Paul asked.

"Really late," the three-year-old replied.

Paul laughed. "Well, it is getting 'really late'."

"Aunt Jessie and Uncle James promised to play."

Alex climbed onto Paul's lap.

"Sometimes the unexpected happens," he told Alex. "They'll be back, but they might have to stay the night. I think we should get ready for bed."

Alex and Paul headed inside. A few moments later there was a knock on the door.

"Surprise!" Jessie, James, Meowth, Lucy, and their Pokémon called out in unison.

"Aunt Jessie and Uncle James!" Alex exclaimed. "I thought you were gone forever!"

"Sorry we had to go away for so long," James said as Alex hugged him tightly. "We had a mission like your parents did."

"Can we play?"

"Tomorrow. Now it's time for sleep."

"I don't wanna."

"We're exhausted," said Meowth. "Tomorra we'll play."

"I need to sleep, Alex, but tomorrow we'll play all day," said James.

"Pinky swear?" Alex asked, holding out his pinky for him to shake.

"Absolutely."

"Ditto," said Jessie and Meowth.

"Me too," said Lucy.

"Wobbuffet."

James carried Alex to the bedroom he used to sleep in when he would visit his grandparents as a small child. He set up an air mattress to sleep on the floor beside him.

"What are you doing?" Jessie yawned as James made the second bed.

"Uncle James is staying with me in my room!" Alex said cheerfully.

"It's a big house. It's scary at night," James yawned back. "So, I'll stay in here with Alex."

"I didn't know you were still afraid of the dark," Jessie laughed. "Okay, well, enjoy."

She was too tired to pinpoint if she felt annoyed that James was so far milking the task she expected to be difficult or proud of him for it. James was never one to deceive her—other people, occasionally—but never her.

"Isn't he precious?" James whispered as Alex got settled under the covers and closed his eyes.

Jessie sighed. Mondo's son was precious. He looked just like his parents, but cuter. He also sounded like them and they both had a feeling that when Alex got older, he'd act like his parents as well.

"Remember when Jocelyn slept in that bed?" James whispered.

"Of course," Jessie responded.

"And we had to sleep with her. But we weren't allowed to fall asleep before her or else she would tickle us awake."

"I'm glad she got over that phase." Jessie knew where he was going with this. "Now that she's too mature for that. Nice, don't you think? Being able to sleep through the night without a little kid waking you up."

James shrugged. "I never really minded."

James sat on the air mattress. Jessie watched him, then Alex, and was about to go when James spoke up:

"I still have a few days to prove it to you."

"James," she sighed, but he kept going.

"I will prove that we would both be happy if we decide to have another baby. So far, I think I'm doing well and that you're just too proud to admit it."

"Well, I don't think that time we spent on the mission should count."

"Fine with me. Add a day, or week, or month. Whatever you need to do."

Jessie made herself comfortable on the bed, still not sure if she would be staying in that room or theirs.

"Maybe I will," she said. "I might have to: Mondo and Duplica hinted that they're going to be longer than expected. We might have him for a whole extra week, maybe longer. Giovanni's always vague on those things."

"You're not bothered by it, are you?" James asked.

"No. It's off-season at the Pallet House and Delia can always watch Alex if we really need a babysitter and your grandparents aren't up to it…I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight."

Jessie stood and walked towards the door. "Goodnight."

XO

The next day Jay and Takeshi challenged Helena, and after two angst-filled crusades, the two boys were given their Courage Badges. Michio was cranky as usual, Amber caught an Oddish using her coined 'arrow-and-net' technique, but ultimately gave it to Takeshi (because the arrows terrified it), and they started their walk to the famous Cerulean City Gym. Jocelyn kept the older kids 'entertained' with her and Flaafy's cheery singing while Annastasia, Nolan, and Lexi led them through the woods.

It was late in the day and they were about three-quarters of the way to Cerulean City when they ran into Rita again. After exchanging 'hellos', the others gave Annastasia and Rita some time to talk alone while Zorua ran off to play with Lil-G and Bleu.

"I take it you're on duty?" Annastasia asked as they walked arm-in-arm.

"Yep. Gio has me planting bugs all over the place. He wanted me to give you these," Rita responded, reaching into her knapsack.

Rita passed her a metal box. Inside were small, blinking, devices that looked like metal spiders.

"On the last expedition Gio sent out, agents discovered that a lot of research for those fusion Pokémon has been done here in Kanto. The only reason the experiments were being stored in Toka was because Toka is inconspicuous—far away from the rest of the world with lots of mountains and open valleys and only a few small cities. Giovanni wants us to bug the entire Kanto region, listen in on the trainers passing through, see if there are still people coming through here for that purpose."

"That's not efficient," Annastasia replied, cupping one of the bugs in her hand. "Listening to all those conversations? I feel bad for the grunts stuck with that miserable job."

"Well, it's the boss's orders, and the other higher-ups didn't have a problem with it. Plant them in the Gyms and Pokémon Centers. I'll take care of putting them in the cities and woods."

"Sure, no problem."

"I'll pay you for your help."

"Don't be ridiculous…so…where's your other half?"

Rita smiled sadly at the memory of a time when they were partners. Annastasia had been out of commission since she got involved in chaperoning her current group, so a different agent was assigned to Rita, who needed to stay for the money.

"He's pathetic," said Rita. "Whiny and spineless. I sent him to the Aubergine, Pewter, and Mahogany Gyms and Pokémon Centers to plant those bugs since I know you already passed through those and because I needed to get away from him."

"I know what it's like to travel with an annoying guy," said Annastasia. "But give him a chance. He can't be so bad, right?"

"Are you referring to Michio?"

Rita briefly looked passed her friend to see if she could see him from where she was standing. She noticed Michio off in the distance, out of (a normal person's) hearing range, feeding some kind of medication to his Pikachu.

"Yes," Annastasia said cautiously. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, at least he isn't hard to look at," she replied. "So, what's wrong with him? He looks so innocent taking care of his Pikachu over there. You said yesterday we were going to talk about him but we never did. So, tell me, is he like a huge jerk or something?"

"I wouldn't call him a huge jerk…but he is annoying. He's a rich kid from Alola. He knows next to nothing about how to properly care for and treat Pokémon, even though he's the undefeated Alola League Champion. I'm practically his baby sitter. The only reason he is here is because his parents think that by making him go on a Pokémon journey like an average trainer, he'll break and start acting like a normal human."

"So, you don't like him but you're still helping him."

"I don't give up on people that easily and liking him or not isn't a factor."

"So, to be clear, you don't want him."

"And you do."

Rita was staring at Michio, who was now filing his nails while Lily and Logan talked to his Pikachu.

"So, you don't plan on hooking up with him?" she asked.

"I'm on a mission here. We agreed that this was important, and you know I'm not into guys."

"I know. I'm just curious. For all I know, you could've changed your mind."

"Says you...Well, I'm hoping we can become friends but I know I'll never be involved with him the way you want to be so you can go for it—but, I don't think you should."

"How come?"

"I think you can do way better."

"Wow. You really don't like him."

"I never said that."

"Well, I won't be intrusive… It'll just be for fun. He seemed so grumpy the last I saw him. Maybe I can cheer him up for you."

Annastasia thought about that for a few moments. Rita wasn't heartless, nor was she the type to get romantically involved. She hooked up with so many guys and girls in the past, and was never once heartbroken when it ended; she didn't have to worry about Michio breaking Rita's heart because Rita wouldn't let him.

And since Rita was the type of girl most guys seemed to want, having Rita could put him in a better mood.

"What about your job?" Annastasia asked. "I know you aren't fond of your new partner, but it isn't right to stick him with all the work."

"I may be a rebel but I always do my share of the work," Rita replied.

"I know, I just don't want you to get carried away; I can't do what you do."

"I have nights off and I can travel with you. I won't stay at your camp, but I can at least stop by for a few meals and walk with you. I have to plant these bugs in the woods anyway. And I bet Michio would enjoy a little late-night getaway. I'm so excited!"

"Chill Rita, he might reject you. He's sorta unpredictable…or maybe 'unreliable' is a more accurate term."

"I won't know until I try. So, what are your plans for the rest of the night?"

"The goal is to make it to Cerulean City in time for dinner. Our families are going to meet us at Amber's house. My parents offered to cook. We'll eat at Amber's house, then my parents will drive us five miles down the road to the Pallet House to stay overnight. Tomorrow morning Amber and some of the others are going to battle Misty for their Cascade Badge."

"May I invite myself?"

"Of course, but if you plan on putting the moves on Michio, be extra careful. It's going to be a full house. Don't you dare get caught with one of the younger ones watching you. I'd kill you both myself."

"I know, I know. Let's go. If your family's cooking, I don't wanna be late."

"Ready to get moving?" Nolan asked as he approached the girls.

"Yep," she replied. "Everyone; get your stuff together. We still have about an hour of walking to do."

"Rita, are you coming with us?" Jocelyn asked.

"Fla!"

"There's no way I'm missing out on a free meal," Rita replied.

"This will be a good chance to get to know you better," said Soledad. "Annastasia talks about you a lot, but I we never really talked to you before."

Annastasia blushed. "Funny how people can know me and not Rita."

"What do you mean?" June asked.

"Yeah, what do you mean?" Rita teased as she gently elbowed Annastasia.

"Rita and I are as close as sisters," Annastasia explained.

Amber turned to Jay—and Takeshi, who happened to be closest to Jay—and whispered:

"That title 'sisters'—definitely not how I'd put it."

"Huh?" said Takeshi.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Yeah, I know," Jay smiled.

"Last night my dad N sorta took over the conversation," Rita continued. "I have to admit he's an interesting guy. He tends to captivate people easily and dominate conversations, so I just let him go for it. Don't be shy to ask me anything—use me as an extra resource. I know a lot about traveling, Pokémon, and life in general."

Rita was watching Michio as she said the last of those words. For a moment each of them wondered if something else was already beginning.

The group gathered their personal items and threw away the trash left over from the snacks they had stopped to eat. Nolan handed the map to Annastasia and he, Lexi, and Annastasia resumed their roles as leaders.

Soledad, Jocelyn, Lily, and June talked to Rita for a while, but then she claimed she was tired and slowly made her way towards the back of the group.

"So, do you always stay in the back like this?" Rita asked Michio, who, as usual, was the last human in their walking party.

"Yep," he replied shortly. He didn't bother to look at her, hoping she'd get the hint that her company wasn't welcome.

Rita glided her hand along the length of his arm. "You really are difficult…"

He flinched at her touch, and picking up on her sudden change in tone, he glared at her and raised an eyebrow. The not-so-naïve Pikachu riding on his shoulder was pissed.

"What are you doing?" he asked, irritated but intrigued.

"Nothing," she replied off-handedly, running a hand through her hair.

"Leave me alone. I don't want to talk."

Rita's tone maintained that hushed, yet enticing, tone that she normally used to get what she wanted.

"I honestly just came over here because I wanted to get a better look at you. It wasn't a waste; you're hot."

"Great," he muttered. "Stop looking at me; it's annoying."

"Pikaaa," Scarlett added, uncomfortable with her presence.

Rita clutched his arm with both hands "I actually don't talk much either. I think you and I will get along well."

"I don't care."

Scarlett growled again as Rita moved closer.

"I hear you're an Alola League Champion," she continued. "It must be a lot of hard work, training all those Pokémon. I bet that is why you are in such great shape. You're interesting. I'm not so boring myself."

"Sure," he mumbled.

Michio and Scarlett turned away, withholding all sympathy from Rita. Michio was extremely bothered that some random girl from Kanto had the nerves to speak to him like this. It was like Annastasia all over again. Except unlike Annastasia, Rita was intentionally making him feel like this, which made it much, much worse. After a few seconds of silence between them, Rita touched him again, this time bringing them hip-to-hip as she rested her arm on his shoulder.

"Pika Pikachu?" asked Scarlett, confused as to why Michio was suddenly letting some stranger use him as a resting place.

"I will be traveling with you for a little while," Rita whispered in his ear. "However, I don't really like the idea of spending the night sleeping in a big group anyway. I would much prefer finding my own cozy little spot in the forest, hidden from everyone else. Maybe you could join me sometime."

Michio quickly removed Rita's arm from his shoulder as sparks sizzled around Scarlett's red cheeks. She let out a very annoyed 'Chuu' and the kids turned to see what had upset the Pikachu. They were confused to see an embarrassed Michio, an irritated Scarlett, and a giggling Rita walking together.

"What's going on back there?" asked June. "Scarlett looks pretty upset."

"She's just tired," said Michio. "Mind your own business."

"Okay. Scarlett, I hope you feel better soon."

Annastasia rolled her eyes. Lexi noticed this and tapped her on the shoulder. Annastasia leaned into her.

"Is there something going on between those two?" she asked.

"Rita wants to get with Michio. I'm assuming she isn't wasting any time trying to seduce him," she whispered back.

"Is that okay with you?"

"Absolutely. Rita does this all the time with guys, girls…everyone. It's her hobby. I know her just as well as I know you, and I trust her. She's sneaky; the kids probably won't suspect a thing. And if it gets out of hand, Rita is the type of person who just moves on, no feelings hurt. She likes to have fun, but she is responsible."

"Michio doesn't seem responsible."

"He might like the arrangement. Most guys would."

"Why do you say that?"

"Rita's aromantic. She likes guys that don't cling."

"Birds of a feather, you and her."

"Yeah—two different colored birds."

"I can't help but feel Jay should be a part of this conversation. I can't remember the last time we talked about drama without him."

Lexi turned to look at Jay. He and Amber were laughing and talking together. They were a few feet separated from the rest of the group.

"Let's leave him. He's ten. Even though he likes talking about drama, but he a doubt he wants to picture Rita and Michio together. At least, that is what I'll assume for now," said Annastasia.

"Onēsan?" asked a small voice.

"Fla?"

"Yes, Princess?" Annastasia said as she turned to face her sister.

"Can I ride on Bleu? I'm super tired from walking," Jocelyn replied.

"Sure." Annastasia gestured for her Altaria to come closer. "Bleu, can you please carry Jocelyn?"

Bleu nodded and lowered a fluffy white wing so that Jocelyn could climb aboard.

"That you so much," Jocelyn yawned, settling down into Bleu's wooly feathers.

"Thank you, Bleu," Annastasia said as she fed him a chocolate Poképuff. "You're the best."

"Pu?" Lil-G asked.

Annastasia lifted the Lillipup. "You're the best too."

"You know, Jocelyn finally stopped talking like Meowth," Lexi whispered.

"I know. That was one of my life goals. I guess she just needed to get away from that old scratch cat for a while. She probably misses him though, they were close."

"We want a ride!" Logan and Lily cried as they jumped in front of Bleu. "Wait for us!"

Bleu dipped one of his wings in order to let the cats climb aboard.

In the back of the group, Rita was still watching Michio, who was trying his hardest to avoid her. Scarlett was also annoyed by her presence, though Michio wasn't sure why, as the Pokémon didn't mind other people so much. He assumed for now that it was just because she was creating tension, and even someone 'insensitive' like him knew that Pokémon were keen enough to pick up on things like that. Nevertheless, they were all very relieved when they entered Amber's front yard.

AN: The next part is very long and this seemed like the best place to end. I love the name "Jamber" you all came up with, by the way, and I agree that ship names are appropriate for platonic relationships as well; ships don't always have to be romantic. You people leave the best reviews (I like speculations/opinions). Even though the story is already written out and just needs to be organized and such, I can always go into more detail about something or create a cut scene. Thanks for everything:)