Chapter 118: Team Rocket Steals the Show!

"What? You want us to start our own show?"

Jessie nodded.

"Think about it! People stream their journeys all of the time, and if you get enough views you can even get paid for it. We can use the funds to further our goals, and maybe even recruit new members!"

"Eh, I don't know, Jess," Meowth said. "Sounds ta me like ya just want to become famous."

"But of course! A grand star like me deserves the spotlight!"

"But we always wear disguises! What'd be da point?"

"Oh, details, details," Jessie responded, waving away Meowth's concerns. "All that matters is reaching superstardom! Besides, It'll still be me regardless."

Meowth just sighed, realizing it'd be pointless to keep trying. James, however, was more open to the idea.

"They do make a lot of money if enough people watch them," he thought out loud. "And Team Rocket could use some more members."

"So it's settled!" Jessie cried. "Let's work on some disguises, and we can start tomorrow!"

"Wait!" Meowth cried. "What will our show be about?"

"Oh, just the basics of Pokemon training," Jessie said dismissively. "Now come on, I need to get your measurements."

Meowth just groaned. He could tell this was going to be rough.

"She never learns."

The next day, the three of them put on their disguises and raced off to Viridian Forest. They'd ditched their Team Rocket uniforms for more casual wear, and for extra protection James wore an Afro wig and Jessie had her hair in twin tails, while Meowth did his best to look human.

"Alright, are we ready, Meowth?"

"Just a minute, and…Alright, we're live!"

As their Rotomphone floated in the air, they crowded around it to show the world their faces.

"Hello, internet land! We're live from Viridian Forest to bring you the newest hit show, Trainer Blast Off!"

"That's right! We'll be teaching all of you the ins and outs of Pokemon training!"

"So if you ever had any burning questions, we're the place to get them answered!"

"Wobuffet!"

"That's right, Wobuffet! And for our first lesson, we'll teach all of you how to catch your very own Pokemon!"

Almost as if on cue, a Pidgeotto fluttered down from the sky to find food.

"Ah, perfect! Watch closely everyone, because we're about to nab a powerful Pokemon!"

"Now, the first thing to remember is that you need to weaken a Pokemon before you capture it. Which means you have to battle it with a Pokemon of your own. Dexio, care to do the honors?"

"With pleasure, Sina! Go, Cacturne!"

Of course, Cacturne ignored Pidgeotto and immediately turned to hug James, causing him pain as he tried to throw him off of him.

"Not me, the bird!"

Luckily, Cacturne got the message, jumping off of James's chest and leaping down to face Pidgeotto. But Meowth was skeptical.

"Eh, Dexio? You did know that Grass Types are weak against Flying Types, didn't you?"
James recoiled, but quickly recovered.

"Of course, I just didn't know if the viewers at home knew that! But type matchups aren't everything, you know. Cacturne, use Pin Missile!"

Cacturne thrust his arms forward, shooting out several sharp needles at Pidgeotto, which struck him. The success was short-lived, however, as Pidgeotto soon turned on them. Before James could issue another command, Pidgeotto sent them flying away with Whirlwind.

"Looks like we're blasting off again!"

With a groan, the trio, Cacture, and Wobbuffet landed in the trees.

"Ugh, that could've gone better."

"Wobbuffet!"

Jessie was undeterred, shaking off the impact before turning to her phone.

"Well, true believers, that leads us to another important lesson: sometimes a Pokemon is too strong for you to catch! Don't worry though, you can always try again when you've gotten stronger."

"So, what now?"

"Now we try again! Never give up folks, that's our motto!"

James and Meowth perked up, and as they all climbed down, they felt even more invigorated.

"That's the spirit! Now all we have to do is find another Pokemon to catch!"

Just then, they noticed a Weedle crawling up the tree beside them.

"And I spot one now!"

With a wicked grin, Jessie turned to the camera.

"Now folks, I know we said earlier that you need to weaken a Pokemon in battle first before you catch it, but sometimes there are exceptions! If you're lucky enough to catch it by surprise, you can sometimes capture it without breaking a sweat! Observe."

Jessie slowly crept up on the oblivious Weedle, trying ever so carefully not to make a sound before snatching it, the Bug type squirming to try and get away.

"Gotcha! Don't worry Weedle, you and I are going to be great friends!"

"Um, Sina?"

"What is, Mason?"

"Behind you."

Jessie turned around, to come face to face with a very large, very angry Beedrill.

"Oh…is this little one yours?"

"Drill."

"Oh, me? I wasn't going to take him, I was just looking after him until you got back."

Jessie sat Weedle down, and it quickly scuttled over to its mother.

"See, no harm done! We're good now, right?"

Her response was an angry jab, which she barely avoided in time.

"I'll take that as a no!"

James and Meowth, seeing that there was no use trying to fight, took off running after her.

By the time the trio had managed to escape, they were covered in cuts, bruises, and needles, and completely exhausted.

"I think…it's best that…we wrap it up…" Meowth said.

"I agree…" James concurred. Sighing, Jessie turned to the phone.

"Well folks, that's a wrap for today. Join us next week for more exciting lessons."

With that, she flopped down, exhausted.

"Or maybe not…"

Goh and Chloe, having watched the entire stream, laughed as it wrapped up.

"Man, that was awesome!"

"I never knew they could run that fast."

Just then, Ash and Lillie came in.

"Hey guys, whatcha watching?"

"This funny video. Check it out!"

Goh sent them the link, and as they watched they couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Man, and I thought I had it rough when I first started!" Ash said through his tears. Even Pikachu was having trouble staying on his perch, he was laughing that hard.

"Oh, don't be so mean," Lillie said, even though she was struggling to hold in her own laughter.

"Can we all agree that that's Team Rocket?" Chloe said.

"Oh yeah," Goh said.

"I don't even think they're trying with their disguises anymore," Ash put in. "But I know one thing's for sure: they're hilarious!"

By the time they got back to their hideout, the trio was exhausted. Jessie flopped down onto the couch, defeated.

"Meowth, if I ever talk about stardom again, please Fury Swipe some sense into my face."

"With pleasure."

James sighed, his body still aching from their encounter with Beedrill.

"I guess I might as well see if anybody watched it."

"Why bother?" Jessie moped. "It was a disaster."

But James was surprised to see that was not the case.

"Jessie, come look!"

With a weary sigh, Jessie picked herself up and looked at the screen. When she saw the number of views, her eyes lit up.

"WHAT? You mean people actually watched the whole thing?"

"Not just that, they loved it! Look at the comments!"

Jessie turned around, the fire in her eyes reignited.

"This is a sign! A sign that my stardom is guaranteed, and I won't let it go to waste! I'm going to start preparing for our next episode now!"

Before either of them could stop her, Jessie had already run out the door to do just that. Meowth and James just shared a knowing look.

"Well, so much for giving up on stardom."

"Oh well," James said. "Might as well let her dream."