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The one time Ash deluded himself into believing his dad would return, to see his face after what felt like years, the hope had been squashed. A supposed emergency arising that left disappointment lingering as he ate his mom’s croquettes. Not even the delicious pastry could heal Ash’s wound.
How lucky Delia had been to catch the man before he left. Tears bubbled up in hazel eyes as his partner Pikachu chirped a few sounds meant for comfort. Ash smiles sadly at the thoughtfulness, stuffing another croquette in his mouth. This bite tasted flavorless—bland.
Unbeknownst to the ten year old Pokémon champion were dastardly villains listening in on the subject. Despite their goal of capturing the prized Pikachu, something else concerned them deeply. The expression of lonely betrayal of a son.
Meowth’s gaze landed on Jessie and James to gauge what they would do about this. It was not as if Team Rocket were obligated to, but the twerp is someone they grew fond of over the years. None willing to admit the obvious fact.
Once Delia returned inside the Pokémon Center the three trailed behind Ash. Watching him sit below the starry night sky. Pikachu climbs on top of his shoulder, rubbing his red cheek against the champion's. An electric jolt revertabrating through the contact.
James sat on his left and Jessie on the right. Instantly Pikachu goes on the offense as Ash is vulnerable. Meowth orders it to calm down, that no harm will be done. Despite the hesitancy it seems to give up. Their emotions are interlinked.
“Well hello to you too, twerp. I know you see us. Are you going to send us blasting off again?” Jessie eggs on with a smirk. Attempting to get a rise out of Ash. To bring back that determined glint in his eyes.
“Not today, Team Rocket.” He gazed at the trees which swayed in the wind. “Did you enjoy my mom’s croquettes?”
“Mhm! They were absolutely delicious! If I could take some to go—” James responds. Meowth jams him in the stomach to indicate that there were more delicate matters to discuss rather than going on about Delia’s magnificent croquettes. That was for another time.
“What’s got your Doduo necks in a twist?” Meowth asks while picking his sharp cat teeth with a claw. Removing some of the leftover food from between them.
“Why would you suddenly care?” Ash’s eyebrow raises, but lets out a sigh. Feeling defeated by the world itself. “My dad…I didn’t get to see him. It’s been a few years since we last spent time together in the same room.”
“Did you have good memories with your dad?” Jessie asks, sounding abnormally vulnerable. They remember her history now. Jumping from different foster homes because of her deceased parents.
Ash contemplates the question carefully. “I’m not sure. I do, I think, but I can’t remember any. All I know is a blurry face that I see in dreams.” The silent look of I don’t want to forget him may go unnoticed by many, but not Jessie.
That happened to her at a similar age. Grasping on tightly to the memory of someone Jessie felt like she never knew. A stranger plaguing her mind seemed somber until stupid. Instead of the want growing, it became a hatred.
Nothing went her way and those parents she longed for are dead. To get to know them would cause a heftier heartbreak. It was better to suppress that childish feeling. In this instant though, she could use this to her advantage. Crush Ash’s spirits or whatever else a villain might do.
“I am sure he loves you.” Yet what tumbled out Jessie is different, kinder. A small smile appeared as he turned around to face her. “I am sure you two will cross paths again someday.” Granting the champion the reassurance that he needed.
Meowth and James balked at the scene unfolding before them. Most people would describe the relationship between Team Rocket and Ash as hostile considering how they attempt to kidnap Pikachu.
When the layers are peeled back and deeply inspected, something lies beneath. A mutual agreement to maintain this relationship by trailing behind Ash throughout his journey. No matter where it ends them up.
Does Team Rocket hate the boy referred to as ‘twerp’? Maybe this should have been answered long ago. When there was more time to ponder the matter. As tears welled up in Ash’s eyes their shared response became clear. That somewhere during the villainary left space for a dust of genuine care.
“Twerp,” James coughs a few times, “I mean Ash. Instead of wallowing in your despair, think of all the people that are there for you! Wasn’t your mom there to console you when your dad didn’t arrive?”
Glossy eyes looked up and nodded. Pikachu did its own effort in calming the champion down by hugging his head. A reminder that it too would be there for Ash.
“And who are the ones that have been with you through it all? Who doesn't plan on ever leaving until they have captured that Pikachu?” Meowth smiles reassuringly. No matter what part of the world he was in, they always followed.
The constant in Ash’s life that he never knew he appreciated. What friends left on their journey was a part of life. He accepted that people would leave. Now he realizes that not everyone ever did.
“Team Rocket!” Sadness fades from his face and is replaced with a signature toothy Ash grin. Pikachu excitedly chippers at its trainer’s newfound good mood. The human and Pokémon lay on the grass, stretching out their limbs. Under the stars Jessie and James join the star gazing, Meowth follows suit.
Stars littered the navy blue night sky. Waves of calm washed over the people and Pokémon below. Things were finally still, unlike the usual for the hyperactive young trainer.
James wraps an arm around Ash, Jessie joins. Meowth leans against Pikachu. None focused on their original task. Basking in the bliss of common ground. Tomorrow they’d chase after them again. For now, Team Rocket would be a shoulder to depend on.