James paced around the floor, waiting impatiently for any news about Jesse. The Eater of Worlds had left to get some air, Simon sat quietly on a chair, reading a book, seeming keeping his cool, but inside, Simon was crying as much as the rest of them. To James, the silent screams of the corridor seemed deafening. Simon had just finished a chapter when James snapped.

“HOW CAN YOU KEEP YOUR COOL IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?” he cried out, leaping at the throat of Simon.

“Woah, woah, you don’t think that maybe I am worried too?” shouted Simon, diving out of the warpath of James.

“YOU?” snorted James, breathing heavily, “YOU… Are worried too?” James seemed to calm at the fact he was not alone.

“I hoped to never see this situation twice, let alone THREE times.”

“What?”

“When I was three, my mother was sent to hospital, he went for surgery and never came back. My family claim I don’t remember. Oh, but I do, I make myself remember.”

“So, this is nothing like that!”

Simon kept the cool look on his face. “When I was 11 and a half, I had just come back from Pokémon Tec. My only sister, and sibling had been sent to the hospital. I waited several hours for her to return safely. Once again, she never returned.”

“So, your father raised you then?”

“No, My sister had, she was 17 when my mother died. My father died ‘mysteriously’ before my birth. With no family, I repeatedly failed my Pokemon Tec exams”, he said, tear in his eyes “Eventually, the examining board broke a deal with me. If they did my marking purely based on my battle skills; I could leave with a half qualification. I could not face another year there. I agreed, where my major knowledge of battling made me ace my exam. I was now broke, homeless, hungry and dying. I had been reduced to begging on the streets. That was when thugs bearing Pokémon assaulted me. I was forced to fight back with my Pikachu and Abra. I lost, but put up a major fight. That was when I was approached by a man, who let me into his home. He told me that he worked for Team Rocket. I didn’t catch his name though; I was too busy eating. But nonetheless, I decided to check out Team Rocket.”

“So, you were one of the academy orphans?”

“Yeah.”

“Go on…”

“Anyway, I successfully passed through the academy easily. During the time, My Abra evolved into Kadabra, my Pikachu got stronger.”

“But he was always too busy studying to got out to any of the parties!” added a young female voice.

“What the…?” questioned Simon, recognising the voice. “BC?”

“You always have a knack for noticing details.”

“BC!” he shouted, before running over to her.

“How’ve you been Simon?”

“Well, teamed with Jesse and James, still making good heists.”

“Ah yes, remember the Academy theft challenge?”

Simon began to laugh; “Well at least we were commended for originality!”

“What? What about the theft challenge?” quizzically added James.

“Did you have the one where you had to steal the Pokémon from the vault?” asked BC.

“No, I had the social event.” replied James.

“Well, instead of breaking in to the vault, Mister Smarts decided to just haul the entire safe away!”

“Well, it worked didn’t it?” said Simon, with a smile on his face

“Just how did you teleport an entire vault?” said BC.

“Ah…” said Simon, “That’s a secret that you’ll never know! Anyway, what are you doing here?”

“What even with an IQ of 173, you still can’t work that out?”

“Well I know what you are doing here, but how did you find out?”

“I… I… called her,” answered James “I figured as she was Jesse’s best friend, she had to know”

“Well, I’m not complaining, am I?”

“Uh… no.”

“Look, why don’t I leave you two to go and get to know each other?” said Simon, leaving the room.

“So… you’re the James she always talks about…” started BC, while Simon walked away.

Outside, Simon returned to The Eater of Worlds, who was sitting back at the fountain where they were before. The Eater of Worlds was sitting on the edge of the fountain, watching as Killer slept in the sun. “Hi…” he said to The Eater of Worlds.

“Hi” she responded, looking at him.

“Listen, about before, I, uh… I mean, I… Oh god, I don’t know how to say this… wait, how about sorry?”

“Sorry? About what?”

“About not letting you finish.”

“Doesn’t matter, I was only going to tell you that the rumours look to be inconclusive.”

“INCONCLUSIVE? IN-CON-FRIKKEN-CLUSIVE? I’LL GIVE YOU INCONCLUSIVE!”

The Eater of Worlds was surprised by Simon’s reaction to the news. In fact, she was a bit angry. “WELL HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO FIND RESULTS WHEN I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR?”

“I… I… I… Oh god.” Simon slumped down onto the fountain and began to cry.

“Look… don’t take it personally, but it’s not easy getting something like that to test.”

“It doesn’t matter any more, I’m beginning to believe that they’re false.”

“But something like that… why would you want that sort of… oh my god,” The Eater of Worlds clicked on to what she had been looking for. “You don’t think that…”

Simon glanced up and nodded.

“So I’m getting… so you can… oh my god.”

“I know, it’s crazy isn’t it?”

“Just a little bit!”

Once again the conversation could not advance further as the doctor appeared to inform them that Jesse was recovering fine, the operation had been a success.

“When can we see her?” questioned The Eater of Worlds.

“Right now.” said The Doctor.

Inside the recovery room, Jesse slept silently, outside, BC, The Eater of Worlds, Simon, James, Meowth (who had been granted return to duty) and Meowth’s new-found love Meowzy watched their little “Miracle Girl” sleep, every breath a celebration, every heartbeat a joy. About three hours later, Jesse’s eyes opened. That was the point off enlightened ecstasy. Everyone was allowed to see here within an hour.

“Youse really had us scared this time, Jesse.” quoted Meowth.

“Yeah, don’t ever do that again!” joked James.

Weakly, Jesse found the strength to reply. “Don’t worry, I won’t be planning something like that for a long time.” James just smiled. Then hugged her.

“How are you feeling?” asked BC.

“Like I was snatched from death.”

“Well, you can’t expect to have all the bad luck from now on.” added Simon.

“Ugh… I could do with a holiday about now,” said Jesse.

“Don’t worry, you can have one,” gently spoke Giovanni, who had arrived after she was returned to the recovery room, “Except you Simon, I have a new mission for you.”

“What?” Simon asked.

“I need you to team up with RocketMew, and do something about some traitors in Team Rocket.”

“What about Jesse and James?”

“Well, I think we have learned everything we can from you,” said James.

“True…” replied Simon.

“Well, I’m sure we’ll be alright after our holiday…”

“Looks like it’s the end of this adventure.” joked The Eater of Worlds

“Hmm… you speak as if this is a fan fiction or a cartoon.” laughed Meowzy.

“Like that could ever be…” smiled Simon.

THE END