Under the current circumstances, the best course of action would be to consult some experts in Ghost-type matters.
Cain had several very suitable people in mind, but at the moment it was impossible to go look for them, so he could only research on his own and hope to find a good method.
For now, he decided to use Trial Island as his temporary place to train Pokémon.
...
One week later.
At the Team Rocket base on Trial Island, the new batch of aspirants, after familiarizing themselves with their Pokémon and the environment, began to venture into the resource-rich forest.
Although this generation of aspirants did not have missions as harsh as those faced by Cain and his group, Trial Island was still extremely dangerous: the wild Pokémon here were far more aggressive than those outside.
"Jessie, it's our turn to go out... but we only have Meowth. I think we're not coming back," said James, with bluish-violet hair, hiding with her at the back of the group.
"What are you afraid of? Meowth isn't very strong, but at least he's a Pokémon—he can always be of some use. If each of us manages to catch one more, it'll be our new beginning on the island. When we get out, promotions to captains, officers—even Senior Officers won't be far away!" Jessie's eyes were filled with hope, as if a bright future were calling to them.
Hearing her, James also stopped worrying and began to believe in that promising future.
The only one who remained somewhat sensible was Meowth, and upon hearing that he would be sent to fight, he was nearly scared out of his wits. "I don't wanna fight! I don't know how to fight, nya!!"
Just as the three of them were arguing about how to fight, two people slowly approached with expressions full of disdain.
"Tsk, if it isn't Jessie and James... and their useless Pokémon, Meowth. Ready to head out already? Don't get lost out there and fail to come back tonight."
Hearing those mocking words, Jessie and James clenched their teeth in anger.
Jessie's red hair almost stood on end. "Cassidy, Butch! Do you two always have to show up?!"
"Exactly, Batch!" James added.
The usually calm Butch jumped as if his tail had been stepped on. "My name is Butch! Remember it properly! I! Am! But-ch!"
James looked at him and nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, yeah, Batch, got it, Batch."
Butch was about to explode with rage, but Cassidy stopped him. Coldly, she said, "Showing off with words is pointless. This sortie gives us free access to the entire island. From this moment on, the instructors will no longer intervene. Do you know what that means?"
"It means that from now on, even if I kill you right here, I won't receive any punishment. Understand? Two useless people... and your useless Meowth."
Butch also looked at them with his arms crossed, as if watching his favorite prey.
Jessie and James froze.
Although they had accepted the mission knowing the danger, being told so directly was another matter entirely.
Seeing that they did not respond, Cassidy and Butch left arrogantly.
Among this generation of aspirants, the two of them were among the strongest; Jessie and James were undoubtedly the weakest.
"Jessie... what they said... is it true?" James asked in a trembling voice.
As a pampered young noble, he had never been threatened with his life before.
Jessie nodded with a frown, watching the two walk away, while something new sprouted in her heart: a deep desire to gain strength.
...
Another three days passed.
Thanks to Meowth's silver tongue, Jessie and James managed to barely survive in the island's jungle.
"I'm so tired... and hungry..." James slumped against a tree.
"Lower your voice!" Jessie covered his mouth. "This is the third day. This survival trial is almost over. After that, as long as we stay inside the base, we won't have to worry about food. And after today, the instructors won't supervise whether we're in the base or the forest anymore."
Hearing this, James and Meowth showed looks of hope. But just then, a voice appeared behind them.
"We finally found you. I didn't think you'd actually survive until now. But it looks like your good luck ends here."
Jessie and James's bodies tensed immediately.
Two figures emerged from the forest in front of them: Cassidy and Butch, just as they had promised, accompanied by their Pokémon.
"Cas... Cassidy... Bat... Batch..." James stammered.
Butch flew into a rage again. "For the last time, my name is Bat— ARGH! Butch! Butch!"
"Doesn't matter," he said with a malicious smile. "After today, you won't have to remember it anymore."
Cassidy and Butch stepped closer, looking down at them. Meowth trembled with fear, yet still stood in front of them.
"How annoying. Time to send them to the other world."
As soon as she finished speaking, her Ekans and Butch's Zubat attacked at the same time.
"!!Miauu!!"
Meowth rushed forward without thinking, but he was no match; he was struck and sent flying within seconds.
"Meowth!" James shouted in concern.
Jessie, on the other hand, kept her composure. She rose from the ground gripping a branch, her only weapon.
"James, when you get the chance... run! Use all your strength! I'm the one who got you into Team Rocket, so I have to get you back alive!"
Her hair was not yet as long as it would be in the future, but at that moment, James saw her in a completely different light for the first time.
With one hand, he wiped away his tears; with the other, he picked up a stone from the ground and clenched it tightly.
"I'm not leaving. Let's fight together until the end!"
Though his voice trembled, he stepped forward beside Jessie with tremendous courage.
In the distance, Meowth, aching all over, crawled back to place himself in front of them once more.
(End of chapter)