The Party is Over

The guests slowly filter out of the large room leaving you and the other tired tournament contestants behind. Grunts walk around holding stacks of clothes. You wave down the one holding your dress. Your panties are torn and soiled so you toss them aside.

The others dress and leave, more than ready to be done with the event. But your party stays, waiting for your payment, waiting for answers. Paris and Daisy are holding hands nervously waiting to discover the identity of their father. Yuruki is tying together the two sides of her torn shirt. John comforts Opal, or is it the other way around. Jack leans against your shoulder, both of you on the verge of passing out, a long night of strenuous activity is apt to take it out of you.

Black Jack approaches, the moment of truth barrels towards you. “You lot hoping for a round 2?” he gives a devilish grin, running his hand through his raven hair. “Sorry to disappoint, but the festivities are done.”

You leer at him, he can’t be serious. “You still owe us.”

He raises an eyebrow, “Owe you? Ah, yes. The information request.” He calls over a grunt, he leans in whispering something. “Give us one moment.” The grunt runs off to the other room. Black Jack pulls up a chair, “While we’re waiting on that, I assume you all had a good time?”

He laughs as the whole group dissents in one form or another. Sneers, groans, silence, or even Yuruki’s emphatic, “Fuck no.”

“What are we waiting for? Can’t you just tell us who Tom Ketchum is?” you ask, ready to be as far away from anything and everything Team Rocket.

“Now where would be the fun in that? Plus I figured you’d be excited to not only get your answers but meet the man himself?” he gestures towards the sisters.

Ashley appears behind Black Jack. “Have you told them?”

“Not yet.”

“Why are we telling them? They don’t matter. Just kick them out, or better yet, let’s sell them into slavery. They’re always looking to buy in Orre.”

Black Jack laughs, and stands to face Ashley. He grabs her by the throat in a flash of anger, “Who is in charge here?”

Ashley chokes out, “You, sir. Sorry, sir.” She gasps for air, when Black Jack releases her and returns to his seat.

“Ah, here we are,” Black Jack waves to the returning grunt with another man in tow. “Say hello to Tom Ketchum.” Black Jack clasps a hand on the second guy’s shoulder. Tom is a lithe man, barely more than skin and bones. He’s dirty and you can smell him from here. The crook of his arm is dotted with bruises, blown blood vessels. Track marks that reveal his **** use.

You look over to Daisy and Paris. Their faces hung in disbelief, disappointment. Tom’s eyes are hazy, you doubt that Daisy will actually get the answers she wanted. You look back to him, but as you do you spot Ashley. She gives the devilish grin that you’ve come to know. But why? She was so against this, but now?

You look back to Tom. He’s got the same raven hair as Ashley, Daisy, and Paris. But wait, is that, a patch of black sticking to his temple. Hair dye? His eyes are hazy, so you wouldn’t expect to see the fire and passion you’ve come to expect from their family. Is his defeated demeanor just an effect of the ****? No, the closer you look you can’t really see any similarities with any of his supposed children, which strikes you as odd seeing as how similar they all are.

“That’s not him, is it?” you speak up.

Black Jack gives you a devilish grin, “Now why would you say that?”

“Just look at him, and look at,” you glance back to your friends. Daisy and Paris look confused, but Ashley’s grin disappearing tells you that you’re right. “Tell us who the real Tom Ketchum is. We kept up our end of the deal.”

Black Jack slow claps, “Well, done. I thought this would be enough to fool you. Hell, I think it almost did. Get rid of him,” he gestures to the fake Tom. The grunt drags him back the way they came. “Fine, I guess you’ve earned it. I’ll tell you who the real Tom Ketchum is.”

“Please,” Ashley starts, only to immediately stop when Black Jack glares her way. Her earlier delight gone.

“As I was saying,” Black Jack growls, “I am Tom Ketchum. I am your father.” The group is silent. Ashley’s grin doesn’t return. You all stare. There’s no denying it this time. You’re not sure how you didn’t see it before. Maybe just the age on his features? Or an aversion to looking too closely at the Team Rocket member. But the anger in his eyes, the same devilish grin, even the slightly graying raven black hair.

Black Jack, or rather Tom Ketchum, claps his hands. “Take your time, soak it all in,” he laughs, Blue’s laugh.

“Boss,” a grunt approaches, he whispers in Black— Tom’s ear.

“Well, it looks like I’m needed elsewhere.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a couple black business cards. He hands one to Daisy and Paris, “When you’re ready.” Then he hands another to you, “In case you change your mind about joining the Team.”

And then he was gone. Nobody knew what to say. You slowly make your way back to your rooms at the pokecenter. The morning light harsh on your very tired eyes. The events of the party and the new revelation catch up to you, weighing heavy on your mind and body. You’re not even sure which room you wind up in, or with who. You immediately fall asleep when your head hits the pillow, someone’s arm around you.

Author’s Note: Thank you all for reading this far in. The cat’s out of the bag now. I’ve been waiting so long to give this reveal. And this is also the end to my Celadon arc, and next chapter (Chapter 200 :O) will start a sort of Transition Arc, expect lots of POV shifts. It should also be on the shorter side. I know comments are more common nowadays on this story but I’d love to hear from everyone. A Q&A section, or feedback, suggestions. Likes and dislikes so far, favorite/least favorite characters. And once again, thank you to everyone still reading this far into my branch, I truly appreciate it. <3