Chapter 2 – Thank You for Agreeing
After swaying two or three times, Jessie's lashes finally fluttered and her eyes slowly opened.
At first her gaze was unfocused; she blankly scanned the wallpaper, the sofa, then settled on Lin Bei's face and instantly frowned.
Where is this? Who are you? Why am I here?
Her voice still carried the hoarseness of sleep and a trace of wariness. She had already braced a hand against the carpet, edging away.
Lin Bei quickly withdrew his hand and shifted back to give her space. "My name's Lin Bei. You may not believe it, but… this is the inside of a Poké Ball."
What?!
Jessie's voice shot up. She sat bolt upright and stared around in disbelief.
Who are you trying to fool? How could a Poké Ball hold a room this big? And Poké Balls are for catching Pokémon—when could they catch humans?
While she spoke she ran her hands over her body, checking for injuries, her guard rising as she scanned for an exit.
Seeing this, Lin Bei walked to the sofa and sat, palms open.
I'm not lying. I can't explain why a Poké Ball can catch a human either, but I did bring you in with a special ball. You were walking on the path outside Pallet Town—remember?
Jessie hesitated, memory flickering, and her expression changed.
I remember I was going to find James and Meowth… then I suddenly blacked out.
At that she glared at Lin Bei, anger in her voice.
You did this? What do you want?
I want to form a contract with you.
Lin Bei was blunt.
After the contract you can transform into a Pokémon and fight for me. I'm a Trainer; I'll be travelling this world.
Contract? Turn into a Pokémon?
Jessie looked as if she'd heard the world's biggest joke, yet meeting Lin Bei's earnest eyes she couldn't laugh; her face darkened.
No way! I'm not becoming some fluffy little thing, and I'm not fighting for you! Let me out—now!
As she spoke her eyes reddened, her voice cracked, and fat tears rolled down her cheeks onto the carpet.
The Jessie who was always fierce and brash in Team Rockets now looked like a wronged child, crying so pitifully that Lin Bei's heart softened.
He quickly asked the System in his mind.
System, Jessie doesn't want this. Can I just release her? I can't stand watching her cry.
[System: Impossible. After the Host captured Jessie's true body, the System generated a puppet to replace her actions.
Releasing her true body would place two Jessie in the world, creating a temporal paradox and causing the world to collapse.
All life, including the Host, would perish.]
What? That serious?
Lin Bei was startled and immediately dropped the idea of letting her go.
So I have to contract her? There's no other option?
[System: Correct. From the instant you used the friend ball to capture her true body, the contract became the only solution and cannot be undone.]
Lin Bei sighed and pressed further.
Then does the contract give her any benefits? I can't just make her fight for nothing.
He needed perks he could tell her about, hoping she'd agree willingly rather than under stress.
[System: Of course there are benefits.
Should the Host clear every challenge in the Pokémon world and ultimately become a god,
Jessie, as a contracted Attendant, will simultaneously gain divinity, endless lifespan, and freedom from aging, illness, or death.
Additional notes: Attendants only transform into Pokémon while outside the ball; inside the friend ball they retain human form.
Out in the world, other humans will see the Attendant as a Pokémon; only the Host can see the human form.
When the Attendant speaks, others will hear the corresponding Pokémon's Growl; only the Host will hear human language.]
Lin Bei's eyes lit up—those perks were huge, especially endless life; few could refuse.
He turned to the still-sniffling Jessie and softened his tone.
Jessie, stop crying for a moment and listen. If you contract with me and I eventually become a god, you'll ascend too, gaining eternal life—no aging, no death.
Become… a god?
Her sobs paused; she lifted her tear-streaked face, doubt and a sliver of hope in her eyes.
Really? Something like that exists?
I've no reason to lie.
Lin Bei nodded earnestly.
And you'll only turn into a Pokémon outside; inside this ball you'll stay as you are now.
Others out there will see a Pokémon, but I'll see the real you.
When you talk, only I'll understand you; everyone else will just hear Pokémon cries.
Jessie stared at him for a long time, seemingly weighing his words.
Finally she sniffed and asked in a small voice,
Then… can I refuse?
No.
Lin Bei answered honestly.
If you leave now the world collapses and we all die. But I want you to agree of your own will—I don't want to force you.
Jessie lowered her lashes, hiding her thoughts. After a long moment she gave a tiny nod.
Since there's no choice… I agree.
She was afraid of death, and endless life was too tempting; helping Lin Bei fight suddenly seemed acceptable.
Lin Bei exhaled in relief and smiled.
Thank you for agreeing.
So what do we do to complete the contract?
Jessie lifted her head, a hint of shyness in her eyes, voice softer.
Lin Bei stood, walked over, knelt in front of her, and whispered into her ear the System's method: consummation.
The instant he finished Jessie's face flushed scarlet, the blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears and down her neck.
She instinctively shrank back, gaze darting away, but when she caught sight of Lin Bei's handsome profile she steadied herself.
After a few seconds she gave a barely audible nod.
Mm…
Seeing her consent, Lin Bei felt his own nerves. He gently cupped her face, leaned down, and kissed her soft lips.
They were tender and faintly sweet. At first she tensed, then slowly relaxed, eyes closing as she lightly kissed him back.