The scent of fresh polish clung to the marble floors of the Jameson estate. The manor, an ostentatious monument to old money, stood proudly against the countryside—elegant, timeless, and just a little worn at the edges. The kind of place that had paintings of long-dead relatives glaring judgmentally from gilded frames.
Giovanni adjusted the cuffs of his tailored coat as he stepped through the high-arched doorway, his Persian padding silently at his side. A gust of wind blew through the open entry, disturbing a vase of imported Johtonian orchids. The butler barely flinched.
"Lord Giovanni of Viridian Gym," the man intoned, with the sort of perfectly restrained tone that suggested he'd once taught arrogance to royalty. "Lord and Lady Jameson await in the east drawing room."
Giovanni nodded. "Excellent. I trust young James is home as well?"
The butler hesitated. "He has… returned recently."
As Giovanni passed into the manor proper, the muffled sound of sobbing and the slam of a distant door echoed through the hall. He paused, tilting his head.
"Family harmony, I see," he said dryly.
James brushed past him in the hallway, eyes red and shoulders slumped, Growlithe trailing behind him like a furry echo of shame. He didn't even notice Giovanni at first, muttering something about "idiotic engagements" and "soul death by afternoon tea."
Giovanni watched him go, eyes narrowing with the precision of a hawk considering its prey.
A noble heir with connections, emotional instability, and absolutely no idea what he's worth. That's not a problem. That's an opportunity.
He continued into the drawing room, where Lord and Lady Jameson waited in what could only be described as a parody of aristocratic disinterest. Lady Jameson was sipping tea with a stiff spine and a thousand-yard stare, while her husband swirled brandy like he hoped it would age another decade in the glass.
"Giovanni," Lord Jameson muttered. "Didn't expect a social call."
"Not social," Giovanni replied smoothly. "Business. I came to speak of a potential joint venture. But"—he glanced toward the hallway—"it seems we have another topic to address first."
Lady Jameson sighed theatrically. "James, yes. He's disgraced himself again. Ran from another engagement. You'd think by now he'd understand his duty."
"I understand," Giovanni said, voice like velvet over steel. "Duty isn't always easy to teach. That's why you need the right instructor."
Lord Jameson raised an eyebrow. "And you believe you qualify?"
"I believe your instructors have failed. I can make a proper man out of your child. Not just a dutiful son, but a name your lineage can depend on. An apprentice. Under my care. My training."
Lady Jameson blinked. "You want to make him a... gym apprentice?"
"A gentleman's apprenticeship," Giovanni corrected, eyes gleaming. "He will learn discipline, strategy, and reputation. No grunting, no running. A structured mentorship—befitting his heritage."
He paused, then leaned in just slightly.
"And in return, I have certain... economic initiatives I would like to push through with Viridian's expanding development zone. Projects a name like 'Jameson' backing would legitimize in the eyes of the League Council."
Lord Jameson finally gave him a real look, frowning in thought.
Giovanni smiled politely. Internally, his mind was already racing.
James would inherit this estate. That much was inevitable. Groomed properly, given responsibility under his direction, James could become a powerful ally—and a useful figurehead. A noble with League recognition, loyal to Giovanni. He could even be made a public face for the more civil aspects of Rocket-backed projects.
He'd be far more useful now compared to how his alternate self used him.
Giovanni continued, "Your family gains prestige. Your son gains structure. And your estates are no longer troubled by these... incidents."
"Hmm," Lord Jameson said.
"And," Giovanni added casually, "I'll see to it that the engagement is indefinitely postponed. Permanently, if necessary."
That got their attention. Even Lady Jameson sat forward slightly.
"We've spent a fortune—"
Giovanni raised a hand. "I'll repay any offended parties in full. Discreetly. Let the world think it was his choice. In a year, the Jameson name will shine brighter than ever."
They were silent for a long moment.
Finally, Lord Jameson grunted. "Do it. Take him."
Giovanni inclined his head. "I'll send a car for him tomorrow."
Internally Giovanni's thoughts "Idiots "
As he turned to leave, his smirk curled just a bit wider.
New Regulations and First Battles
The following morning, Viridian Gym buzzed with subtle but monumental change. On the League registry board, a quiet update took effect: Gym Leader Giovanni was now permitted to use non-Ground types in official battles, following an approved petition citing his broadened training mandate and diverse tactical curriculum. The only demand from their side was the non-ground type Pokemon should have learnt a ground type Move.
This gave Giovanni a new avenue. He could now legally use Meowth, Charizard, and even more exotic team members in low-tier matches, without raising immediate suspicion, it had taken him some dirty work but it benefitted him in the long run .
James arrived with Growlithe in tow, looking surprisingly sharper in a pressed coat. Meowth greeted him with a lazy salute before getting back to digging holes in the practice yard. He was learning how to use Dig so that he can be used in gym battles .
"Intern duties begin with observation," Giovanni told James. "But you'll be doing more than cleaning windows. Pay attention. Learn."
The gym gates opened to the first challenger of the day—a young trainer named Yuri from Celadon, two badges deep and cocky as hell. He called out a Kadabra and a Pidgeotto like he was challenging the Elite Four.
Giovanni didn't bat an eye.
"Gible, Dugtrio. Take the field."
The Gible was still new, but this was the perfect chance to test it. Dugtrio opened with a tremor that disrupted the terrain, while Gible darted forward with surprising speed.
The battle was fast and surprisingly clean. Kadabra tried to teleport out of a Sand Tomb, only to eat a Dragon Breath. Pidgeotto fared better but got swept by Dugtrio's Rock Slide.
Giovanni didnt award a badge.
"Your instincts are good," he said to the stunned trainer. "Your patience is not. Work on it."
Later in the day, a more serious challenger appeared—an older teen named Clarisse, traveling from Saffron, with a well-trained Victreebel and a strong Nidorino.
This time, Giovanni smiled to himself.
"Charizard," he called.
The gym staff blinked.
"Use Dig," Giovanni commanded.
The fiery dragon vanished into the earth with shocking grace. The crowd gasped.
Victreebel's Vine Whip lashed wildly as Charizard exploded from the ground beneath it with a flaming uppercut. Nidorino barely managed a Horn Attack before a precise Dragon Claw floored it.
Clarisse stood stunned. "But… that wasn't a Ground-type."
"Regulations were updated this morning," Giovanni said coolly, tossing her the Earth Badge. "You pushed hard. You'll go far."
James whistled from the sidelines. "Okay, that was cool."
Bonus Snip: Viridian Training Chronicles – Day One
James: "So, uh, should I wear my fencing uniform for battle training or—"
Meowth: "Buddy, the only thing ya fencing today is your dignity."
Sandile: barks approvingly
Drillbur: accidentally drills into a water pipe
Persian: sighs deeply and walks away with aristocratic disdain
Giovanni (peering out window): " This isn't going perfectly."
Next Chapter Hint: "The Rose with Thorns"