After leaving the Grampa Canyon, filled with the aura of ancient times, Ash and his companions continued along a rural path.
At a bulletin board by a crossroads, a somewhat worn missing-person notice caught their attention.
Printed on it was none other than a photo of Team Rocket's James. Beneath it was a detailed home address and a promise of a generous reward.
"Isn't that James?" Misty pointed at the notice in surprise.
"Looks like his family is desperate to get him back," Brock said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
Ash, who knew the inside story, had a flash of understanding in his eyes. He knew this was no ordinary search for a missing relative. It was actually a scheme devised by James's wealthy family, meant to lure him home so he could complete a political marriage with the well-matched young lady Jessiebelle.
"Let's go," Ash said with a slight smile, tearing down the notice. "We'll send this 'lost' James back home. And while we're at it… earn ourselves a bit of travel money."
Following the address, they arrived at a vast and magnificent Japanese-style mansion.
After explaining their purpose, they were respectfully escorted into a reception room. James's parents, an imposing middle-aged couple dressed in luxurious clothing, received them.
Sure enough, they stated their intentions without hesitation. They hoped Ash and the others could find James and persuade him to return home so he could marry Miss Jessiebelle. If they succeeded, they promised a substantial reward.
Ash did not agree immediately. Instead, he showed a shrewd smile worthy of a seasoned businessman.
"Madam, sir. Finding James and persuading him to come back isn't difficult for us. As for the reward, I trust a family of your stature wouldn't treat us poorly. However…"
His tone shifted.
"A forced melon is never sweet. Even if we bring him back, if he personally resists the marriage with all his heart, the union will likely be unhappy and may even cause greater family conflict. I have a suggestion. We can help you, but you must promise that when James returns, you won't force him to marry immediately. You must give him a chance to express his own wishes. Otherwise, we would rather give up the reward."
James's parents exchanged glances. They clearly hadn't expected such maturity and negotiation from this young Trainer.
After weighing the situation and considering James's stubborn nature after spending so long away from home, they realized that forcing him might backfire. In the end, they reluctantly agreed to Ash's condition.
With their preliminary promise secured, along with a rather generous advance for "operating expenses," Ash relied on his Aura sensing and Team Rocket's usual patterns of activity. Before long, he found James outside town in a small forest, where he was complaining to Meowth and Jessie, torn over whether he should return home to face everything.
Ash sent Misty and Brock away, along with the eavesdropping Jessie and Meowth, and met James alone.
"Twerp?! How did you find me here?" James jumped in shock.
"Relax, James," Ash said, waving his hand. "I already know about your family situation. I'm not here to drag you back for a forced marriage. I'm here to help you gain real freedom."
James looked skeptical.
Ash immediately laid out his plan.
"Your parents have already agreed that if you go back, they won't force you to marry immediately. You can propose deciding your fate with a Pokémon battle. Make it a wager: if you defeat Jessiebelle, they can never force you into marriage again and you'll be free. But if you lose, you'll accept the marriage willingly. What do you think?"
James's eyes lit up. This was an incredible opportunity. But he still hesitated.
"But… Jessiebelle…"
"Don't worry," Ash said confidently with a smile. "Jessiebelle may be a Trainer, but her main Pokémon is a Grass type Vileplume. Your Growlithe completely counters it! As long as you command it properly, your chances of winning are extremely high. This is your best chance to fight for your freedom with your own strength."
Ash's analysis filled James with excitement.
That's right, he still had Growlithe! He wasn't the weak young master who could only passively accept his family's arrangements anymore.
"Alright! I'll do it, twerp! No… Ash!" James said, finally making up his mind.
So James "voluntarily" returned home. Facing his parents and the elegantly dressed Jessiebelle, whose eyes were full of confidence, he followed the plan and proposed a Pokémon battle to decide his future.
Seeing that their son was willing to return and battle, James's parents felt there was still hope for the situation and agreed.
Jessiebelle also accepted the challenge with confidence. She didn't believe this "good-for-nothing" young master could defeat her.
The battle was held in the courtyard.
As expected, Jessiebelle sent out her ace, Vileplume. James responded with his loyal partner, Growlithe.
"Vileplume, use Petal Dance!"
"Growlithe, dodge it and use Flamethrower!"
James displayed the sharp command ability he had honed through countless experiences with Team Rocket. Growlithe also had perfect synergy with him. It nimbly avoided Vileplume's beautiful but chaotic Petal Dance and closed the distance before unleashing a powerful Flamethrower at close range.
It was super effective!
Flames instantly engulfed Vileplume, dealing heavy damage.
"Vileplume, hold on! Use Moonlight to recover!"
"I won't give you the chance! Growlithe, now use Crunch!"
Growlithe lunged forward swiftly, its sharp fangs biting down hard on Vileplume. With a cry of pain, Vileplume collapsed, completely unable to battle.
"V… Vileplume!" Jessiebelle stared in disbelief at the scene before her.
James… had won!
With his own strength, he had won his freedom.
Although James's parents were disappointed that the marriage alliance had failed, seeing the growth and determination their son had shown left them with no choice but to honor the wager.
Afterward, they kept their promise and paid Ash a reward far exceeding the amount listed on the missing-person notice, thanking him for "helping" James return home and resolve the family conflict in a relatively peaceful manner.
[Ding! Host successfully planned and assisted James in winning his freedom, receiving a generous reward (converted into equivalent World Points). Reward: 1200 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 21700 points.]
Ash accepted this "middleman fee" without the slightest guilt.
Meanwhile, after receiving his family's promise that they would no longer interfere with his marriage, James reunited with Jessie and Meowth. With an unprecedented sense of relief, and complicated feelings of gratitude toward Ash mixed with the faint sense that he had been cleverly manipulated, he once again set off on Team Rocket's life of "pursuing" rare Pokémon.
And of course, continuing to get blasted away by Pikachu.
As for Ash and his companions, with their wallets now bulging with cash and World Points, they quietly hid their accomplishments and continued their journey toward becoming Pokémon Masters.
Next chapter: Togepi finally hatches.
...
T/N: Here is the missing chapter, sry hehe