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I am so sorry that I cannot offer any help beyond saying that**

Omega: *flips page* Jessebelle, huh? *shrugs* Probably that Rocket woman's full first name.

Faux: *frowns and sweat drops* You'd lose that bet.

Gem: *tenses up and eyes widen* Wait! That's what's coming up next?!

Pike: *shivers* Really rather forget about her.

Nuevo: *stares at others warily before looking at Luke* What the **** is about to happen?

Luke: *frowns* I'm actually not sure. We have run into her before, but I was not present for this encounter.

Laura: *nods* Same.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

.

.

What The Yvel, Jessebelle?!

.

Aerodactyl swallowed and smiled blissfully, "Okay, like break."

Charizard sighed in relief before smiling at him, "Glad to hear."

For their remainder-of-the-day off, everyone basically sat around the clearing to do … well, whatever really. They also decided to take it easy and stick to Brock's extra reserves of Pokémon food for dinner. No one argued.

After that, almost everyone just lazed around the campfire in some way. The difference, this time, is that Ash was the campfire.

The ponyta laid in the middle of the area with the egg sitting near him. Soot laid next to her father with Pikachu, Clefairy, Electra, and Brock in pikachu form lying against her.

Squirtle, Misty, and Misty's team lounged around in the pool; preferring it to the heat. Though, the vaporeon remained propped up against the pool rim to keep an eye on the egg.

Bulbasaur knocked Primeape out with Sleep Powder to keep the noise down. Afterwards, the Seed Pokémon resigned to sunbathing happily as Onix, Geodude, and Muk resting near him.

Zubat found a very well shaded tree to rest under as Pidgeotto rested in the branches higher up.

And Psyduck was asleep. Because he fainted again.

Charizard, Aerodactyl, and Vulpix were the only ones still eating. They sat on the other side of the clearing so the others could relax.

Aerodactyl picked up his bowl, downed the rest of the food happily, and started chewing. He perked up when he noticed the Fox Pokémon staring at him.

The Fossil Pokémon sweat dropped and swallowed before looking at her, "Why staring at me?"

Vulpix tensed up and chuckled nervously, "S- sorry." She perked up and looked at him intently, "It's just- I have never seen one of your kind before. And to think you grew up underground. That your kind and other fossilized Pokémon are still alive after all these years."

Aerodactyl raised a brow, "What that mean?"

Charizard and Vulpix tensed up and shared a worried look.

Vulpix took a deep breath before looking at the Rock/Flying-type again, "Aerodactyl … your species was thought to be extinct."

"Oh." Aerodactyl said with a nod before putting the bowl back down.

Charizard blinked in surprise before raising a brow, "You're taking this awfully well."

Aerodactyl looked at him, "Hear about bad thing that hurt my kind long long long time ago. Ancestors lucky."

Vulpix blinked in surprise before smiling, "I guess they were. Still, it's not like you're the only aerodactyl around now-a-days. Fossil restoration has made it so your kind can show up anywhere."

Aerodactyl perked up and looked at her in confusion, "Restore? Like healing? How that help my kind? They gone."

Vulpix chuckled, "Not that kind of restore." She smiled, "They're called fossil restoration machines. They're big chamb-" She flinched a bit and sweat dropped, "uh, cylin- tube-" She groaned and muttered, "Ah, to Yvel with it." She perked up and smiled at him again, "They're really big machines that can turn any fossil -the thing that deceased beings turn into after a long enough time- and bring them back to their original, living form."

Aerodactyl's eyes widened in shock, "B- bring back ... to life? Machine bring being back to life? All machine?"

Charizard scratched the side of his head sheepishly, "Not all machines." Aerodactyl looked at him as he continued, "There are all kinds of machines that do all kinds of other things. Bringing back fossils is just what one kind can do."

Vulpix nodded with a smile, "Yeah. Pokéballs are even a kind of machine."

Aerodactyl looked back and forth between them in shock. After a moment, he looked downward and smiled softly, "Others of kind not gone forever. I not last."

Charizard smiled, "Still, you're pretty freaking unique compared to any other aerodactyl." He stood back up and stretched, "Now, come on. The sun should be setting soon. We can do some stargazing."

Aerodactyl looked at Charizard in surprise, "Stars? We see them up here?"

Vulpix smiled sadly, "You have missed out on a lot."

.

*That night

Aerodactyl laid on the ground and stared in awe at the night sky above.

Everyone else laid around the clearing and looked up calmly. All except for Psyduck, Primeape, and Electra.

Psyduck fainted yet again when the trainers changed and was returned to his pokéball. Primeape woke up furious and was returned as well. Electra wasn't watching only because she fell asleep next to Brock.

Ash, Brock, and Misty were each in pikachu form as they looked up.

Brock smiled at Aerodactyl, "So this is your first time seeing any stars, huh?"

Aerodactyl nodded slowly; still focused on the sky, "Y- yeah. First. They so bright…"

Bulbasaur looked at the Rock/Flying-type with a raised brow, "Still, I'm kind of surprised you've heard of them."

"Hear about from diglett." Aerodactyl muttered, "Imagine, but ... never see. So many..."

Soot smiled and looked up, "It's thought that most stars are other planets or suns. Most so far away that it would take lifetimes to even teleport to them."

Squirtle blinked in surprise, "Woah..."

Ash smiled, "Just goes to show how big the universe really is."

"Yeah..." Aerodactyl muttered again.

.

**Time Skip**

The next day came and went like clockwork. Ash and co. made good distance in their traveling and the day was surprisingly, and thankfully, uneventful.

A little after noon, they broke for lunch in a clearing and got into a training session. Everyone -except Brock and Electra- basically sparred with whoever.

Misty was in vaporeon form and was sparring with Geodude. Though, the Rock Pokémon had limited himself to using Rock Throw and Tackle to attack. Hidden Power was only being used to counter Misty's attacks. Seismic Toss was off the table entirely.

For the Fossil Pokémon's training, Ash was in the new nidoking form with Soot and Charizard on either side of him. Aerodactyl stood across from them. So far, things were-

"What?!" Aerodactyl shouted angrily, "Why forget strong attack for weaker attack?!"

difficult.

Ash crossed his arms, "You said you wanted to learn Fire Blast. I'm not teaching it to you unless you swear to forget either Giga Impact or Hyper Beam for it."

Aerodactyl's glared deepened, "But strong attack better! Why not have strongest attacks?!"

Charizard sighed, "Because-"

"Because it's a poor strategy."

Ash, Soot, Aerodactyl, and Charizard perked up in surprise and looked over.

Soot blinked in surprise, "Primeape? You're on our side with this?"

Primeape looked at her with a raised brow, "Why the Yvel wouldn't I be?"

Charizard sweat dropped, "We kind of thought you'd agree with Aerodactyl on this."

Ash nodded, "Since both of you like battling so much."

The Fighting-type shrugged, "Okay, fair." He looked up at the Rock/Flying-type, "But they are right. Only having strong moves doesn't make you strong. Forgetting one of those moves for Fire Blast isn't supposed to make you more powerful. It's to make you better in a battle."

Aerodactyl frowned in confusion, "I not understand. What difference?"

Primeape crossed his arms, "There's a lot of crag you have to think about when you're making your move set. Power, accuracy, after effect, the amount of times you can use it, the STAB and, one of the most important, type coverage."

Ash, Soot, and Charizard stared at Primeape in shock.

Aerodactyl blinked in surprise, "What stab and cover age?"

Ash snapped out of it and looked at Aerodactyl, "Uh ... S.T.A.B., or stab, stands for 'same type attack bonus'. It means that attacks are stronger if they're used by a Pokémon from the same type as the move. Like your Wing Attack and my current form's Poison Jab and Earthquake."

Soot shook it off before looking at him as well, "And type coverage means having one or more attacks that are strong against a type that you have a disadvantage against. Like how I have Fire Fang for Bug-types and Play Rough for Fighting-types."

Aerodactyl blinked in surprise before looking down thoughtfully. After a moment, he looked at Primeape, "So forgetting strong move for Fire Blast is good idea? Make stron- make better in battle?"

Primeape nodded with a determined glare, "I swear it is. It'll give you coverage against ..." He blinked, "um."

Soot snickered, "Ice and Steel-types." She looked up at the Fossil Pokémon, "Plus, you do have a little coverage already. Iron Head is strong against other Rock-types. Something you're Flying-type makes you vulnerable to."

Ash smiled, "And I'm not asking you to forget both of the attacks. Having Hyper Beam or Giga Impact isn't a bad thing. They're each incredibly powerful moves and can really be useful in a tough situation." His smile saddened, "But having both of them is a little redundant. They're almost exactly the same except for the execution."

Charizard smirked, "That and the recharge sucks. You should know that by now."

Aerodactyl glanced at Charizard harshly, "Don't remind." He looked at Ash, "But I still keep one?"

Ash smiled and nodded, "Yup. I'm leaving that choice up to you. Whichever attack you want more is the one you keep. The other gets forgotten for Fire Blast."

Aerodactyl grinned and nodded, "If it make better in battle, I forget one." He frowned, "But not sure which yet."

Charizard smiled, "Which is fine. We can do some basic training until you've decided." He started flapping and flew above the others, "Like some speed and air battle training with Pidgeotto. I've still gotta learn to use my wings for more than just basic flying. We could even race each other." He smirked, "A race that I'll win, obviously." He turned and flew away.

Aerodactyl grinned determinedly, "I show you! I win race!" He lifted off and started flying after the Flame Pokémon.

Ash watched as the pair left and smiled softly.

Soot looked at Primeape with a smile, "I have to admit, I did not expect that out of you."

Primeape chuckled, "Yeah. I don't blame you." He looked off to where the reptiles went, "But I like my teammates tough. He wasn't gonna get anywhere with that 'only the strong matter' mindset."

Ash smiled, "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Soot raised a brow while smiling, "Speaking of, have you decided what you'll drop for Thunder Punch?"

Primeape looked up at them and nodded, "Yeah. I'm forgetting Seismic Toss."

Ash blinked in surprise, "Really?" He raised a brow, "I kind of expected you to forget Karate Chop."

Primeape shook in disagreement, "Seismic Toss may be strong but it takes a little too long for my taste. I like fighting fast, up close, and hand to hand. Don't get me wrong, I wanna drop Karate Chop for a better Fighting-type attack eventually, but right now my goal is Thunder Punch."

Soot blinked in surprise, "huh…" She smiled, "Okay, I admit. I've been underestimating you." She glanced to the side and mumbled, "Been doing that a lot lately."

Ash raised a brow, "Though, if you want to upgrade from Karate Chop, my pikachu form knows Brick Break."

Primeape perked up and looked up at Ash in surprise. He glared, "And I'm only just hearing about this now?!"

Ash tensed up and chuckled nervously, "You never asked?"

Soot glanced at Ash with a sly smirk, "Smooth." She turned and started walking away, "Well, it looks like you've got your claws full with training. I'll go see how the others are doing."

.

*Campsite

Electra sat on the table as Brock cooked and watched everyone else with a bored expression. She was currently wearing the raichu shirt again.

She looked up at her trainer, "Pika-Chu, chu pi-" She stopped and perked up before groaning, "right…"

Brock noticed and looked at her, "Everything alright, Electra?"

Electra looked up at him and nodded with a smile.

Brock frowned, "If you're sure. But don't be afraid to go get Ash or Soot if you need to tell me something."

Electra nodded again before looking ahead. Brock went back to cooking after a moment.

The Electric-type's ears popped back up when she heard a bush rustling. She looked over right as Soot walked back into the clearing, shook the leaves off herself, and walked over to the sparring Pokémon.

Electra watched her for a moment before she perked up in realization. She hopped down from the table and ran over to the Dark-type, "Soot!"

Soot perked up and looked at her in surprise, "Electra? Hey, you alright?"

Electra nodded, "Yeah. But there's something I wanna ask you."

Soot raised a brow, "Uh, sure. "

Electra took a deep breath before blurting out, "I want you to-"

A loud whooshing sounded out in the clearing as Charizard, Aerodactyl, and Pidgeotto shot by overhead. Pidgeotto was in the lead, Charizard was in second, and Aerodactyl was begrudgingly in third.

Soot blinked in surprise, "Wait, really?"

Electra looked up at Soot with a worried frown, "Is that alright?"

Soot nodded, "Well, yeah. Of course, it is. I'm just a little shocked it took you this long to ask."

Electra perked up in surprise, "Huh?"

Mizuro: *glares at Ohirume* That was a **** move and you know it.

Ohirume: Well aware. I do not regret it.

.

*The next day

The group made their way down a long trail as they continued on their journey. Pikachu and Clefairy stood on Ash's shoulders, and Electra on Brock's backpack as usual. Electra was dressed up in the purple and dark gray jacket with the white belt. Misty held the egg in its case close to her as Soot walked alongside her.

The Water trainer looked down at the Bite Pokémon, "Do you really think they'll hatch soon?"

Soot smiled up at her, "Pretty sure. The egg was already in a good condition when we found them, and Dad's been helping with Heat Body for the last two days. If we keep this up, I'd estimate less than a week until they're running around."

Misty perked up in surprise before she looked down at the egg. She smiled softly. After a moment, she perked up upon realizing something, "Wait, running?" She glared at Soot, "I told you I didn't want any hints."

Soot sweat dropped and chuckled nervously, "Sorry. It just slipped out."

Ash chuckled before smiling, "What's more, that's about how close I am to finishing the Lockdown upgrade on the Lenses. It might even be done before they hatch."

Brock smiled excitedly, "Alright!"

Misty smiled happily and pumped a fist, "I can't wait!"

Electra looked ahead and perked up in surprise before pointing, "Hey. What's that?"

Ash, Soot, Pikachu, and Clefairy looked at her in confusion before following her gaze.

Soot sweat dropped, "Electra, that's a sign. Probably for the next town or city."

Electra nodded, "Oh." She raised a brow; still looking at the sign, "So, does that mean we're close to Miss Ing Town?"

Ash looked at her in confusion, "What?" He looked again before perking up, "Oh. Sorry, Electra, our bad. That's a missing person's … sign."

The trainers and Soot stopped in their tracks as everyone -except Electra- perked up in surprise. They shared a worried look.

The female Mouse Pokémon frowned worriedly as her ears drooped, "Is everything alright?"

Pikachu looked at Electra, "If we're lucky, yes."

Clefairy frowned, "Last time we saw one of those, a bunch of human kids had been missing for a few days."

Ash frowned, "Yeah. And finding one out here, in the middle of nowhere, isn't any less concerning." He looked back and forth between the Gym Leaders and translated for the Mouse and Fairy Pokémon.

Misty frowned before removing her backpack and placing the egg in it, "Yeah. It was really freaky."

Brock started walking again, "Let's take a look."

Everyone else followed. They came up to the sign momentarily and their eyes widened in shock.

It depicted a young boy with blue hair and green eyes. He was wearing a blue vest with a gold rim, a white undershirt, and a very short light green tie with a red jewel at the base. Though, none of that was the shocking part.

"JAMES?!" All of them blurted out.

"What the Yvel?!" Brock said in shock.

"That can't actually be him, right?!" Misty followed, "It's just some kid that looks like him!"

Clefairy snapped out of it and nodded with a glare, "R- right! They just look alike!"

Electra nodded as well, "Like a doppelganger!"

Ash shook his head, "No way. I've had all of their faces memorized since Cerulean. That's actually him."

Pikachu continued staring, "But ... how?"

Soot was about to say something but was cut off when a limousine pulled up and screeched to a halt next to them. Everyone looked over at it in surprise. Electra's eyes lit up in awe.

The door in the back opened as an old man with balding gray hair and a mustache appeared with a megaphone in hand.

"Have you seen that boy in the photo?!" The man shouted.

Ash, Soot, Pikachu, and Electra flinched and covered their ears in response. Soot had to lie down to do so. Brock, Misty, and Clefairy sweat dropped.

Electra recovered and glanced at the device curiously, 'Is he really that loud or is it that thing?'

Ash shook it off before nodding, "Y- yeah. If you mean a Team Rocket agent named James."

"JOLLY GOOD!" The man shouted with tears streaming down his face, "EUREKA!"

The omnitrix user, Bite Pokémon, and two Mouse Pokémon flinched and covered their ears again.

"Hey!" Pikachu shouted, "Enough with the megaphone, already!"

Electra perked up and looked at Pikachu curiously, "It's called a megaphone?"

The man looked at the group; still shouting through the megaphone, "Quick, to the estate!"

Misty blinked in surprise, "Wait, what do you-"

The man cut her off as he grabbed everyone and shoved them into the limo. It drove off a moment later.

Illavera: … did he just kidnap them?

Faux: *sighs* Yup.

After the vehicle left, Jessie, James, and Meowth popped up out of a nearby bush. Jessie and Meowth hurried over to the sign. James trudged along after them.

Jessie put a hand to her chin, "Hmm. The twerp might've had a point. This kid does look a lot like you."

James looked at her before glaring at the sign, "I think he looks pathetic."

Meowth grinned, "Yeah. That's what she means."

Jessie smiled and clenched a fist, "Right! We'd better go investigate."

Meowth nodded, "Yeah!"

The pair broke into a sprint down the road.

James watched his teammates run off before looking at the sign worriedly, 'What are you up to this time?'

.

*In the limo

The group sat in silence as they sat across from the man. All of the shoulder riders were nudged up against their trainers' apprehensively.

Soot moved closer to Ash and whispered; eyes already in the banette theme, "Dad, say the word, and I phase us and the engine out of this thing."

"Make that Plan C." Ash whispered back, "Let's see what he wants first."

Misty glanced at Ash and whispered, "What happened to Plan B?"

"That'll be a follow up if Plan A doesn't go well." Ash whispered before glancing at Soot, "Obedience intimidation."

Soot glanced back, shifted her eyes back to normal, and nodded, "Got it."

Everyone else nodded.

Brock looked at the man, "So, would you mind telling us what all of this is about?"

"You'll find out when we get there." The man said sternly.

'Plan B, it is.' Ash's eyes narrowed, "Or we could find out now." He held up a hand and snapped.

Soot gave a quick smirk before jumping down from the seat. She glared at the man furiously and started growling. Brock, Misty, Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra smirked.

The man flinched, "What are you doing?! Restrain that beast this instant!"

Ash's eye twitched and he snapped again. The Dark-type open her mouth and formed a Shadow Ball.

The man grimaced and held out a hand, "Alright, alright! I'll tell you!"

Ash smiled wickedly, "Thank you." He snapped one more time.

Soot dispelled the Shadow Ball and closed her mouth. She walked back over to Ash and sat down in front of him.

Ash smiled and petted her, "Well done, sweetie."

Soot tensed up before shooting Ash a harsh glance.

Ash smirked before glaring at the man, "Now, what's this about?"

The man sighed in relief before frowning, "I can't disclose all of the details right now for fear of security. But my name is Hopkins and I'm the butler to the family of Master James."

Electra and Clefairy blinked in confusion, "Butler?"

Soot sweat dropped, 'Master?'

Brock stared in surprise, "Are you actually saying that James is rich?"

Pikachu and Misty just stared in shock. Ash blinked in surprise.

Hopkins nodded, "Quite. An urgent family ordeal has arisen, and I must find him. You all said you know him, so I gathered you up in hopes that you might help. Right now, we're en route to his family's home."

Misty sweat dropped, "Couldn't you have said all of that without kidnapping us?"

The butler frowned, "Well would you have listened if I hadn't?"

"Yes." Ash responded; deadpanned, "We probably would've agreed to help, too."

Soot groaned, "I can't believe I went and used the intimidation tactic for nothing."

Hopkins flinched and stared at Soot in shock, "What in the world?!" He looked at Ash in shock, "It speaks?!"

Ash clenched a fist as his eyes flickered with Intimidate. Everyone else -except Soot- sweat dropped.

Soot rolled her eyes, "Yeah. Talking dog. Big whoop." She looked at the butler, "You have any snacks in here?"

Electra perked up and looked at Soot before saying something.

Soot pointed a paw towards the Electric-type without looking, "Also, Electra wants to see the megaphone."

.

**Time Skip**

By now the group had calmed down from the little stunt before. Ash, Brock, and Misty were each given a cup of tea. Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra were each eating a biscuit. Soot was given some treats made for canine Pokémon that the limo had a wide selection of; which they all thought was kind of weird.

Electra got to examine the megaphone for about two minutes before she accidently turned on the siren. Ash quickly managed to turn it off and gave it back to Hopkins. Now Electra was looking around the limo itself curiously. Though, she shot the device a wary glance every so often.

The limo stopped before a gate. It opened a second later and the limo drove through.

After about twenty minutes of driving, Ash frowned and looked at the butler, "Hey, Hopkins. How much farther is the estate?"

The man looked at him, "We're almost at the end of the driveway."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Seriously? It seems like we drove past the front gate a half-hour ago."

"Twenty-two minutes, actually." Soot said.

Pikachu looked out a window and jerked, "Woah!"

Everyone followed his gaze and perked up in surprise at the sight of a huge, two-story yellow and white mansion with a blue roof.

Misty sweat dropped while staring in shock, "F- freaking Yvel."

Clefairy blinked in shock, "It's so big."

Brock gulped, "I think I've seen shopping malls smaller than that place."

Electra's eyes lit up as she smiled brightly, "Insane!" She perked up and looked at Brock curiously, "Wait. Shopping mall?"

Soot looked at the Mouse Pokémon, "We'll explain later."

The limousine pulled up between the building and a large fountain momentarily. Everyone except Hopkins exited the vehicle and looked up at it in awe.

"It's even bigger up close." Clefairy muttered in awe.

Electra smiled brightly as her tail wagged, "It's almost as big as the hospital!"

Ash blinked, "Y- yeah. It's the biggest mansion I've ever seen."

"THAT IS NOT THE MANSION!" Hopkins shouted through the megaphone again; making everyone cover their ears. Ash, Soot, Pikachu, and Electra grimaced from getting the worst of it.

Misty noticed before glaring at the butler, "Will you stop that?! Some of us have really sensitive hearing!"

The man frowned before putting the megaphone down, "As I was saying, that is not the mansion. This little doghouse is for Growlie. The favorite Pokémon of Master James."

Soot and Ash raised a brow, 'Growlie?' They perked up in realization, 'Ohhh. That explains all the treats.' Their eyes widened in surprise, 'Wait, James has a growlithe?!'

Hopkins looked to the side, "That is the master's mansion."

Everyone followed his gaze and appropriately flinched as they stared in shock. This mansion was four-stories, gray, and had a greenish-blue roof. Lining the roof were numerous statues depicting various Pokémon.

"Dear Arc!" Soot blurted out.

"How the Yvel did we miss that?!" Brock asked in shock.

Electra fell forward to lay on Brock's backpack and fainted.

Misty looked at the downed Electric-type before looking at the mansion again, "No kidding."

Hopkins walked over to the mansion and gestured to the front door, "Please follow me." He continued walking.

Everyone snapped out of it and Brock moved his Mouse Pokémon to his arms before they followed him. Upon entering, everyone perked up in surprise at the pair of coffins sitting on a large platform covered in flower petals.

Misty frowned worriedly, "Coffins? Was there a funeral?"

Hopkins sighed sadly before looking at a picture, "My master and mistress had only one child. A boy named James."

Everyone else looked at the picture as well. It depicted a younger James with a growlithe in his arms, his father standing behind him with a cane, and his mother sitting in a wicker chair with a yellow parasol in hand. The father had dark gray hair and green eyes. The mother had purple hair and brown eyes.

The butler looked back at the group, "This morning, James's parents passed away. This estate is now his."

Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Clefairy jerked in surprise at the news. Ash and Soot just stared in shock before looking at the coffins again. The pair frowned.

.

*In the attic; tRio

"What?!" Jessie and Meowth blurted out in a harsh whisper before looking at their teammate in shock.

"Is this place really yours?!" Jessie blurted out, "Why didn't you ever tell us you were rich?!"

James frowned and glanced to the side, "I've told you about my parents before."

Meowth pointed at the vent, "Well, ya left out a pretty freakin' big detail!"

"It's so frightfully tragic."

Jessie and Meowth perked up as the butler continued. They moved closer to the vent and went back to eavesdropping. The twerps were all looking at the platform sadly. Pikachu and the Phantom Child's ears were drooping, and the 'Phantom' had his hat in his hands.

"After Master James ran away," Hopkins said, "his parents no longer had the strength to go on. Their hearts were broken."

James glared at the vent, 'They seemed fine for more than a few years, apparently.'

"That's so sad." Clefairy and Misty said sadly.

The Dark-type looked down sadly before shaking it off and looking at the platform, "He- he needs to know about this."

Ash nodded, "Yeah. We need to find him real soon."

"REAL SOON WON'T DO!" Hopkins shouted through the megaphone; startling everyone.

James sweat dropped, 'He's still doing that?'

.

*Back on the ground

Electra jerked awake and looked around frantically, "What happened?!" Her eyes widened in awe when she finally saw where they were. She started looking around curiously.

Brock glared at the butler, "What did we say about the megaphone?!"

Hopkins frowned before putting the device away again. He glared, "Real soon won't do. His parents' will clearly states that Master James must marry his fiancée within twenty-four hours of their passing."

The human speakers' eyes all widened in shock, 'FIANCÉE?!'

"If not," The butler continued, "this entire estate will no longer belong to him but will be donated to charity. I must find him at once."

Everyone stared in shock before sharing a look.

Hopkins took a deep breath, "If you need time to think it over, you're free to do so outside. Just know that the deadline is Eight O' Nine tomorrow morning."

.

*Soon after; front door

Everyone sat around the steps in silence.

After a minute, Ash spoke up, "I think we should help."

Everyone -except Soot- perked up and looked at him in surprise.

"What?!" Misty asked before glaring, "Why should we help him after all the trouble he, Jessie, and Meowth have put us through?!"

Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra each nodded with a glare, "Yeah!"

Soot glanced around, "Guys, put yourself in his shoes. Both of his parents just passed away." She frowned as her ears drooped, "He should, at least, get to say goodbye."

The four of them looked at Soot before frowning.

Misty looked down sadly, "I didn't think about it like that. Maybe you're right."

Ash smiled sadly and nodded, "Glad we agree."

Brock frowned, "Still, how are we supposed to find them?"

Soot smirked with a raised brow, "You say that as if we don't run into them one to five times a week."

Misty frowned and held out a hand, "Well, sure. But it can't always be that easy."

"No! Never!" A familiar voice cried out.

"Careful, James!" Jessie shouted.

Everyone perked up and looked upwards as the tRio fell off the roof of the mansion. They landed in a heap on the ground in front of them and started groaning.

Misty blinked in surprise, "I stand corrected."

Clefairy looked at the Water trainer in confusion, "But you're sitting."

Ash sweat dropped, "It's an expression, Clefairy." He looked at the tRio, "So, you were eavesdropping the whole time, huh?"

Meowth hopped out of the heap and looked back at them with a smirk, "Yvel, yeah, we were!"

Jessie followed suit and smiled slyly, "And you can bet that James is going in there to get that inheritance!"

James recovered and got on his knees before looking up at his teammates, "No, I'm not!"

The Mouse and Fairy Pokémon all perked up and looked at Soot.

Soot noticed and deadpanned, "Wrong kind of inheritance." She sighed before looking at the male Rocket sadly, "James, I don't know what happened between you all, but they're still your parents. The least you could do is come to their funeral."

James glared at her, "Never!"

The group all flinched and stared at him in shock. Jessie and Meowth each shot him a glance. James noticed the latter, frowned, and looked down worriedly.

"Look James," Jessie said in frustration, "we're becoming very annoyed with you."

Meowth crossed his forepaws, "Don't ya wanna become da richest guy in da world?"

"I, uh-" James stuttered before his eyes widened slightly. He grabbed his head and cried out, "AH! I feel like my head is splitting! I can't remember anything that happened back then!"

Brock flinched, "Huh?!"

Misty looked upwards worriedly, "Maybe that fall was worse than we thought."

James perked up and pointed at her, "Y- yes! That must be it!"

Ash and Soot looked at the man in confusion.

James glanced to the side, "I- I only remember a few things before joining Team Rocket. Like Pokémon Tech, and mine and Jessie's old bicycle gang."

Ash, Brock, Misty, Soot, Pikachu, and Clefairy perked up in surprise and shared a look.

Electra noticed before frowning, 'Why do I always feel left out with stuff like this?'

Jessie stepped closer to him and glared, "Who cares? It doesn't matter what you remember. Just take the cash."

Ash snapped out of it and looked at her, "Wait a second. The will says James can't collect his inheritance without marrying his fiancée."

Soot sweat dropped, "Also, James apparently has a fiancée."

Jessie looked at the group with a smirk, "Well then we'll fake a wedding and scram with the money."

James glanced at her before looking away with a hand on his head, "That's ridiculous."

Jessie glared at him, "Ridiculous?! This entire estate will be all yours!"

Meowth looked at James with a determined glare, "Yeah! We could make dis place our hideout and live in da lap of luxury!"

Brock sweat dropped and muttered to the others, "He does realize he just said that in front of us, right?"

"Doubt it." Misty said; deadpanned.

"I won't do it!" James shrieked before jumping to his feet and breaking into a sprint.

Jessie and Meowth stared in surprise before sharing a look and smirking.

Before James could make it past the fountain, a pair of lassos shot forward and tied him up. James glanced back to see his teammates holding the ropes.

Soot stared in surprise, 'Where were they hiding the rope?'

James started struggling, "Let me go! I don't want to!"

Misty glared, "Hey! You can't force him to get married!"

Brock nodded, "He should be free to decide for himself!"

Jessie glared back at them, "Put a sock in it!"

Meowth glared as well, "Keep ya dumb opinions to ya'selfs!"

Everyone frowned and shared a worried look. Jessie and Meowth forced James into a nearby bush and ducked down. After about a minute, they reappeared. The group looked over and deadpanned.

James was in a dark blue tuxedo with a white undershirt and black tie. He also had a white sash covering his mouth and a terrified look in his eyes. Jessie and Meowth were each wearing black stagehand outfits with a black veil covering their faces.

"Dis'll do da trick!" Meowth called out as he held James's legs.

Jessie smirked while holding James's arms up, "These invisible costumes are perfect."

The pair forced James over to the door and knocked.

"Yes. Coming." Hopkins called out from the other side.

Everyone else just stood a few feet back and watched.

Soot sweat dropped, "They can't be serious, right?"

Ash sighed, "Unfortunately, I think they are, Soot."

Misty pinched the bridge of her nose, "There is no chance in Yvel that that Hopkins guy is gonna fall for this."

Brock, Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra nodded.

The door opened a second later and Hopkins looked at the tRio curiously, "May I help you, sir?"

Jessie smirked and spoke in a slightly deeper voice; trying to sound like James, "It's me, James. I've come back."

"W- welcome home, sir!" Hopkins said happily through the megaphone.

Meowth tensed up and grimaced from the sound. Everyone else's eyes widened in shock.

Hopkins put the megaphone down and smiled excitedly, "Your parents shall be most pleased to see that you've returned." He opened the door wider and gestured for them to come in, "Please come in."

"Thank you." Jessie said in her 'disguised' voice again.

Meowth and Jessie pushed James inside. Hopkins followed while leaving the door open.

Pikachu just stared in shock and stuttered, "I- uh … what?"

Clefairy blinked in surprise, "How did that work?"

Ash blinked in surprise, "I, uh ... I wish I could tell you, Clefairy." He perked up upon realizing something before looking at the others, "Wait. Did Hopkins just say James's parents would be happy to see him?"

Everyone else perked up in surprise. They all shared a look before running to the door and peaking inside.

Hopkins and the tRio were standing in front of the coffins. Jessie and Meowth had James on his knees with his hands together respectfully.

"I'm going to get married, just like it says in your will." Jessie said for James, "And I want cash. Not a check."

Hopkins moved closer and put a hand to his ear, "What's that?"

Jessie and Meowth tensed up before Jessie said, "I- I mean- I'm only joking, of course."

The group sweat dropped.

James glanced back at Jessie worriedly as she continued, "Oh, mom and dad. I wish I'd come back sooner."

A pair of chuckles came from the coffins.

Jessie perked up in surprise, "Huh?"

"H- hey," Meowth said warily, "who's dat?"

The coffin on the right burst open as James's father appeared, "Prepare for trouble!"

The left one burst open to reveal James's mother with a fan, "Yes, dear, and make it double!"

"AH!" Jessie and Meowth cried out before falling backwards. James fell back by force.

The mother smirked, "Oh, James dear, we're so happy you've come back home."

The father smiled, "And you're even wearing a suit. How thoughtful."

Jessie stared in shock, "Wha- what the?"

Meowth stared as well, "What's goin' on here? Are dey ghosts?"

James tore off the sash before glaring at the Normal-type, "They aren't ghosts, you furry imbecile!" He looked at Jessie, "It's just like them to pull a stunt like this!"

Meowth's eyes narrowed, "Wait. Den does dat mean-"

Jessie deadpanned as she continued for Meowth, "You were faking having amnesia?"

James tensed up before glaring at her and pointing at his parents, "Well, can you really blame me after seeing this?!"

James's father took a step forward, "You've made it just in time, James. Any longer and your fiancée might've grown impatient."

James's mother smiled and looked at the butler, "Hopkins, begin the preparations."

Hopkins smiled and lifted the entire tRio under his arms, "At once, madam!"

The butler ran up a flight of stairs with the tRio in tow. The parents ran after them; laughing the entire time.

The group walked inside a moment later and stared up at the second-floor doorway in shock.

Electra blinked, "What just happened?"

"So," Brock said in a daze, "James's parents and Hopkins faked this whole thing ... just to bring James home ... and get him married."

Ash blinked, "And James knew all along and pretended to have amnesia to try escaping."

Soot frowned, "Crag. He looked so freaked out that I couldn't even tell."

Pikachu sweat dropped with his ears drooping, "So this is what it feels like to be manipulated."

Clefairy and Electra slumped forward and groaned.

Misty looked at the others worriedly, "Should we follow them or…"

Ash frowned, "Normally, I'd say no. But if it's bad enough to have James that scared, I think it's better that we do."

Brock frowned, "I'm not sure about that. They are still his family, after-"

"Do I have a duty to be manipulated?!" James shouted.

Everyone flinched and looked at the doorway in surprise.

"Okay, never mind." Brock said before he and everyone else hurried up the stairs.

.

*tRio, James's parents, and Hopkins

"Do I have a duty to be manipulated?!" James shouted angrily as his teammates held him down in a chair.

Jessie and Meowth slapped a hand over his mouth. The three of them failed to notice the twerps peaking in.

James's mother smiled softly, "We only want what's best for us." She tensed up and forced a smile, "I- I mean, best for you."

James's father crossed his arms, "A man who can't settle down is like a combee without a nose. It'll never sniff the daffodils of life."

Misty leaned closer to Ash and whispered, "Do combee have noses?"

Ash shook his head, "They don't even have nostrils. It's all the antenna."

The mother smiled again and brought the fan to her face, "You'll learn to be a real gentleman once you marry the right girl." She moved closer and spun the chair around, "And here she is."

James looked ahead and tensed up. Jessie and Meowth moved closer to follow his gaze and looked curiously.

A woman with red, curled hair and a yellow bow sat in a wicker chair with a fan over her face.

"As James's wife," James's mother said to the woman, "it'll be your duty to change him from a worthless do-nothing into a respectable gentleman. My dear, Jessebelle."

The group frowned at the mother's words.

"As you wish, mother." Jessebelle said happily; face still covered by the fan. She slowly started moving the fan away.

Ash and Soot perked up and blinked in surprise upon hearing her voice. Pikachu, Clefairy, and Brock noticed and looked at them in confusion.

Brock raised a brow and whispered, "What is it?" Misty and Electra looked at the pair as well.

Ash looked at the others with a frown, "Nothing, I think. It's just … something about her voice."

Soot nodded, "Yeah. It's weirdly familiar."

Misty blinked in surprise, "Familiar?" She looked back inside, and her eyes widened in shock, "Oh my Arc."

Everyone else followed her gaze and their jaws dropped.

Jessebelle had fully removed the fan from her face to reveal that she looked like a carbon copy of Jessie. Meowth and the actual Jessie were staring in shock.

Nuevo: Okay, but why, though?

Omega: *looks at clipboard before smirking* PokéSins brought up the same thing.

"Doppelganger, right?" Electra asked in a daze.

Soot nodded; equally dazed, "Y- yeah. Seems like it."

Ash blinked, "Doesn't make it any less weird."

Clefairy sighed in relief, "Oh, thank Arceus! You see it too!"

"Freaking Yvel." Meowth said in shock, "Dat girl looks exactly like you, Jess."

Jessie raised a brow, "Really? I don't see it."

James glanced at her and sweat dropped, "You're kidding right? I seriously thought you were her in a bad disguise up until we joined the bicycle gang."

Jessie glared at him, "What do you mean 'bad disguise'?"

"Later." James said before he looked back and forth between his teammates, "Right now, we have to get out of here!"

"Don't be ridiculous." Jessie said; still glaring, "How can we get your inheritance if you don't get married? You've got to go through with it."

Meowth looked up at James, "If you won't do it for ya'self, den do it for da team. We're countin' on you to make us all filthy stinkin' rich."

James glared at him, "That isn't the problem!" He started struggling in the chair, "Now let me go! I'm not doing it!"

Jessebelle smiled calmly as she watched, "Is something wrong? Why ever do you keep talkin' to yourself like that, James?"

The group deadpanned, 'Seriously?'

"Say," Jessebelle said happily before standing up, "here's an idea. Let's go down to the vault and count all the money you'll inherit."

Jessie and Meowth smiled excitedly with the former covering James's mouth again.

Jessie cleared her throat before using her disguised voice again, "Sounds great."

James's father smiled and clapped, "Wonderful! We'll go get everything ready for you to meet us down there."

The group tensed up and moved away from the door. The parents and Hopkins hurried out of the room and ran down the hall a moment later. Soon after, Jessebelle and the tRio exited and walked down the same hall.

After they all left, the group reappeared pressed up against a wall. The humans were kneeling down, and each had a hand on the banette-eyed mightyena in some way. The Mouse and Fairy Pokémon all stood on her back. The humans let go before they stood back up. The rest of the Pokémon jumped back to their respective spots on their trainers.

Everyone let out a relieved sigh.

"Okay," Brock said, "that was close."

Pikachu frowned, "Yeah. Too close."

Misty looked down the hall worriedly, "Should we follow them? I don't want things getting out of hand."

Soot shifted her eyes back to normal, looked where the family and the tRio went, and sweat dropped, "I don't think that'll be a problem. We're pretty much past the point of no return, already."

Ash glared while following Soot's line of sight, "Besides, I have a really bad feeling about this."

.

*Jessebelle and Rocketrio

The quartet made their way down an unlit subterranean staircase. Jessie and Meowth were forcing James along as Jessie covered James's mouth again.

Jessebelle held a lit, three-pronged candelabra as she led the way, "After you disappeared, your mother and father were so worried about you. As was I of course." She smiled and glanced back at James, "But I knew one day you'd come back to me."

James tried to argue. But it failed.

Jessie smiled, "I'm sorry for running away. But everything is going to be just fine now that I'm back here with my money."

Jessebelle blinked in surprise, "What?"

Jessie grimaced before sweat dropping with a forced smile, "I- I mean back here with you … h- honey."

The group looked down at them from a hallway near the top of the stairs.

Misty looked around before sweat dropping, "This place needs better security."

They followed the four of them slowly.

Jessebelle came up to a large metal door and looked back with a smile, "Here we are at the vault. Let's go inside." Her smile turned sly, "Your inheritance is inside." She pressed a button next to the door.

Jessie and Meowth's eyes lit up and they smiled excitedly as the door started opening. James stared in wary confusion, 'This isn't the vault…'

"Cha-ching." Jessie said happily as she pushed James inside.

Jessebelle smirked before slipping in as well.

"WHAT THE YVEL?!" Jessie and Meowth cried out from inside.

Ash and co. perked up before hurrying towards the door. They peaked inside and their eyes widened in pure shock.

The contents consisted of a wide selection of workout equipment such as punching bags, a treadmill, some vault boxes, and a weightlifting bench. There were also some … other items like a wrecking ball, a small obstacle course with spikes, a pendulum saw, and a spinning knife throwing wheel with a mannequin strapped to it.

Luke, Laura, and Amber Mewtwo: WHAT THE YVEL?!

Omega, Mizuro, Nuevo, Illavera: WHAT THE ####?!

Shadow Peridot: ... This seems rather concerning.

Electra gulped, "S- so ... this isn't normal for a human house. Right?"

Ash just continued staring in shock, "No, Electra, this is just about the opposite of normal."

Meowth looked around in shock, "What's goin' on here?! Why does dis place look like a workout dojo mixed with an armory?!"

"What kind of inheritance is this?!" Jessie blurted out; equally shocked.

James broke out of their grips and glared at them, "Don't you fools get it?! Jessebelle and my parents tricked you two into getting me down here!"

Jessie blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

Meowth looked over his outfit, "But how could dey of spotted us?"

James's eye twitched before shouting, "IMBECILES!" His teammates flinched as a response.

A small drum sounded out through the room and a spotlight shined down on a crate. Everyone looked over to see James's father holding the drum in question and glaring at James.

"Your mother and I are tired of waiting for you to grow up." The man said before hitting the drum twice.

A flute sounded as another spotlight lit up over the mother; catching everyone's attention.

James's mother smiled wickedly with the flute in her hands, "James, it's time to face the music." She started playing again.

Everyone jumped as a whip cracked and they looked over one more time. A third spotlight lit up over Jessebelle. She was dressed up in a dark red circus tamer's outfit with white pants and maroon heeled boots that stretched well past her knees.

"You can't just do whatever you feel like anymore." The doppelganger said before cracking the whip again, "Now you'll obey" She smiled slyly, "Jessebelle." She giggled and held her arms out to the side, "Let the taming begin!"

Ash, Brock, Misty, Soot, Pikachu, Clefairy, and Electra just stared at the woman in shock. None of them knew what to say about … that.

Meowth stared in shock, "Okay … maybe dis was a mistake."

Jessie sweat dropped with a nervous smile, "B- but I'm sure that inheritance will make it all worth it."

"Inheritance?!" James's mother said as she jumped down and looked at the pair with a sly smirk, "What makes you think you two are gettin' that?!"

The female Rocket and Normal-type flinched and looked at the woman in shock.

James's father jumped down and smirked too, "Once our boy becomes the man he supposed to be, he'll have no need for you ruffians."

"W- wait!" Meowth blurted out, "You can see us?!"

Jessie took a step back, "But our invisibility suits!"

James face palmed.

The father's smile finally faded as he sweat dropped, "Are you referring to those stagehand uniforms? What sort of fools do you take us for?"

The mother smirked, "We just ignored you until you brought James down here to the dungeon."

Meowth placed the side of his forepaw into the pad of his other, "Dat's da word I was lookin' for."

Jessie glared, "In that case, we're out of here! No money means no wedding!"

She pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it to the ground. The cloud shrouded the entire room near instantly. James and his parents could be heard coughing.

"Jessie! Meowth! Don't leave me!" James cried out from the smoke.

"At last, we're together." Jessebelle's voice followed cheerfully, "I'm so happy."

"AH!"

"You won't escape from me again, James!" Jessebelle called out happily.

The group tensed up when they heard whipping, crashing, and screaming come from the cloud. The smoke cleared momentarily, and their eyes widened in shock.

James's parent sat at a small table with an umbrella. Each had a teacup in their hands. Hopkins stood next to them and smiled casually with a teapot in his right hand. He also had a dazed Jessie and Meowth under his left arm.

During this, Jessebelle was chasing James around the room with the whip. The male Rocket was screaming the entire time.

"Those two were made for one another." The father said happily, "Just like you and I, my precious."

The mother smiled calmly, "It's a perfect match."

James ran by the table with Jessebelle behind him and shouted, "If you two weren't such lousy parents, you'd stop this mad woman!"

Hopkins smiled calmly and held up the pot, "Would anyone care for another cup?"

Electra stared in shock, "Okay … really not insane."

Pikachu sweat dropped, "Well, it is, but not in the good way."

Clefairy frowned, "No wonder James ran away from home."

Brock looked at the others warily, "We should help, right?"

Soot stared at the breeder in shock, "Wha-" She glared and whispered harshly, "Yes! Why the Yvel is that even a question?!"

Ash glared at the scene, "Even with all the trouble they've caused us up until now, this isn't something I can just ignore." He ducked away and started dialing on the watch, "Soot, you've been keeping track of the path down here, right?"

Soot nodded as she ducked away too, "Yeah. I have the route memorized." The Gym Leaders moved away from the opening as well.

"Good." The watch user responded; still focused on the device, "I'll cause a distraction and get James out of there. Pikachu, you're with me. Everyone else, get Jessie and Meowth back to the surface. We'll meet you there with James."

Everyone else nodded, "Got it."

Pikachu and Clefairy jumped down from Ash's shoulders. Clefairy then ran over to Soot and jumped on her back.

Misty smirked, "So what kind of distraction did you have in mind?"

Ash stopped spinning the dial and smirked, "The big kind." He ran to the center of a hallway and slapped down the dial.

.

*In the room

"AH!" James shrieked as Jessebelle's whip wrapped around his ankle and forced him to the ground. He managed to sit up and looked back at her fearfully.

Jessebelle smiled and pulled out a pokéball, "Oh, James. I just knew you'd fall for me." She reeled back and threw the ball, "Go Vileplume."

The Flower Pokémon appeared in a flash and turned to face James, "Vileplume."

James grimaced, "No! Not again!"

Jessebelle smirked wickedly, "I'll make a gentleman of you even if it destroys us!" She held out a hand, "Vileplume, keep my James from escapin' with Stun-"

"NIDOOOOO!"

Everyone in the room -except Jessie and Meowth- flinched and looked at the door in surprise. The two Rockets managed to come to and looked at the door in tired confusion.

A loud, heavy stomping could be heard outside. And it was getting louder.

James's mother blinked in surprise, "What is that?"

Her answer came in the form of a nidoking charging through the door headfirst and knocking it to the ground. Jessie and Meowth flinched and their eyes widened in shock.

"KING!" The Poison/Ground-type shouted triumphantly.

James's father jumped to his feet and stared in shock, "What on earth?!"

The Drill Pokémon glanced down at James and smirked before glaring at Jessebelle. James's eyes widened in surprise.

Jessebelle grimaced before looking at her Grass/Poison-type, "Vileplume! Stop that monster!"

'Well, she got one of the Egg Groups right.' The nidoking thought.

He opened his mouth and charged a Fire Blast. Vileplume tensed up and took a step back.

Jessebelle stared at her Pokémon in shock, "Vileplume!"

Nidoking smirked before unleashing the Fire Blast on the ground. Everyone present shielded themselves as a large cloud of smoke filled the room again. Hopkins let go of the duo in the process.

James managed to get himself out of the whip's grip and back to his feet. He started looking around warily.

"Ka-pika!"

James flinched and looked down to find the Twerp's pikachu looking up at him.

Pikachu gestured for him to follow, "Chu pi!" He ran off into the smoke cloud.

James stared in shock. After weighing his options for less than a second, he decided to follow the Electric-type. He exited the smoke cloud only to come face to face with the nidoking. Before he could do anything, the Poison/Ground-type slapped a claw over his mouth, lifted him up, and ran out the door. Pikachu ran alongside them.

"Mmph!" James cried out with the massive hand over his face.

By the time they reached the steps, James managed to wriggle out of the nidoking's grip and fell to the ground. Nidoking and Pikachu stopped and looked back at him.

James flinched before calling out, "SOMEONE, HEL-"

"Nido!" The Drill Pokémon whispered harshly as he put a claw over his mouth in a shushing manner. He put the claw down and smiled.

James blinked in surprise, "Wait. You really are helping me?"

Nidoking nodded as Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder.

James's eyes widened in realization, "You belong to the twerp?"

Nidoking smirked slyly and shook his head.

James flinched and his eyes widened even further, "TWER-"

"King!" Ash whispered harshly before pointing to the door.

"Right, sorry." James whispered back before he flinched and looked back where they came, "Wait! Jessie and Meowth! Hopkins still has them!"

Ash sighed before crossing his arms. He became engulfed in green light before reappearing in human form; having tapped the watch's symbol with a claw without James seeing. James jumped slightly upon seeing the change. Ash held out a hand to catch Pikachu before placing him on his shoulder.

Ash smiled and crossed his arms, "It's fine, James. Soot and my friends got them back to the surface."

James stared at Ash in shock, "Then why are we just standing here?!" He ran past him and up the staircase.

Ash and Pikachu sweat dropped and shared a look before Ash ran after the Team Rocket agent. They caught up to him in a matter of seconds.

"Hey!" Ash said while still running, "Sorry about agreeing to help Hopkins find you. We really thought we were doing a good thing."

"Don't worry about it." James said without looking, "My parents have always been good at tricking people." He frowned, "Some family I have, huh?"

Ash looked at the man sympathetically, "If you ask me, Jessie and Meowth seem like a better family to you than your real one."

James glanced to the side sorrowfully, "But it's their fault I'm all the way down here."

"Sure. But they care enough to actually realize they made a mistake."

James stopped in his tracks and looked back at Ash in confusion, "What?"

Ash smiled sadly, "Well, yeah. Jessie and Meowth may have been pretty greedy, but they still tried to help after finding out the truth. That combined with a lot of the other stuff I've seen shows you all care about each other."

Pikachu glared back down the stairs, "A Yvel of a lot more than your meemas, by the looks of it."

The male Rocket blinked in surprise before looking down thoughtfully. He smiled softly, "huh…" He perked up and shook it off before looking back up the stairs, "We need to keep moving. Jessebelle doesn't give up that easily."

Ash and Pikachu nodded before the three of them continued running.

.

*Mansion front door

Jessie was tapping her foot and looking at the door worriedly. Meowth was pacing around with his forepaws behind his back. Brock, Misty and Soot stood off to the side with Electra on Brock's shoulder and Clefairy in Misty's arms.

"Where are they?" Jessie asked impatiently.

Brock looked at her, "Be patient. We got a big head start."

Electra nodded, "I'm sure they're close."

Meowth looked at them worriedly, "But what if somethin' happened? James and da twoip are on deir own and defenseless."

Clefairy tilted in confusion, "But Ash still has Pikachu and everyone else with him."

Soot sweat dropped, "And, you do realize that dad was that nidoking, right?" She followed this by translating for Clefairy.

Jessie looked back at her and frowned, "But, still-"

Everyone jumped a bit when the doors burst open. They looked over to find Ash and James running towards them with Pikachu still on Ash's shoulder.

Jessie and Meowth perked up and ran over to their teammate. Ash ran over to the others.

The tRio met up before James glared, "You tried to leave me!"

Jessie glared back, "No we didn't! We tried to find you in the smoke, but that butler got to us first!"

Meowth frowned, "I still don' know how he found us so fast."

James perked up and glanced to the side, "Okay, fair. Hopkins has always been a freak like that." He glared again, "But it's still your fault I wound up down there in the first place!"

Jessie continued glaring back, "Well you could've told us your fiancée was a raving lunatic!"

James raised a brow while giving an incredulous look.

Jessie pointed at him and was about to say something. She stopped before groaning, "Alright, I get it. I'm sorry."

Meowth sighed, "Yeah. Me too. I guess our greed got the best of us."

James sighed before smiling softly, "Well, we are members of Team Rocket. Greed's kind of in the job description."

"Hey!" Misty called out; catching their attention, "Can you save the weird reunion until after we're all out of here?!"

James perked up and looked at Jessie and Meowth, "The twerpette's right. Jessebelle could be right behind us."

"Right, you are, my sweet."

Everyone flinched and looked back to find the woman and her vileplume standing in the doorway.

"It's time for the weddin'!" Jessebelle called out as she swung her whip forward, wrapped it around James's waist, and pulled.

"EEH! James shrieked as he was forced to the ground again.

"James!" Jessie and Meowth cried out.

The trainers all glared and pulled out a pokéball. Pikachu and Clefairy jumped down and got into their fighting stances with Soot. Electra remained on Brock's shoulder but still glared as her cheeks started sparking.

"Vulpix!" Brock said as he reeled back.

"Staryu!" Misty followed in the same fashion.

Ash reeled back as well, "Char-" He was cut off and his eyes widened when he heard glass shattering.

Everyone looked over as a fire ball burst through the window to the doghouse, landed, and rolled towards Vileplume. The Flame Wheel struck Vileplume clean in the chest and shot them back. The wheel then cut through the whip before the growlithe cut off the attack and skidded to a halt between James and Jessebelle. He crouched down and growled at the woman.

James's eyes widened in shock, "Growlie!"

The Fire-type glanced back at him with a smile.

Jessebelle looked back at her Pokémon in shock, "Vileplume!" She looked back at Growlie and grimaced, "You horrid thing! How dare you mess with our weddin' plans again!"

The Puppy Pokémon glared at her again and inhaled quickly before unleashing a Roar. Jessebelle covered her ears and closed her eyes in response.

Growlie quickly got James onto his back and ran to the doghouse, "Open the door!"

Soot perked up, shifted her eyes, and ran up to the door. She placed a paw on the lock before pushing the door open.

Growlie's eyes widened slightly. He quickly shook it off before running inside.

Ash ran up to the door, "Come on!"

Everyone else followed him inside immediately and closed the door behind them.

Jessebelle recovered a moment later, looked at the door, and smirked, "That won't work, James dearest."

James's parents and Hopkins stood a few feet back as they watched everything that just happened.

"That Jessebelle," The father said happily, "she's as delicate as a flower."

"She's much too good for our delinquent son." The mother said before pulling out a Cherish Ball and handing it to the butler, "Hopkins, be a dear and help Jessebelle get him back."

The father pulled out a Premier Ball and handed it to him as well, "And do try to make it fast."

Hopkins smiled and bowed with an arm across his chest, "At once." He took the pokéballs.

.

*Inside the doghouse

James let out a relieved sigh as he fell back onto the lime green couch. Growlie jumped up to sit down next to him. Meowth sat in a same-colored chair next to the couch as Jessie leaned back against it with her arms crossed.

Soot, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu sat on the second, four-seater couch next to the one James and Growlie were on. Clefairy and Electra sat in Misty and Brock's laps, respectively.

Ash was currently moving towards the third and smallest of the couches to use as a barricade. Everyone jerked a bit and their eyes widened as he lifted it effortlessly.

The boy looked up at the large piece of furniture with a raised brow, "Huh…" He looked at James and Growlie, "Do either of you know how much this weighs?"

Both just shook their heads; still staring in surprise.

Ash sighed, 'I really need to test this next time I'm in a workout gym.' He walked over to the door and set the couch down against it.

Growlie blinked in surprise, "Woah. Strong human."

Pikachu looked at him with a smirk, "You don't know the half of it."

Ash sat down next to Soot before Pikachu jumped into his lap, "Hopefully that'll give us enough time to catch our breath."

James nodded with a small smile, "Thanks." He looked at the Fire-type, "And thanks to you too, Growlie. You saved me again."

"Grow Grow!" Growlie barked before he started licking James.

James laughed a bit before pushing him back, "Hey, come on. That tickles."

Jessie frowned, "Well, James, that fiancée of yours is truly despicable."

Meowth nodded, "Yeah. She's even worse den Jessie."

Ash frowned and nodded, "I've heard that arranged marriages could be tricky, but this takes the cake."

James looked down sorrowfully, "Actually, it wasn't an arranged marriage."

Brock stared at him in shock, "Wait, you wanted to marry her before?"

James shot him a glance, "I was a child and didn't know anything." He sighed and looked down sadly again, "She and I had only just met, and I was already head over heels for her. It wasn't until after the engagement was announced that I found out what kind of person she really was. She began following me everywhere; trying to change everything about me. I was never refined enough for her." He clenched a fist and scowled, "But the final straw was when she told me to get rid of Growlie."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock. The Fire-type looked up at James worriedly before licking his cheek. James snapped out of it and looked at him.

The male Rocket smiled softly and petted the Fire-type, "Growlie's one of the few things about my old life that I ever miss. He was my only real friend on this stuffy estate."

Misty frowned, "So why did you leave him here?"

James frowned again, "Because I've always hated the overbearing rules of upper-class society. Marrying Jessebelle would've been the worst mistake of my life."

"That doesn't answer Misty's question." Ash stated.

James looked at him in confusion, "What?"

Brock frowned, "If Growlie means that much to you, why'd you leave him here? I mean, he had to have missed you as much as you missed him. Maybe more."

Soot sweat dropped, "That and you just said that Jessebelle wants to get rid of him."

James's eyes widened before he looked at the growlithe, "I … hadn't thought about all of that."

Jessie looked down sourly; arms still crossed, "And here I thought living in a mansion meant that you had it easy."

Meowth frowned and crossed his forepaws, "I guess uppa-class life ain't all it's cracked up ta be."

Everyone heard creaking and looked over at Jessie and Meowth. Everyone except the pair grimaced instantly. Jessie and Meowth looked back to find a handful of cracks stretching across the wall.

Jessie blinked in shock, "uh…"

The wall exploded and threw them and the chair through the roof of the building. The group stared at the hole in the roof in shock.

"How…" Soot mumbled.

James stood up and looked at the destroyed wall in shock, "Now what?!"

The dust cleared to reveal Jessebelle and Hopkins with vileplume standing in front of them.

Jessebelle smiled slyly, "You know you can't escape me, my sweet James."

James glared at them, "Leave me alone, already!"

Growlie ran up and crouched down in front of James defensively.

Hopkins smiled and held up the megaphone, "I'm afraid that is not an option. Your parents have requested that I retrieve you at once." He put the megaphone away before pulling out a Cherish and Premier Balls and tossing them into the air, "And I intend to deliver!"

James's eyes widened in shock as the balls burst open. An escavalier and leavanny emerged on either side of Vileplume. All three stared down the growlithe. Growlie started sweating nervously but stood his ground.

James took a step back, "M- my parents' Pokémon..."

Jessebelle smirked, "That's right."

Hopkins held out a hand and glared determinedly, "Escavalier! Leavanny! Use X-sci-"

He was cut off as a pair of Shadow Balls with orange centers struck the Pokémon and detonated violently on impact.

"VANNY!" "LIER!" The pair cried out as they were thrown to the non-destroyed portions on the wall.

They slid down and laid in a pained heap. Hopkins looked at them in shock.

Soot sighed, "They just had to have Pokémon that were both double vulnerable to Fire-types."

Misty sweat dropped, "That can't just be a coincidence, right?"

Jessebelle grimaced and pointed, "Vileplume! Stun Spore!"

Vileplume pointed their head forward before a tornado of orange spores erupted from their aperture. Growlie smirked before inhaling and unleashing a Heat Wave.

The flaming winds destroyed the spores before washing over Vileplume and the struggling Leavanny and Escavalier. The three of them cried out in response.

Vileplume fell forward after the winds stopped. Leavanny and Escavalier lied on the ground with their eyes in swirls.

Hopkins and Jessebelle stared around at the downed Pokémon in shock.

Hopkins glared at Ash, "What do you think you're doing?! You're supposed to be on our si-" He stopped, tensed up and his eyes widened.

Jessebelle tensed up before looking ahead again. She grimaced as the black-haired kid glared with his pupils constricted.

The orange haired girl and squinting boy had their eyes covered. James faced away from the kid but was trembling with a frightened expression.

"You're side?!" Ash shouted angrily, "After his parents faked their deaths?!" He pointed at Jessebelle, "After they tried to force James to marry this control freak?! After you tricked his team into taking him to that ... DUNGEON?!" His glare intensified, "Why the Yvel would you still think we'd help you?!"

Jessebelle didn't respond and just continued staring.

Hopkins trembled and stuttered, "Th- th- the masters ... or- orders-" he trailed off.

Soot sighed, "Should have guessed." She glared at the stunned pair, "With a family like this, it's no wonder James ran away."

Ash cut off the ability and looked at James, "Have Weezing use Smokescreen! Now!"

James snapped out of it before pulling out a pokéball and tossing it upwards, "Weezing! Smokescreen!"

The Poison-type emerged and started spewing black smoke immediately. Jessebelle and Hopkins grimaced and covered their mouths in response to the Fire-type move.

"James! This way!" Ash could be heard shouting.

The smoke cleared to reveal the front door wide open and the barricade couch lying on the ground upside-down. They couldn't see anyone else in the room.

Hopkins returned Escavalier and Leavanny before breaking into a sprint through the door, "After them!"

Jessebelle returned Vileplume before following, "I'm comin' James!"

After they left, James, Growlie, and Weezing peaked out from behind the couch.

The male Rocket blinked in surprise, 'I can't believe I never thought of that. Not bad, twerp.' He held up a pokéball, "Thanks Weezing."

The Poison Gas Pokémon disappeared in the red beam before James and Growlie hurried through the hole Jessebelle and Hopkins came through. They ducked into a bush and peaked through.

His parents were casually feeding a few magikarp in the river without a care in the world. Jessebelle and Hopkins were running down the road as they chased the twerps.

James flinched slightly as the Phantom brought out a pidgeotto, charizard, and aerodactyl. All the twerps and their other Pokémon loaded on to them and flew away. Jessebelle and Hopkins stopped running and glared.

James blinked in shock, 'The twerp caught that aerodactyl?! Seriously?!'

Growlie blinked in surprise, "huh..." He looked up at James and smiled.

James looked at him, smiled sadly, and petted him, "Thank you again, Growlie. I couldn't have made it out without you." He frowned, "Which only makes this all the harder."

Growlie frowned worriedly.

James sighed sadly, "I'm sorry, Growlie. I don't like it either. But I need you to stay here and take care of-" He stopped as his eyes widened slightly.

'Jessie and Meowth seem like a better family to you than your real one.'

'I mean, he had to have missed you as much as you missed him. Maybe more.'

'With a family like this, it's no wonder James ran away.'

'Well, the first and last ones are only partially true.' James thought to himself.

James stared at the Fire-type for a moment before looking back at his parents. He glared, "no."

Growlie blinked in surprise, "James?"

"Growlie," James said while looking at the Puppy Pokémon with a determined smile, "I want you to come with me! To join Jessie, Meowth, and I, so we can all be free together! What do you say pal?!"

Growlie's eyes widen before he smiled brightly with his tail wagging.

.

*Jessie and Meowth

The pair sat on either side of a trail as they tried to figure out their next move.

Jessie clenched a fist, "What if we just charge in and grab him?"

Meowth frowned, "With just me and Arbok? You and I couldn't even overpower dat butler."

Jessie scratched her head furiously, "Well, what are we supposed to do?! Leave him there?!"

Meowth glared at her, "Like Yvel we are!" He looked down in frustration, "We just have ta think of a way ta-"

"Prepared for trouble?!"

The pair jerked and their eyes widened in shock. They looked up to find James smiling down at them from the balloon as it descended slowly.

The pair smiled brightly, "James!"

They ran up to the approaching basket as James held out a hand. Jessie grabbed onto his hand as he pulled her into the basket. Meowth jumped up and grabbed the rim to climb in.

Jessie and Meowth pulled James into a group hug immediately.

"You made it out!" Meowth said happily.

"Yeah we did!" Growlie cheered.

"Gah!" Meowth flinched, jumped back in shock, and looked at him, "What da?!"

Jessie blinked in surprise, "James, is that-"

"Yup." James said with a smirk before pulling out a pokéball, "Growlie's one of us now."

The Puppy Pokémon smiled with his tongue out as his tail wagged.

Meowth smiled and crossed his forepaws, "Whadda ya know? We didn't come outta dere empty handed dis time."

Jessie shot him a glare, "Meowth..."

Meowth sighed, "Yeah, I know. It just slipped out."

Growlie looked at Meowth and blinked in confusion, "This time?!"

The Scratch Cat looked at him and waved a paw, "Don' worry about it." He looked up at James with a sad smile, "Still, sorry about gettin' ya inta dat whole mess in da first place."

Jessie sighed before looking at her human teammate with a sad frown, "Yeah. Our bad."

James looked at his teammates with a soft smile, "It's okay. Besides, how can I stay mad at family that really care about me?"

Jessie and Meowth perked up as their eyes widened.

Jessie stared blankly, "Where the freaking Yvel did that come from?"

Meowth deadpanned and sweat dropped, "Yeah. Real sappy, James."

James rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously, "Sorry. I guess the twerp got into my head."

Jessie frowned and pointed at him, "Well keep him out from now on. That was just weird."

Meowth glared, "He probably said dat junk ta butta ya up and get ya ta talk us inta leavin' him alone."

James clenched a fist with a determined smirk, "Well, no way in Yvel is that gonna happen. That Phantom will be ours. And with Growlie on our side, we'll stand an even better chance!"

Growlie smirked and glared determinedly, "I don't really know what you mean by that, but yeah!"

Meowth grinned, "Dere's da James we know."

Jessie smirked wickedly before tensing up and yawning. "That's good and all," She said, "but let's save our usual scheming for tomorrow. It's been a long day."

James nodded while smiling, "I'll steer for a bit and get us anchored down once we're far enough away. You two take it easy."

Meowth smiled tiredly, "Thanks."

The woman and Scratched Cat Pokémon moved to the opposite side of the basket and lied down. James looked at them with a soft smile before grabbing the cord for the burner and looking ahead. Growlie walked closer and nudged up against his trainer. James looked down and petted him before looking ahead again; still smiling softly.

As the tRio flew off into the distance, they failed to notice a familiar braviary watching them from a few meters back. The Valiant Pokémon smiled softly before turning and flying off in the opposite direction.

.

.

Illavera: ... I kinda have mixed feelings about Growlie joining him.

Mizuro: Yeah. I mean, *holds out right hand* on one hand, well deserved happy ending for James and the dog. *holds out left hand* On the other hand, the bad guys got a new fighter.

Seishin: *shrugs* Eh, define 'bad'.

Omega: Yeah, I actually have to agree with the freak. After everything I've seen, they're nothing like the ones from our world.

Faux: That and Trix's team alone still has those three outnumbered by almost two to one.

…

The new comment response will be posted on "Random-ish stuff on the side" on 9/2/2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.