Nastina was a local shop owner in Porta Vista who held a massive grudge against Ash. The reason? Simple: Ash's Continental Hotel refused to play her game. While Ash partnered with almost every local business to ensure mutual growth, Nastina's greed was legendary. She demanded exorbitant fees, and Ash—who followed the principle of harmony brings wealth but didn't tolerate bullies—simply cut her out. Now, while the partnered shops were swimming in profits, Nastina was left staring at an empty ledger.
This sabotage was her desperate attempt at revenge.
Back at the judges' table, Gary was still reeling from the shock of his sister's presence. Daisy had finally finished scolding him and was now casually sipping Ash's fresh juice. Ash, meanwhile, had a comforting arm around Gary's shoulder.
"Come on, Gary. Just say it: 'Brother-in-law.'"
"In your dreams! I don't care how many legendary Pokémon you catch; you are not my brother-in-law!" Gary fumed. The idea of his rival becoming his legal family was a mental hurdle he wasn't ready to clear.
"The sooner you start practicing, the less awkward the wedding will be," Ash teased. "Give it a try. It'll grow on you."
"NEVER!"
BOOM!
The ocean erupted as Team Rocket's Gyarados Submarine breached the surface, causing instant panic among the beachgoers. Ash's playful expression vanished instantly. He grabbed the microphone from the host, his voice booming across the shore.
"Security Detail, attention! We have a confirmed hostile vessel! Priority: Protect the guests. Security, move out!"
"YES, SIR!"
The hotel staff—who everyone had assumed were just polite waiters and bellhops—suddenly moved with military precision. Their eyes turned sharp, like hungry wolves.
"Go! Rhydon!"
"Go! Onix!"
"Go! Nidoking!"
A wall of Pokémon materialized on the shoreline, forming an impenetrable barrier. Both Team Rocket and Nastina (watching from the shadows) were paralyzed with shock. These weren't just security guards; they were a high-level private army.
But the real surprise was yet to come. The silver-haired woman in the butler's suit—the one who had been acting as a head steward—stepped forward and tossed a Luxury Ball.
"Go, Salamence! The bonus is ours!"
"A Salamence?!" Cynthia's eyes narrowed as she recognized the woman. "Ash... I remember a high-profile Pokémon Hunter in Sinnoh who disappeared a few years ago. Is that...?"
"Yep," Ash whispered, a small smirk on his face. "That's Hunter J. She and her elite squad are on my payroll now. Turns out, the salary I offer for legitimate security work is far higher than what they were making as criminals. Plus, I provide benefits like Rare Candies and custom potions that no black market could ever hope to replicate."
Cynthia looked at Ash in a new light. Is this what 'Pay-to-Win' looks like in the real world?
"They protect the Going Merry and the Thousand Sunny," Ash continued. "If you ever need some heavy lifting done in Sinnoh, let me know. They love overtime pay."
The battle was over before it started. J's Salamence chased the Gyarados Submarine across the bay like cat toys with a mouse. In their panic, Team Rocket tried to dock at Nastina's shop for cover.
"Don't come near me, you idiots!" Nastina screamed.
Ash saw his opening. "Bonus alert! 100,000 PokéDollars to the team that disables that sub!"
The security guards' eyes literally turned green. "ANYONE IN THE WAY IS GETTING REPLACED! HYPER BEAM!!"
A dozen Hyper Beams converged on the submarine in a blinding flash of light.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN—!"
"You three fools!" Nastina's voice faded into the distance as the shockwave sent her shop tumbling into the sea.
With the threat dealt with, the beauty contest concluded peacefully. The crown went to a mature, elegant woman—a choice Ash fully understood. (After all, Onee-san charm is a powerful stat multiplier).
The group decided to stay one more night to enjoy the hotel's amenities. In the private lounge, the Pokémon were having their own party. Pikachu was busy being a gentleman to Chuchu, Meowth was high on a pile of premium catnip, and the rest were lounging in the high-end recovery tanks.
Ash slipped away to his room, mentioning he had to store some sensitive medicinal tonics. Elesa followed him shortly after, quietly locking the door behind her.
Delia watched them go and shared a knowing smile with Daisy.
Inside the room, Ash turned to find Elesa standing there, the moonlight reflecting off her striking features. For all his business acumen and battle prowess, Ash's heart skipped a beat. He stepped forward, taking her hand.
"Are we... not waiting for the wedding?" He asked softly.
Elesa shook her head, her eyes full of a mixture of mischief and deep affection. "Some things are worth waiting for, Ash. But some things... I've already waited long enough. Why wait for a ceremony to show you how I feel?"
Ash looked at her, his voice sincere and steady. "Thank you, Elesa. To have and to hold, from this day forward."
"Just don't make me cry, okay?"
"Does crying form joy count?"
Elesa laughed, pulling him closer. "That's the Ash I fell in love with... you never change."
"I'll never change how I feel about you," Ash promised.
There were no grand declarations of war or dramatic misunderstandings. Their bond had grown naturally from a simple shared interest in Pokémon nutrition into something unbreakable. And as the moon rose over Porta Vista, a new chapter of their lives began in the quiet of the night.
.
.
.
.
You can read advance chapters and view R-18 images of the characters on pat reon page.
pat reon.com/GreenBlue17
100 Power Stones for 1 extra chapter.
10 New reviews for 1 extra chapter.