In the end, through the collective efforts of all the volunteers and Pokémon nurses, all the wild Pokémon from Ilex Forest were successfully captured into Poké Balls...
Overall, the capture process wasn't entirely smooth sailing.
The Pokémon willing to trust humans were fine, and they entered the Poké Balls on their own.
But those wary of humans gave the volunteers a great deal of trouble.
In the end, it was only through Caleb's personal intervention and the bonus from his 'Savior' title that they were persuaded to trust him.
This three-day-long rescue operation in Ilex Forest finally concluded at four in the afternoon...
"A total of six thousand three hundred and twenty-eight Poké Balls were used," Caleb reported after a rough count of the Poké Balls in his inventory, addressing Lorelei.
Lorelei nodded, saying, "The rest is up to you."
Caleb gave a faint hum and was about to use the Warp Beacon to leave, when a familiar voice called out:
"Hey! Wait, please!"
Hearing this, Caleb and Lorelei turned around.
Jessie, James, and Meowth came running over, panting heavily.
"James? Is something wrong?" Lorelei asked.
James nodded, his gaze shifting to Caleb as he tentatively asked, "Hello, are you Caleb?"
Caleb, the most outstanding investigator of the Kanto League, the one who single-handedly dismantled the colossal organization known as Team Rocket.
Every man harbored a hero's dream to some extent.
James had first heard this name a year ago, learned of his deeds, and had since regarded Caleb as his idol.
He hadn't recognized him earlier, but after overhearing other volunteers chatting, he realized the young man standing beside Lorelei was his idol.
Caleb nodded slightly, "I am. Hello, James."
James's face lit up with flattered surprise, "You know my name?"
Due to Team Rocket's premature collapse, James's entire life had taken a different turn.
Now, he was in a period of uncertainty. If you stripped away his identity as the young master of the Sasaki family, he was essentially an unemployed drifter in society.
If it weren't for Jessie and Meowth…
Though Caleb didn't know what James had been through to make him look at him with such… admiration, he kept a straight face and said, "I heard from Lorelei earlier. Sasaki James is a very nice name." {T/N: The impact comes from the fact that James' actual Japanese name is Kojiro, which was inspired by the legendary figure known as Sasaki Kojiro... I also believe there was such a heroic spirit in the Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works?}
James became even more embarrassed, "Thank you!"
Caleb asked, as if bringing it up casually, "Where are you working now?"
Judging by James's current situation, he didn't seem to be doing well, and was probably without a decent job.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, his expression turned awkward, and he said dejectedly, "I haven't found a job yet…"
Caleb pretended to ponder before asking, "What skills do you have then?"
Though James didn't understand why he was being asked this, he answered honestly, "Some basic mechanical principles and programming."
These were things he had started learning since childhood.
'Perfect!'
Seizing the opportunity, Caleb took a business card from his backpack and handed it to James, saying, "This is a studio under my name. It's not very big, but the benefits are quite good."
James's eyes widened in disbelief. He glanced at the card in his hand and asked, "Really? Is that okay?"
Caleb nodded, "Of course. Meowth and Jessie can come too."
"Really?! Me too nyaa?" Meowth exclaimed in shock.
"You're welcome anytime." Caleb smiled at it, then checked the time, "It's getting late. I have some things to attend to, so I need to go now."
With that, he left Azalea Town with Lorelei...
...
On the way, Lorelei glanced at Caleb's profile and said, "You seem to really like those three."
"Do I?"
"Mhm." Lorelei nodded. Reading people was one of her specialties.
"Alright then." Caleb said with a serious expression, "I just think James has it tough. He dared to fight against his fate, giving up wealth and luxury. I really admire that kind of person."
"Dared to fight against his fate…"
Lorelei thought about James escaping his arranged marriage, even going from a young master of a great family to a penniless street kid without ever considering returning home.
"That does fit," she said.
Caleb smiled silently to himself. Truthfully, he hadn't planned on making contact with this world's James today, let alone recruiting him directly.
Setting aside the urgency of the Ilex Forest situation, he couldn't just walk up to someone and say, "Young man, I see you have exceptional talent and astonishing capabilities. Why not work for me from now on?"
That would be far too abrupt for James, and Caleb wasn't the type to pull such a flamboyant move.
He considered himself quite straightforward and honest.
....
After parting ways with Lorelei, Caleb used the Warp Beacon to teleport to Mahogany Town to inform Lily of his imminent departure...
Lily's hands stilled. She frowned and asked, "Are you leaving now?"
Caleb nodded, "The Pokémon from Ilex Forest need treatment. Their condition will only get more dangerous if we delay further."
He looked at her apologetically, "I'm sorry."
Lily was stunned for a moment before breaking into a understanding smile, "You don't need to apologize to me, Nii-san. Meeting you has been the happiest thing in my life. Go ahead. I'll always be here waiting for you to come back."
Caleb took a deep breath, nodded at Lily, then took out the Warp Beacon from his inventory.
Just as he was about to activate it, Lily suddenly called out, "Nii-san!"
Caleb paused and looked up.
Lily: "Goodbye!"
Caleb: "Goodbye!"
....
~Veilstone City~
After leaving Mahogany Town, Caleb teleported directly here...
The evening's orange sunset hues painted the sky.
Cynthia was standing in front of an ice cream truck, agonizing over the flavors.
"Just get strawberry!" a voice called from behind.
Cynthia was stunned for a moment, then turned around, looking a little surprised, "What are you doing here? Finished with things in Johto?"
She then turned to the vendor, "Boss, two strawberry ice creams, please!"
The vendor, looking at the handsome young man and beautiful woman before him, smilingly scooped two balls of ice cream.
Caleb took his, took a bite, savoring the cool, sweet strawberry flavor, and said, "I have to go."
He told Cynthia everything that had happened in Johto.
After listening, the emotions on Cynthia's face visibly shifted. She opened her mouth, looking at her little brother's weary face, seeming to want to ask something.
But in the end, she asked nothing. She only said softly, "There are always things in this world we have no choice but to do. Go ahead, don't worry. I'll be here waiting for you to come back."
"I'll be back." Caleb took an empty Poké Ball from his inventory and aimed it at Celebi sitting on his shoulder.
"Bii?"
Celebi tilted its head, looked at it, then reached out a small hand and poked the button on top.
The next second, its form turned into a red light and was drawn inside.
The notification sound followed immediately:
[Mythical Pokémon Contest officially concluded. Main Quest completed!]
[Leave the current Instance now?]
'Yes.'
Then Caleb vanished.
Cynthia looked at the now-empty space beside her and murmured in a barely audible voice:
"Goodbye, little liar..."