After safely bringing Alakazam and Ralts back to Cherry's home, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ash carefully observed the two Pokémon. Although Alakazam was exhausted, its eyes still retained their composure and dignity. Ralts, meanwhile, timidly hid behind Alakazam, the eyes peeking through its blue bangs curiously surveying the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Brock, how are they doing?" Ash asked with concern.
Brock was in the middle of a thorough examination. Hearing the question, he looked up.
"Their injuries have stabilized. But Ash, your healing ability is truly incredible. I've never seen such a miraculous treatment method."
"It's just a small application of Aura power." Ash waved his hand modestly, his gaze never leaving the two Pokémon.
After Brock's careful treatment, both Alakazam and Ralts showed obvious improvement.
Looking at the Shiny Ralts, Misty couldn't help but praise it.
"It's so adorable!"
She reached out instinctively to pet it, but Ash gently stopped her.
"They've just gone through a terrible ordeal," Ash explained quietly. "Approaching them too suddenly might make them uneasy. Let me communicate with them first."
Ash closed his eyes, and blue-green Aura light once again surrounded his body.
This time, he was not only healing their injuries, but also conveying kindness and reassurance through Aura.
Alakazam's tense expression gradually relaxed, and Ralts cautiously stepped forward a little.
"Can you tell me what happened to you?" Ash asked gently.
Through the resonance of Aura, a heartbreaking story slowly unfolded before them.
Ralts had originally lived peacefully in the wilds of the Hoenn region, but it had been captured by a group of poachers. A mysterious employer had offered a huge reward for a Shiny Ralts, causing the poachers to treasure it like a priceless prize.
During transportation, they encountered a lone Alakazam.
Sensing Ralts' fear and helplessness, Alakazam had stepped in without hesitation.
After a fierce battle, Alakazam managed to escape with Ralts using Teleport, but the poachers relentlessly pursued them.
During their flight, they accidentally entered the territory of a powerful Gengar. This Gengar seemed to possess unusual resistance to Psychic-type attacks, forcing Alakazam to exhaust itself protecting Ralts and escaping.
After enduring battle after battle, Alakazam's body became covered in wounds. In the end, it collapsed from exhaustion in the forest outside Len Town.
"Those despicable poachers!" Ash clenched his fists, anger burning in his eyes.
He had always hated people who harmed Pokémon for profit.
At that moment, a villager rushed inside in panic.
"This is bad! That Gengar has returned! And there are several strangers searching the town for something!"
Cherry's expression changed.
"The poachers have come for them!"
Ash immediately stood up.
"Perfect. I'll settle both old and new scores at the same time!"
On the open field outside the village, three poachers dressed in black were confronting the villagers.
The leader sneered.
"Hand over that Shiny Ralts and Alakazam, or don't blame us for being rough!"
"Not a chance!" Ash stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "If you want to hurt them, you'll have to get through me first!"
The poachers exchanged amused looks, clearly not taking the young boy seriously.
"Since you're asking for trouble, don't blame us!"
"Go, Fearow!"
"Let's go, Sneasel!"
"You're up, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaaa-chuuuu!"
A bolt of electricity thicker than ever before roared across the battlefield, instantly engulfing both Fearow and Sneasel.
The poachers stared in disbelief as their Pokémon lost the ability to fight amidst the crackling electricity. Even they themselves were left numb by the aftereffects.
At that moment, a purple figure floated out from the forest.
It was the powerful Gengar.
Its crimson eyes swept across the battlefield before finally stopping on Ash.
"Houndour, I choose you!" Ash immediately sent out his Dark-type Houndour.
At the same time, having recovered a portion of its strength, Alakazam stepped forward as well, gazing firmly at its former opponent.
"Alakazam, do you want to fight too?" Ash asked with concern.
Alakazam nodded and crossed the spoons in its hands before its chest, expressing its determination.
Working together, Houndour's Dark-type attacks and Alakazam's Psychic combined forces, and Gengar was finally defeated. It turned into a black shadow and vanished into the depths of the forest.
After the battle, Officer Jenny arrived in time and brought the poachers to justice. Peace finally returned to Len Town.
"We truly owe this to all of you," Cherry said sincerely.
Misty and Brock exchanged smiles and simultaneously pushed Ash forward.
"It was all Ash's doing."
At that moment, Ralts and Alakazam walked up to Ash.
After everything they had gone through together, their eyes were now filled with trust.
Ralts gently leaped onto Ash's shoulder, while Alakazam voluntarily touched the Poké Ball in Ash's hand.
"Do you want to travel with me?" Ash asked in surprise.
Ralts nodded its little head earnestly.
As for Alakazam, the moment it touched the Poké Ball, it was absorbed inside without the slightest resistance.
Although Cherry was somewhat reluctant to part with them, she still smiled and nodded.
"It seems they've already made their choice. Ash, please take good care of them."
"I promise," Ash said solemnly.
Then he raised Alakazam's Poké Ball high into the air.
"All right! I caught Alakazam and Ralts!"
"Pikapi!" Pikachu happily flashed a V-sign and jumped onto Ash's other shoulder.
Under the setting sun, Ash set off on a new journey with his new companions.
Ralts sat quietly on his shoulder, its blue hair gently swaying in the evening breeze.
Although Alakazam did not come out, it rested peacefully inside its Poké Ball. It seemed completely at ease entrusting the little girl it had unexpectedly met to Ash.
Seeing the scene, Brock could not help but sigh.
"Ash's team is getting bigger and bigger."
"And they're all such special Pokémon," Misty added, her tone carrying a hint of envy.
Ash looked back toward Len Town, his heart filled with gratitude.
Every encounter was a kind of fate, and carrying these precious bonds with him, he would continue onward toward Goldenrod City, writing a legend that belonged to all of them.
With these two Pokémon officially joining the team, another weakness in Ash's lineup had finally been perfectly filled.
...