Earlier, Brock had mentioned that Ralts was a Pokémon native to the Hoenn region, and even there, it was considered extremely rare.
Now, seeing this newborn Shiny Ralts with all S-rank aptitude, Ash could hardly believe it. This wasn't just rare, it was rarer than encountering most Legendary Pokémon.
To meet such a Pokémon here in Kanto, under such specific circumstances, could only be the result of his [Chosen One's Radiance].
"This truly is a Pokémon bestowed upon me by the heavens…" Ash murmured under his breath.
"Hm? What did you say, Ash?" Misty tilted her head, not quite catching his words.
"Ah..nothing. I was just wondering if Ralts needed formula or something. She's just been born, after all, and babies usually need nutritional supplements."
"Pokémon aren't like human children," Brock explained calmly. "Even newborns already have some level of combat ability. Their best source of nutrition after hatching is this." He pointed down at the eggshell pieces scattered on the ground.
Ash carefully placed Ralts back on his shoulder, then bent down to pick up the eggshell. He rinsed it clean with his water bottle before holding it out.
Ralts blinked up at him, then opened her tiny mouth.
Crunch, crunch.
She chewed off a large piece at once.
Ash broke the rest into smaller chunks and fed them to her bit by bit. Soon, the entire eggshell had been devoured.
Almost instantly, Ash noticed her level jump from [Novice Junior] to [Novice Senior]. He couldn't tell if it was the eggshell's effect or Ralts's natural talent, but either way, it was astonishing. She had only just been born, yet already surpassed the Caterpie he had caught days earlier.
Her ability values still showed as [E], but that could be raised with training over time.
Ash then crouched down, holding out a Poké Ball. "Ralts, would you like to become my Pokémon?"
Even though Ralts clung to him affectionately, Ash wanted to respect her wishes. He wouldn't capture her unless she agreed.
Ralts was different from wild Pokémon. Wild ones followed the law of strength, defeat them, and you could claim them. But this newborn had no such instincts yet. With her, consent mattered.
Misty and Brock held their breath. If Ralts rejected him, Ash really would let her go. And that thought made their hearts ache. This was a Shiny Ralts! Any other Trainer would've thrown the Poké Ball without hesitation.
But Ash was Ash. His first thought was always respecting a Pokémon's will.
"Ralts?" The little Pokémon tilted her head, clearly not understanding his words.
"Pikapi, Pikachu pika." Pikachu hopped down, pointing at Ash while squeaking earnestly. [Ash is asking if you're willing to stay with him forever. Ash, that's his name.]
Misty and Brock, of course, couldn't understand a word. From their perspective, Pikachu was bouncing around with wild gestures, looking like he'd suddenly gone into a fit.
However, Misty and Brock also knew Pikachu was likely trying to persuade Ralts to accept Ash as her Trainer. They just didn't know how Ralts would respond…
"Ralts? Ralts, Ralts!!"
Under Pikachu's squeaky explanation, Ralts finally understood Ash's earlier question. Her tiny head bobbed up and down like a hammer pounding garlic, nodding furiously as if afraid that if she hesitated even a second, Ash might misunderstand.
"That's great, Ash, Ralts agreed!" Misty said, her face lighting up.
"Congratulations, Ash," Brock added warmly. "You've caught a… Pokémon that literally fell from the sky. This feels like something out of a dream."
In truth, Brock and Misty were almost more excited than Ash himself. Ralts, a Pokémon that many Trainers could search the whole world for and never find, had appeared here, and had willingly chosen Ash. This was far beyond dumb luck.
Ash smiled and crouched down slightly, holding out the Poké Ball. "Then… please take care of me, Ralts."
He tapped the Poké Ball gently against her. A flash of red light enveloped Ralts, and in the blink of an eye, she was drawn inside. The ball didn't even wobble once. With a crisp click, it sealed.
"I caught Ralts!" Ash cheered, raising the ball.
"Pikachu!!" Pikachu chimed, throwing his little paws into the air.
Ash had gained another shining star for his team. Without question, he was the biggest winner of their journey through Mt. Moon.
"Clap, clap, clap!!"
Sudden applause echoed around them. Ash and Pikachu froze mid-pose and turned their heads. They had completely forgotten about the Clefairy. The whole group of them was gathered, clapping their tiny hands in delight.
"It seems the Clefairy were also moved by your sincerity toward Ralts, Ash," Brock said with a smile, folding his arms.
Ash scratched his cheek sheepishly. Then he turned to Misty. "By the way, weren't you going to catch a Clefairy?"
Misty shook her head, her expression soft. "Forget it. At first I thought Clefairy lived alone, but now that I know she has a whole tribe… it wouldn't feel right to separate her from her family. Unless one of them wanted to come with me on her own, I don't think I should."
She wasn't stubborn about it. If the Clefairy had been alone, Misty would've caught her without hesitation. But seeing so many Clefairy together, happily united, she couldn't bring herself to break that bond.
Ash, respecting Misty's wish, helped ask the Clefairy tribe directly. As expected, the Clefairy preferred to stay with their kin rather than leave with the humans they had just met. Misty nodded in understanding, fully letting go of the idea.
Before they left, however, the Clefairy showed their gratitude. Each of the three companions received a Moon Stone, stones that Brock, with his expertise in rocks and minerals, quickly recognized as top-grade quality.
"These are incredible," he said in awe. "Each one of these could sell for at least seven figures."
Misty and Ash gaped at the stones in their hands, unable to close their mouths for a moment. Then, realizing just how valuable they were, they quickly tucked them away with the utmost care.