AG109

← AG108 : Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt!

Advanced Generation series

AG110 : The Great Eight Fate! →

Do I Hear a Ralts?

AG109   EP383 ラルトスを救え！急げマサト！ Rescue Ralts! Hurry Masato!

First broadcast Japan January 6, 2005 United States January 21, 2006

English themes Opening Unbeatable Ending

Japanese themes Opening ポケモン シンフォニック メドレー Ending GLORY DAY 〜輝くその日〜 ②

Credits Animation Team Ota Screenplay 松井亜弥 Aya Matsui Storyboard 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Animation director 岩根雅明 Masaaki Iwane Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Do I Hear a Ralts? (Japanese: ラルトスを救え！急げマサト！ Rescue Ralts! Hurry Masato!) is the 109th episode of the Advanced Generation series, and the 383rd episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on January 6, 2005 and in the United States on January 21, 2006.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Blurb

As Ash and his friends are taking a break, Max hears a cry for help and finds a sick Ralts. It's too weak to walk but needs to be treated at a Pokémon Center, so Max decides to carry it there. However, Team Rocket wants Ralts for themselves, dressing up as Gardevoir and Kirlia to steal it. When the Pokédex sees through Meowth's disguise, Team Rocket decides to fight, and Max must take Ralts and run while his friends fend off Team Rocket.

Ralts becomes too ill to travel at all, but Max doesn't know what to do until Snorunt makes him an ice pack for Ralts fever. Now they can set off again, but Team Rocket makes another grab for Ralts. To everyone's surprise, they're sent packing by a real Gardevoir and Kirlia. They want Ralts returned, and its a tense stand-off until Gardevoir decides Max can be trusted and lets him continue.

By the time Max reaches the Pokémon Center, Ralts is terribly sick. When Ash and the others arrive, Max bursts into tears and runs to May. Its a tense wait until Nurse Joy predicts a full recovery for Ralts.

Once Ralts is well again, Max takes it outside and calls for Gardevoir and Kirlia. This summons Team Rocket's fakes again, but Ralts is healthy enough to take care of them itself. The real Pokémon appear and though Ralts doesn't want to leave, Max knows it must. But first he promises that when he's old enough to be a Trainer, he'll come back and find Ralts again so they can travel the world together.

Plot

Ash and his friends are still on their way to Sootopolis City for Ash's final Gym battle. Of course, they're still making their way through the woods. Max thought for sure they'd be out by now, and May adds that things always looks closer on the map then they do in real life. Brock suggests it may be at least another day.

Ash, however, attempts to cheer the other guys up. He declares that they're only one day and one boat ride from his ultimate victory! Looks like the anticipation of going after the final Badge has Ash all fired up.

However, Snorunt suddenly pops out of his Poké Ball. Ash is surprised, but Snorunt uses Icy Wind on him, freezing him and Pikachu solid. May and Max jokingly suggest that Snorunt was just trying to tell Ash to "cool it" and "chill out."

Suddenly, Max hears a voice calling. Max takes off running to find out what it is. Ash, Brock, and May are surprised, because they didn't hear anything. Max doesn't have time to explain, however. Something's in trouble, and he has to find it!

Soon enough, Max bursts out of a bush to find a Ralts laying next to a lake. When it's brought back, they can only guess that it must have fallen into the lake and it's now sick. Brock hands some soup for it to try. At first, Ralts won't eat the soup but then Pikachu tells Ralts to go ahead, so Ralts manages to eat it and obviously enjoys it, just like almost everyone else who tries Brock's cooking.

May pulls her Pokédex to find out more about the Ralts. Max lays it back down, when suddenly Snorunt pops in. Max and Ash get angry at Snorunt for scaring the Ralts. Snorunt gets angry in turn, swipes Ash's hat and Max's glasses, freezes them with Icy Wind, then puts it back on them.

Ash and Max start dancing wildly when the ice cold hat and glasses are put back on them. The Ralts, however, starts laughing at this. Max ends up realizing that Snorunt was just trying to cheer up the Ralts. May thinks it must be feeling better.

Brock, however, thinks otherwise. It's definitely running a fever, and it's pretty high, so it would be best for them to get the Ralts to a Pokémon Center right away. Max offers Ralts a lift, then declares that he's going to take full responsibility for Ralts on the trip.

Not far away, Team Rocket is watching them. Jessie sees the Ralts and thinks it's pretty cute. James says it has its points, but it doesn't compare to his Chimecho. Meowth suggests they snatch the Ralts and give it to the boss. James immediately shows skepticism, but Meowth begins to have another one of his boss fantasies...

"Imagine the boss waking up in the morning, the pleasant sound of Ralts rousing him gently from sleep. Suddenly, a gang of evil intruders busts in, threatening to take his money, his jewels, and even steal the covers! Luckily, Ralts appears and uses Safeguard to protect the boss, and then blasting the intruders with Psychic! So much excitement before breakfast leaves the boss needing a nap, so Ralts uses its Hypnosis ability to help relax him. All sleepy and happy with the Ralts we gave him, the boss will say, "Meowth and friends deserve a big reward when I wake up.""

Once again, Team Rocket gets excited about the thoughts of promotion, and even a condo next to the ocean! Time for Team Rocket to kick this plan into gear!

Later, as Ash and company are running down the road, James appears, disguised as an elderly man, and thanks them for finding his poor, lost Ralts. He explains that his sisters have been looking everywhere for it, and his sisters (Jessie as a Gardevoir and Meowth as a Kirlia) enter.

Ash asks if he's a Pokémon Trainer, and James responds with a "Yes, twerp...*ahem* I mean, lad!" He then introduces himself as the fabulous Trainer of these three Psychic Pokémon, Lord James Jameson the third, Esquire.

Brock explains that the Ralts is sick and they need to get it to a Pokémon Center. James, however, explains that since it's "his Pokémon," it's his responsibility to take it. Max, however, is starting to get suspicious, because Ralts seems to be afraid of James. James quickly explains that the fever must be affecting its mind.

Meowth suddenly falls off its toes and lands flatfooted, but quickly fixes itself. However, now Ash is starting to get suspicious too, and he takes out his Pokédex and instead of it reading Kirlia's entry it reads Meowth's! When the Pokédex states that Meowth typically spend the day sleeping Meowth gets angry at the suggestion, while Jessie gets angry at Meowth since the Pokédex also states he has the ability to collect coins. Unfortunately, that blows their cover completely, and they're revealed as Team Rocket. Quickly the threesome ditch their disguises, and say the motto along with Wobbuffet and Chimecho adding their own touches.

Ash is angry with the three and tells them he knew something was up with them, however the time for trickery is over as Jessie sends out Dustox which attacks with a fierce Whirlwind, knocking the gang off their feet. James then sends out Cacnea which naturally attempts to give him a spiky hug, but this time James is able to dodge the attempt and orders a Pin Missile. Cacnea fires and the missiles which impact into the ground causing explosion which sends everyone scurrying for cover. Max hides behind a tree, promising to keep Ralts safe. Ash decides to retaliate the best way he knows how and has Pikachu use Thunderbolt, which strikes Team Rocket and their Pokémon causing the usual pain, but James has Chimecho use Heal Bell which completely heals everyone.

May then sends out Combusken and has it use Fire Spin. However, Dustox releases another powerful Whirlwind which keeps the attack safely at bay. Jessie then sends out Seviper and orders a Poison Tail and Ash has Pikachu counter with Iron Tail. Cacnea fires another Pin Missile which heads towards the group, but Brock has his Ludicolo intercept it with Razor Leaf.

Max, however, realizes that Ralts is getting worse, and alerts the others. They come to the conclusion that it must be worse than just a cold. Team Rocket suddenly attacks again, and Ludicolo, Combusken, and Pikachu move in to intercept. Ash then tells Max to make a run for the Pokémon Center while he still can. Max is nervous about going alone, but Ash reminds him that he's the one who wanted to be responsible for Ralts. After further encouragement from Brock and May, Max goes for it.

After Ludicolo crashes from Dustox's Psybeam, Ash orders an Icy Wind from Snorunt. Snorunt freezes everything in Team Rocket's direction, then runs off after Max. Ash is happy that Snorunt is worried about Ralts, but Brock points out that they have bigger problems... Team Rocket isn't frozen! It turned out that Wobbuffet was able to protect Team Rocket from the Icy Wind with Mirror Coat. But that's when they realize that Max is gone, and so is Ralts! Ash and May make fun of their eyesight not being too hot, to which Jessie angrily responds by ordering Seviper to use Haze.

Max is still on the move, with Snorunt not far behind. Team Rocket, who apparently took advantage of the Haze attack to get away, are looking for Max and the Ralts too. Max is going as fast as he can, but is forced to stop because the Ralts is getting worse.

Max finds out Ralts's fever is getting worse, and he needs to come up with something fast. He then finds a bundle of Berries that his mother always gave him when he was sick, and tries to convince the Ralts to eat some of them. But the Ralts is too sick to eat, and Max is starting to worry that Ralts is giving up.

Max begins to crack, wondering why he wanted to be the big hero, and he's scared that all he did in the end was let Ralts down. Suddenly, an icy wind blows past, and Max looks up to see Snorunt! Snorunt is holding some of the Berries, which it froze solid. Max, getting an idea, wraps the Berries in a rag, and uses it as a cold compress for Ralts.

This calms and cools Ralts down, and Max once again tries to convince it to eat. It manages to take a bite this time. Max is happy, because this means the Ralts still has a chance!

Elsewhere in the forest, May is concerned about Max, and hopes he's okay. Ash tells her to relax, saying by now he's probably at the Pokémon Center already. Brock adds that they'll be at the Pokémon Center as well.

Back to Max, who isn't quite at the center yet, but is getting close. He asks Ralts to hang on just a little bit longer. Unfortunately, Team Rocket finds them, and they're not happy. They order Max to hand over the Ralts or else. Max refuses.

Suddenly, Team Rocket is psychically lifted up and sent blasting off again. Max wonders what happened, but his question is answered when a real Kirlia and Gardevoir appear! Evidently they were looking for Ralts.

Max, however, is forced to try to explain to them that Ralts is in bad shape and needs help. Kirlia is put off by this, but Snorunt refuses to let it get closer. They get into an argument, until Max stops Snorunt. He tries again, but the angry Kirlia fires a Psychic attack.

However, Ralts stops this by using Safeguard! However, that leaves the Ralts even weaker than before. Kirlia tries to approach, but Gardevoir stops it. They decide that if Ralts is willing to trust Max that far, then so can they. As they teleport away, Max quickly gets going again.

Max finally manages to get Ralts to the Pokémon Center, and it's put in the intensive care unit. There's nothing left for him to do but wait. Ash and the others then show up, and Max runs crying into May's arms, who calmly comforts him, saying he really came through. All they can do from there is wait further, until Nurse Joy finally comes out, with the good news that Ralts is going to be just fine!

Max quickly runs in to see it, and it's just as happy to see him as Max is it. It turns out that Max got him there just in time, had he been even an hour later, the Ralts might not have survived. Ash and May are proud of Max for really stepping up when he needed to.

However, the realization dawns upon Max...now that Ralts is all better, it's time for it to go back where it belongs. He soon heads outside and starts calling for Gardevoir and Kirlia. After a while, "they" show up. However, it's really Jessie and Meowth in their respective disguises again. James is hidden off to the side, convinced it will work this time as long as they stay up on their toes.

Ash and May can't believe that Team Rocket is trying this stunt again. Max isn't finding the humor in this, and he directly tells them that if they really cared about Ralts, they wouldn't let it fall into Team Rocket's hands! He then orders a Psychic attack, which Ralts uses to send Jessie and Meowth blasting off.

"No fair! Why isn't James blasting off?!"

James, realizing he's in trouble, goes to make a run for it, but unfortunately ends up running into the real Gardevoir and Kirlia, who send him blasting off with Psychic attacks of their own.

"Don't worry, guys! Right behind you!"

Gardevoir and Kirlia then appear to Max, who, just as he promised, is ready to return Ralts now that it's all better. Ralts, however, doesn't want to leave Max, and it's obvious Max is equally hesitant to let Ralts go. However, it's time for them to part, but Max promises that one day, when he's older and he's a Trainer, that he'll come back for Ralts.

With that deal made, Gardevoir, Kirlia, and Ralts teleport away. However, Max hears Ralts's voice in his mind..."Promise me, Max! Promise me you'll come back and get me!" Max calls out that that's his promise, he will come back some day.

Major events

• Max befriends a wild Ralts, which he promises to return to when he begins his Pokémon journey.

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Ralts
• Gardevoir

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• May
• Brock
• Max
• Jessie
• James
• Nurse Joy
• Giovanni (fantasy)

Pokémon

Pokémon Trainer's Choice

Pokémon Trainer's Choice: Linoone

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Chimecho (James's)
• Snorunt (Ash's)
• Combusken (May's)
• Ludicolo (Brock's)
• Seviper (Jessie's)
• Dustox (Jessie's)
• Cacnea (James's)
• Chansey (Nurse Joy's)
• Ralts (Max's; befriended, debut)
• Kirlia
• Gardevoir (debut)

Trivia

Meowth on the Pokédex

• Team Rocket's Meowth, due to being disguised, is scanned in a Pokédex for the first time.
• Ralts is the second Pokémon that has spoken a human language telepathically to Max, after Jirachi.
• Music from Pikachu's Rescue Adventure, Pikachu's Vacation, and The Power of One are used.
• This episode's dub title is a reference to the 1965 Broadway musical, Do I Hear a Waltz?.
• In the English dub, Ralts' speaking voice is done by Rachael Lillis.

Errors

• The Swedish dub erroneously states that Ralts is the evolved form of Kirlia and not the other way around.

Dub edits

• The scene of Max's run to the Pokémon Center replaced Smile with a song produced for the dub of this episode called Please.
• In the Danish dub when Max runs to May, Max just sobs instead of saying her name.

Pokémon Trainer's Choice

• Question: Trainers, Which Pokémon is not a Dual-type Pokémon?
• Choices: Medicham, Linoone, Lunatone
• Answer: OK, Trainers! If you chose Linoone, you were right!

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		拯救拉魯拉絲！動作快點　小勝！
Danish		Hører jeg en Ralts?
Dutch		Hoor ik een Ralts?
Finnish		Ralts vaarassa
European French		Un Pokémon en danger
German		Max, halte durch!
Hebrew		מקס וראלטס Max veRalts
Italian		Il piccolo eroe
Norwegian		Hører jeg en Ralts?
Brazilian Portuguese		Eu Ouvi um Ralts?
Spanish	Latin America	¿Acaso escuché un Ralts?
	Spain	¿Me ha hablado un Ralts?
Swedish		Max blir kär

← AG108 : Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt!

Advanced Generation series

AG110 : The Great Eight Fate! →

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.