Chapter 39: Baawool and the Ranch
Once they leave the Lighthouse and Beacon gives Gina a goodbye hug, the group head towards Route 11. Gina says, "This route is actually famous for the Haybarrel Ranch."
"Haybarrel Ranch?" Ash asks. "What is that place?"
Red says, "Why don't we go there so that Ash can understand what's going on."
Ash nods as they enter the route, but they see Keira walking towards them.
"Hey, guys. Isn't this place beautiful? That lighthouse is so incredible." Keira says.
"You are right." Alice says.
Then Keira notices the two people and she asks, "So who are those two people? It seems like you have been changing your travel companions all the time."
After introducing Gina and Red to her, Keira is really surprised.
"Wow, the King has returned, that is big news." Keira laughs. "But I have been going well in this journey. I've met so many different kinds of people and Pokemon. It's so much fun."
Ash says, "I agree, it sure is fun."
"Not far from here, there is a place called Lake Bliss. I've heard that there are a lot of beautiful flowers and cute Pokemon there. Even rare ones. I'm gonna go there and see what I can get."
"Rare ones?" Ash asks. "Sounds interesting."
"For now, we can have a Pokemon battle!" Keira says as she sends out Roobeop. "Let's see how far we have become."
Ash sends out his Kapplash to battle, and then Kapplash takes the first win after the Roobeop misses the Power-Up Punch. Then Pooldog is defeated by Ash's Pikachu, who is speedy and quick. And then Nimblow is defeated by Ash's Eclipser, who uses Rock Tomb to lower its speed and then defeats with a Stone Edge. Pixilily is the fourth one as Ash uses Frogoo to defeat it with the Sludge Bomb. Mountree is the final Pokemon as Ash uses Purryo to Flamethrower and Quicksand it.
"You did so well." Keira says as she recalls her Mountree. "But I think I did well, too! You always need to have confidence in yourself and learn from your losses!"
"You're right." Ash says.
"Well, I have a useful gift for you as well." Keira says as she takes out an Amulet Coin. "An Amulet Coin? I know I can get more money from this."
"Yeah, I have to find Rodney. I will give him one, too. See you." Then she leaves.
Red says, "He did battle well."
"Yeah." Delia says. "His style is just like you."
"I know." Red laughs.
Once they arrive at the Ranch, they see a cowgirl walking over to them. "Howdy there! Are you a Trainer?"
"Yeah." Ash says as they introduce themselves.
"Oh, I can't believe that it is the King, the queen, the prince, the princess, and the gym leader." The cowgirl says. "My name is Sally and I live and work here at Haybarrel Ranch! I suppose you've heard of this place. This is where we raise Baawool. Come! I'll show you around."
"Sure." Ash says as they are going in, but they hear Rodney yells, "Hey, Wait up!"
Rodney and Keira also come as Rodney says, "Are you going to Haybarrel Ranch?"
"Who might you two be?" Sally asks.
"I'm Rodney." "And my name is Keira. We are here to see the Baawool if that's OK!"
"Sure, I was going to show them around! Just join us!" Then they are taken to the farmhouse.
"This is our farmhouse. My dad built it. All of the farmworkers live there."
Then she turns around and says, "And this is the berry planting field! If you have some berries to plant, just try it out!"
"Sure."Ash says.
Then they finally arrive at a barn. "This is our barn! In it, we raise our Baawool and, when they are old enough, we evolve them with evolutionary stones. Come in, I'll show you all the Baawool!"
As they get inside the barn, Sandy then shows them 40 Baawool in the fence. "And here are the Baawool!"
"They are so cute." Keira says in delight.
"They are, aren't they? Baawool are well-known for their amazingly soft and silky wool." Sandy says.
"I've heard that Baawool can evolve into different Pokemon. Is that right?" Rodney asks.
"Yes! That's right! Baawool can evolve into six different Pokemon of different types using evolutionary stones." Sandy says.
"Wow! I want one so bad! Can we pet them?" Alice says.
"Why not?" Sandy says. "While you're at it." Then she takes them indoors as they see six different breeders taking care of six different evolutions. "You can ask the breeders here about the evolutions! I am sure they can give information about them!"
As everyone splits up, Ash and Alice decide to check the Pokemon first. The first one is Baabush.
"This is the Grass Type evolution of Baawool. It evolves from Baawool when it is exposed to Leaf Stone! Baabush's wool is very bushy and bouncy! It has an amazing aroma! Have a sniff."
As Ash sniffs it, he says, "I am in love with the smell...maybe Alice, you should have a perfume that smells like this."
"I will consider." Alice giggles.
Then they go to the next one. "This is Baabble. It's the Water Type evolution of Baawool when it is exposed to Water Stone. Its wool is very silky and smooth! Touch it."
As Alice touches it, she says, "It's like running my hand through the water." Ash does the same and agrees with Alice.
"Then this is Baablaze, it is the Fire Type evolution of Baawool that is exposed to Fire Stone." The third breeder says as Ash touches it. "It is so soft and warm."
"It sure is, hikers often use its wool in their clothes to keep warm." The breeder says.
Then for the fourth one, it is a Baabreeze, the flying type evolution that is evolved from an Air Stone. Alice touches it and she says, "It is so soft and light...it is like my pillow back in my gym."
"Yeah, it is often used in pillows. it's like sleeping on a cloud." The breeder says.
Then the fifth one is the Baablock, it is Rock Type and it evolves from Baawool with a Solid Stone.
"I have never heard of this type of evolution stone before." Ash says. "And it is rough and dry..."
"It is one of the strongest materials in the world, after all." The breeder says.
And the last one piques Alice's interest. The Baablizz. The Ice Type one that evolves from Ice Stone.
"It is very thick and sleek. It's mostly used for clothing for people in the colder parts of the region. It insulates heat." The breeder says.
Ash says, "Alice seems to like this one."
Alice says, "Of course."
Sandy comes and asks, "So what do you think?"
Alice says, "I love them so much. Especially for this Baablizz."
Ash says, "Well, I am not sure what evolution I want."
Before Sandy can say, they hear an explosion and she says, "What's that?"
"It came from the back of the barn!" Ash says.
They rush outside and they see that a Team Solar grunt has taken 10 Baawool in the nets and the others are chasing the other Baawool.
"Get back here!" The grunt yells. "You can't escape me."
"Herd them in!" The only female grunt says.
"Hey, it's Team Solar!" Rodney says.
"Leave those poor Baawool alone!" Keira says.
The Team Solar grunts see them and one says, "Not those kids again..."
"Who are these people? What are they doing with the Baawool?!" Sandy asks.
"They are bad guys." Alice says.
"We're taking these Baawool! They'll be useful for us!"
"Stay out of the way, kids! You've messed with our plans too many times, already!"
"Take them out!" As the Solar Grunts take out their Pokemon, Ash says, "Guys, let's show them what we've got. We'll take care of this, Sally."
Then they also send out their Pokemon. And both Ash and Alice defeat some Pokemon, thus making them evolve.
Mountree: The Guardian Pokemon: Grass and Rock Type. Evolved from Forestone at LV:36. Mountree guards its forest against any danger, willing to risk its life to help those in need. Its shell is as hard as granite.
Flearoe: The Gepard Pokemon: Fire and Ground Type. Evolved from Purryo at LV:36. Flearoe attacks by exhaling hot breath that singes its opponents. Its fur produces heat on its own and is sometimes used to produce winter clothing.
Salaslam: The Salamander Pokemon: Water and Poison Type. Evolved from Salanip at LV:36. This Pokémon can slug prey with its powerful arms and tail. Salaslam can excrete toxins through its mouth and skin.
Horshush: The Horse Pokemon: Grass Type. Evolved from Spony with High Friendship. In the past, Horshush were the primary form of transportation in the Rikoto region. Since then, farmers raise them for their ability to rejuvenate tired soil.
Moostrike: The Moose Pokemon: Normal and Steel Type. Evolved from Moostone at LV:36. Moostrike are fierce and aggressive Pokémon, despite their appearance and usual portrayal. Males are known to fight to near-death over territory and mates.
Banshreek: The Banshee Pokemon: Ghost Type. Evolved from Skreech at LV:36. Banshreek are seen as heralds of the passing. It is a common belief for families to shut their windows close at the sight of one.
"Not again...why do you keep messing with our plans?!" The grunt yells.
"Let's get out of here, FLASH!" As they leave, Ash rushes to the net and free all the Baawool, and much to his surprise, the Baawool all hug him as thanks.
Sandy says, "Thank you so much for saving the Baawool! I don't know what I would've done if they had gotten away with them! I need to go tell my pap what happened! Come with me!"
As they try to leave, much to their surprise is that the 10 Baawool also follow them. Once they are at the farmhouse, Sandy tells everything to her father. Sandy's dad says. "Sounds like these kids save the day, then!"
"They did, Pap! They saved all the Baawool!" The Baawool also nods in agreement.
"Thank you kids! Who knows what that Team Solar would have done with the Baawool! You saved them and our ranch!"
"It was no problem at all!" Rodney says.
"We're glad we could help!" Keira says.
Sandy's father sees the Baawool and says, "I want to thank you for the gift. I will let you take care of these Baawool that follow you here from our ranch to keep for yourselves."
"Really?!" Rodney asks in surprise.
"Wow, thank you! Oh gosh! I am so happy!" Alice says in joy as she hugs Ash.
"It's the least we could do!" Sandy says. "Oh, and we also have a lot of Evolution Stones for them as well, if you want, I can give you for their evolution as well."
Then Ash gets all six of the evolution in the end while Alice gets her own Baablizz. Then they scan their new Pokemon.
Baawool: The Fluffy Wool Pokemon: Normal Type. Baawools are famous for their soft wool which is used for all sorts of clothing. Baawool farms still thrive today due to the lack of artificial material that can replace wool.
Baabush: The Aroma Wool Pokemon: Normal and Grass Type. Evolved from Baawool with a Leaf soft, bushy wool of Baabush regrow instantly under sunlight if sheared. It has a pleasant aroma which is used in perfumes.
Baablaze: The Heat Wool Pokemon: Normal and Fire Type. Evolved from Baawool with a Fire Stone. The coat of Baablaze is revered by many who live in cold climates to be the best; not just for retaining heat, but even generating warmth on its own.
Baabble: The Damp Wool Pokemon: Normal and Water Type. Evolved from Baawool with a Water Stone. Baabble's wool can soak up the water of a volume much larger than its size, and yet remain dry to the touch. Towels produced from the wool are a customer favorite.
Baabreeze: The Windy Wool Pokemon: Normal and Flying Type. Evolved from Baawool with an Air Stone. Baabreeze's wool feels as light as air. It's often used for blankets and pillows to provide a soft texture as if a piece of cloud to the sleeping.
Baablock: The Hard Wool Pokemon: Normal and Rock Type. Evolved from Baawool with a Solid Stone. Baablock's wool cannot be sheared with mundane tools at all, as they are as hard as a rock; They are valuable in building walls and other strong structures.
Baablizz: The Snow Wool Pokemon: Normal and Ice Type. Evolved from Baawool with an Ice Stone. Baablizz's wool can cool down a heated piece of metal without being ignited. It is considered a cheap substitute for air conditioners in arid areas.
"I'm so happy! My Baawool is so cute!" Keira says. "I wonder what I should evolve it into!"
"I already know what mine will be." Rodney says. "So Ash, where are you off to next?"
"Well, I want to find the sixth gym, but I want to check out Rassic City as well." Ash says.
"Rassic City? I've heard of that place. There's an Artifact Museum. They have heaps of ancient things there. It's pretty cool!" Rodney says.
"I think that to get to Rassic City, you have to go to Sailport Town. It's not too far from here." Keira says. "I am going to Lake Bliss. I've heard that there are many cute Pokemon there!"
"I am going to the Safari Zone. It's not far from here, either. I'll catch you later!" Rodney says.
Then they bid farewell to the two people, and then they go bid farewell to Sandy and her father as they head on the road.
Ash has all six of Baawool evolution, and Alice also has one. As for Red's Pokemon, since he was dead and his Pokemon were as well, so he will be sharing Pokemon with Delia and Ash in the journey.
New Pokemon: Mountree, Flearoe, Salaslam, Horshush, Moostrike, Banshreek, Baabush, Baablaze, Baabble, Baabreeze, Baablock, Baablizz
