AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 38 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. Whitney and her uncle, Milton, make appearances in this chapter. I've also decided to have Evan and Braden join them in this and the next chapter. Please feel free to read and leave responsible reviews at your leisure.
TEASER: Tristan and Hillary meet up with their brothers, Evan and Braden, as well as their grandparents, plus Milton and her niece, Whitney, the Goldenrod Gym Leader. Together, they learn about Milton's farm and the Miltank.
Chapter 38. A VISIT TO MILTON'S FARM
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard in "Once in a Blue Moon"))
Our heroes, Tristan and Hillary have finally made it to Goldenrod City, home of Tristan's third Gym battle. Today, Tristan has high hopes of earning his third Johto League Gym badge, but little does he know that his hopes for a quick win will be dashed by one little technicality.
Veronica and Eric drove Tristan and Hillary through the streets of Goldenrod City the next morning.
"Goldenrod City's a lot bigger than I thought," remarked Hillary.
Eric nodded in agreement. "It's the largest city in the whole Johto region. There's always something for everyone to do."
"The only thing that's there for me is the Goldenrod Gym," said Tristan.
"We thought as much," smiled Veronica and Eric together.
Veronica's car pulled to a stop right in front of the Gym.
"Let's go, Pikachu!" said Tristan excitedly as he and Pikachu ran for the Gym.
"Hey, wait for us, Tristan!" called Hillary as she ran right behind him carrying Togepi as she went.
Veronica and Eric looked on.
"Well, there's no sense wasting time, dear," remarked Eric. "Those kids sure are fast."
"Reminds me of us when we were little kids," agreed Veronica as she and Eric came to the Gym's doors.
Unfortunately, when Tristan and Hillary came to the Gym's entrance, they noticed a sign.
"Closed?" gasped Tristan. "No fair!"
"We just have bad timing, huh?" said Hillary.
"I guess you'll have to come back there tomorrow," said Veronica.
Tristan felt sad as he and Hillary followed Veronica and Eric back to the car.
(Music Cue: Bicycle 1999-2001)
"Aw, don't feel bad," said Veronica to Tristan as she drove the car through the city. "I'm sure there's a logical explanation as to why the Gym is closed."
"I know," sighed Tristan, who was no longer feeling excited. "I was just super psyched and ready to battle the Gym Leader."
Pikachu felt sad, too.
"I wouldn't worry, grand-sonny," Eric assured him. "You'll get your Gym battle one way or another."
"Grandpa's right, Tristan," agreed Hillary. "Before you know it, you'll be battling the Gym Leader, and you'll earn your third badge."
Togepi chirped in agreement.
"Besides," added Veronica, "your grandfather and I have been wanting to take you someplace you'll really enjoy. It just might perk your spirit right back up again."
"What do you mean, Grandma?" asked Tristan.
"You'll see," promised Veronica.
"Hillary, you'll love this place, too," added Eric.
"Why's that, Grandpa?" asked Hillary.
"Well, you know that we always get delicious Moomoo Milk at the grocery store, and you kids always enjoy the taste of it," explained Veronica. "Not to mention that you'll grow up healthy and strong. So we decided to take you to a dairy just outside of Goldenrod City."
"A dairy?" Tristan and Hillary were confused.
"Think of it as a field trip, really," added Eric. "Now you'll get a chance to see how milk is processed."
"Now that's a tasty idea, guys," smiled Tristan. "I'm in."
"Me, too," added Hillary.
Pikachu and Togepi were excited by the idea.
"That's the spirit, you two," smiled Eric.
"All right then, let's go to Milton's Dairy Farm," said Veronica as she continued to drive the car all over Goldenrod City.
Just outside the city limits, there was a farm and a large grassy pasture.
"Wow, that must be it, right?" said Tristan.
"Yes it is," answered Veronica. "I called Milton on the phone late last night after we got to Goldenrod City and asked him if we could stop by the farm today."
"And sure enough, he said yes," added Eric.
"Now we'll get to see where milk actually comes from, and we'll see how it gets processed, too," said Hillary.
"Just thinking about it makes me want to have some milk right now," added Tristan.
Veronica gave a good chuckle. "Now that's what I call thirsting for adventure." She then parked the car and everyone got out.
Hillary was amazed by the surroundings. "This is amazing. Whoever works here must take really good care of this place."
"I'll say," agreed Tristan. "It makes me just want to relax the day away."
Presently, a young teenage girl with pink hair tied in two ponytails walked up. She wore a white shirt with pink stripes on the sleeves and short white shorts. "Oh, hello, there," she said. "You must be the guests my uncle Milton was talking about."
"That's us," replied Veronica.
The girl then saw Pikachu perched on Tristan's shoulder. "Oh, wow! A Pikachu! It's so cute!" She gently took Pikachu and held it in her arms.
"Hey, be careful, miss, that's a..." Tristan began. But he saw that Pikachu took a liking to the girl almost immediately.
(Music Cue: Route 29)
"Aren't you just the cutest little thing?" said the girl. "I'd sure like to show you around the farm." She then noticed Hillary's Togepi. "Oh, a cute Togepi! May I hold it?"
"Sure, I guess," said Hillary.
The girl gently picked up Togepi and put it in her arms just as Pikachu climbed onto the girl's shoulder. "I just love cute Pokémon. Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Whitney."
"Hi, Whitney, my name's Tristan," said Tristan. "This is my sister, Hillary. And you've met Pikachu and Togepi."
"Hello," greeted Hillary.
"I'm Eric and this is my wife, Veronica," said Eric. "We're Tristan and Hillary's grandparents."
"It's so nice to meet you all," smiled Whitney. "Let me take you to my uncle Milton so you can meet him."
Presently, a man with a mustache came up to them. He had a cowboy hat on his head and a red bandanna around his neck. "Hey, Whitney, you got visitors?"
"Yes, Uncle Milton," replied Whitney. "This is Veronica and Eric, and their grandchildren, Tristan and Hillary."
"Well, howdy, there," replied Milton. "So you're the ones I've been expecting. Come on and follow me. I'll show you around the farm."
As Milton and Whitney led Tristan, Hillary, and their grandparents around the farm, they noticed scores of pink bipedal bovine Pokémon with yellow bellies. They had small white horns on their heads and long, thin tails that were tipped with black spheres. Some of them were grazing on the fresh grass while others dozed.
"Holy cow!" exclaimed Veronica and Eric as they looked at them all.
"I've never seen those Pokémon before," said Tristan.
"Whatever they are, there sure are a lot of them," added Hillary.
"Those are Uncle Milton's Miltank," explained Whitney.
"Right, Whitney," agreed Milton. "I take care of all of my Miltank, and they help me take care of the farm in return."
"Let's find out more about Miltank," said Tristan as he took out his Pokédex, Dexter, and scanned them.
"Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokémon. Miltank produces very nutritious milk, a perfect drink for reviving sick Pokémon. Miltank are very even tempered, and prefer not to battle."
"Wow, I never knew that the milk that we drink could come from these Miltank," said Tristan.
"Uncle Milton always knows that the freshest milk is the best milk," explained Whitney. "Why don't we all go into the farmhouse and try those things together?"
"Okay," replied Tristan and Hillary as they went with Whitney and Milton into the farmhouse.
Veronica and Eric followed.
Inside, two other people were enjoying the fresh Miltank milk that Milton had served them. They were Evan and Braden, Tristan and Hillary's brothers.
"Wow, this is great stuff!" said Evan.
"Yeah," agreed Braden. "I know that Grandma and Grandpa said that Tristan and Hillary were on their way to Goldenrod City. I'm sure that they'd love the fresh taste of the Miltank dairy products.
Presently, Milton came into the room. "Hey, you two, we got more visitors!"
Tristan and Hillary came into the room, and were pleasantly surprised to see Braden and Evan there.
"Wow! Tristan, look, it's Braden and Evan!" cried Hillary excitedly.
"No kidding!" agreed Tristan as he and Hillary quickly came over to meet them.
Whitney, Veronica, and Eric followed them.
"Hey, guys," smiled Braden. "Long time, no see."
"Yeah, great timing," added Evan.
"What are you doing back in Goldenrod City?" asked Hillary.
"Grandma and Grandpa told us that you were coming over," explained Braden. "So we decided to see if we could visit with you and see how you were doing."
"I'm doing great," replied Tristan. "I have two badges so far, and I caught a Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and a Totodile."
"And I also participated in the Little Cup," added Hillary.
"That's awesome!" said Braden. "I'm almost jealous."
"We heard you had a nice visit with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa," said Evan. "How are they?"
"Your great-grandmother recently had an accident, but was recently released from the hospital," answered Veronica. "She's doing better now, but still taking it easy. Your great-grandfather seems to be doing okay, too.
"And we even helped rescue their eggs from Team Rocket," added Hillary.
"And Hillary and I got eggs of our own to take care of," finished Tristan.
"Oh, speaking of eggs, Tristan, I was wondering if you'd left your Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise with them," said Braden.
"Come on, Braden, don't pressure Tristan like that!" scolded Hillary. "Those three Pokémon were three of his best Pokémon! He left them there to do you a favor!"
"It's all right, sis," said Tristan. "Yes, Braden, they're all there and helping Great-Grandma Rachael with the eggs. And I'm sure they'll get along with her very well. Besides, they might have some eggs waiting for you when you get there. Not only that, when they hatch, there'll be more starter Pokémon to give away at Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town to give to new Trainers when he gets them."
"Oh, yeah, good point," said Hillary.
"Thanks, Tristan," smiled Braden. "This'll really help me add some new information to my Pokédex."
"Hey, anybody care for a taste of fresh milk?" asked Milton.
"We do!" said Tristan and Hillary together.
"Hey, Tristan, why don't you and Hillary let out your Pokémon to try some of the fresh milk, too?" suggested Whitney.
"Okay," replied Tristan as he took out his Friend Ball, Fast Ball, and Lure Ball. "Come on out, guys!"
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile all emerged from the white lights that shot out of Tristan's Poké Balls..
"Don't forget about mine!" added Hillary as she took out some of her Poké Balls.
Hillary's Squirtle, Cyndaquil, and Eevee emerged from the white lights that shot out of them and sat next to Togepi.
"Drink up, guys!" said Tristan and Hillary to their Pokémon.
Everyone drank up the milk, and they were so in love with the taste that they all asked for seconds, much to Whitney and Milton's delight.
"I'll go get some more things for you guys to try," said Whitney.
"Good idea," agreed Milton as Whitney went into the kitchen.
A moment later, she emerged with several things in hand, including yogurt, ice cream, cheese, and milkshakes. "Who wants a sample of some of this?"
"I'd love to have a taste of that yogurt," said Tristan.
"I'll have some cheese," put in Hillary.
"Milkshakes for me!" added Braden.
"Ice cream, please!" finished Evan.
"Help yourselves!" smiled Whitney.
"Thanks, Whitney!" replied Tristan, Hillary, Evan, and Braden together. And they all enjoyed the delicious taste of all the Miltank dairy products.
Later, Milton and Whitney showed everyone the milking machines inside the barn.
Milton attached the tubes to three of the Miltank's udders and teats while they were kept comfortable on soft piles of hay. "This is how we milk the Miltank, kids," he said as he started the machine up.
Instantly, the milk went through the tubes and into the containers on the machine.
"So that's how Miltank get milked, right?" said Hillary.
Milton nodded.
"Those Miltank sure don't mind that very much, do they?" remarked Evan.
"Milton helps the Miltank give the milk while they're relaxing," explained Eric.
"That's right, Eric," smiled Milton.
"And once it gets processed, it gets delivered to grocery stores all over the Johto region," added Veronica.
"Right again," smiled Milton.
"Isn't it a hard job doing it all by yourself?" asked Braden.
"Not with all the Miltank helping me," chuckled Milton. "It can be hard sometimes, though. But Whitney stops by every once in awhile and helps me around the farm."
"I'm gonna go train with my Pokémon for a little bit, Uncle Milton," said Whitney as she ran out of the barn.
Milton watched her go. "Ah, to feel as young and energetic as her again," sighed Milton. He then turned to Tristan, Hillary, Evan, and Braden. "Why don't you kids go outside for a while and have some fun? I'll be there to join you in a little bit."
"Okay," they all replied.
Veronica and Eric agreed.
They came to a large hill as Whitney stood on top.
"I wonder what Whitney's gonna do," said Hillary.
"Let's watch," replied Braden.
"Miltank, I choose you!" shouted Whitney as she threw a Poké Ball.
(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle (as heard in "One Trick Phony"))
Her Miltank emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It looked stronger than all the other Miltank.
Tristan and Hillary gasped in shock.
"She's got a Miltank, too!" exclaimed Tristan.
Braden nodded. "I remember facing this Miltank in my Gym battle with Whitney during my journey through Johto as well," explained Braden. "It gave me real trouble when I first faced off against her."
"What do you mean, Braden?" asked Hillary.
"You'll see," replied Braden.
"Miltank, use Rollout to roll down the hill!" instructed Whitney.
Instantly, Miltank rolled into a ball and began to spin round and round. As it rolled down the hill, it rolled faster and faster.
"Whoa, that's fast!" gasped Hillary. "So, Tristan, do you have any second thoughts on facing that Miltank in your Gym Battle?"
Tristan said nothing. He just kept concentrating on Whitney's Miltank.
"Now, Miltank, roll back up the hill!" commanded Whitney.
Quickly, Miltank turned around and rolled up the hill, still spinning around and around. Despite the upward climb, it still had the momentum from going downhill.
"So that's what that Miltank's doing," said Hillary.
Braden nodded in agreement. "The more time Miltank has when using its Rollout attack, the faster it goes; and the faster it goes, the more powerful its Rollout attack becomes."
Tristan silently agreed. Braden may be right about that, he thought. There's no way that my Pokémon would stand a chance against Miltank's Rollout attack in a normal Gym. There has to be some way to beat it. But what?
Veronica and Eric were impressed with Whitney's Miltank's incredible speed.
"I could certainly learn a thing or two from Whitney," remarked Veronica.
"That Miltank sure is on a roll," agreed Eric. "It's having a wheel good time."
At that moment, Miltank had reached the top of the hill and got out of its spin.
"Well done, Miltank!" praised Whitney as she gently stroked it.
Her Miltank happily replied.
Miltank did some more Rollout attacks going downhill and back uphill.
After a few minutes, Whitney called her Miltank back. "Why don't you take a little break?"
Her Miltank smiled as Whitney returned it to its Poké Ball.
As Whitney started walking back to the farmhouse, Milton came outside to join Tristan and his family members. He had finished his work for the the afternoon. "Ah, so Whitney and her Miltank are rolling right along," remarked Milton. "That's what being a good Gym Leader is all about, isn't it?"
Tristan and Hillary gasped in shock. "Whitney's the Gym Leader?!"
"That's right!" smiled Milton.
Whitney came to Milton. "Oops, I guess I should've mentioned that one."
"We saw that the Gym was closed today," explained Hillary.
"Oh, never mind that silly sign," smiled Whitney. "Today's actually my day off, so I thought I'd stop by the farm to see Uncle Milton."
(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (Ash Appears))
"Whitney," said Tristan, "I was hoping that you'd accept my challenge for a Gym battle."
"I'd be happy to open up the Gym for you, Tristan," replied Whitney, "but since today's such a beautiful day, why don't we have it out here on the hill near the farm?"
Tristan was confused. "Why here?"
"It'll give more room for our Pokémon to battle instead of at the Gym," explained Whitney. "What do you say?"
"Besides, a Gym is just a building," added Milton. "And defeating the Gym Leader's toughest Pokémon out here will prove that you're ready for any situation."
"Well, Milton's right, grand-sonny," said Eric. "Do you want to do it here?"
Tristan gave the matter a lot of thought. At last, he said, "It's a deal. Out here it is."
"Great!" smiled Whitney. "Then let's get ready."
"Wow, so they're battling out here!" said Evan excitedly. "I can't wait to see how this turns out!"
"Yes, let's hope Tristan has a strategy in mind to defeat that Miltank," added Braden.
"Knowing him, he'll come up with the perfect strategy when the time is right," said Veronica.
"Good luck, Tristan," whispered Hillary.
And so, Tristan issues a challenge to Whitney, the Goldenrod Gym Leader, on the farm just outside of Goldenrod City. What strategy will Tristan have up his sleeve? Find out next time when Tristan faces her for a Johto League Plain Badge!
► TO BE CONTINUED