AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 39 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. Veronica, Eric, Evan, and Braden make appearances, but Whitney and Milton from the anime do, too. I was inspired to write this chapter after my experiences in the Goldenrod Gym on the Gold, SIlver, and Crystal version games where Clefairy's Metronome morphed into an Aeroblast attack. Also, this chapter is based off the Pokémon: Johto League Champions episode "A Dairy Tale Ending." But I've added a few twists as you'll soon see. As always, please feel free to read and leave responsible reviews at your leisure.

TEASER: It's Tristan versus Whitney at the Miltank Dairy. After a fierce battle, will Tristan come out on top and earn the coveted Plain Badge he worked so hard for?

Chapter 39: OPERATION ROLLOUT

(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard in "Chikorita's Big Upset"))

After our heroes visited their great-grandparents at their Pokémon nursery, our heroes, accompanied by their grandparents made it to Goldenrod City. Eager to press on and be one step closer to competing in the Johto League, our heroes and their grandparents went to the Goldenrod Gym so that Tristan could challenge the Gym Leader for a Johto League Plain Badge. But last time, Tristan's excitement was short-lived, for he and Hillary found out that the Gym was closed. So they decided to pay a visit to the Miltank dairy farm just outside of town.

There they met Milton and his niece, Whitney, little realizing that Whitney was the Goldenrod Gym Leader.

Our heroes were pleasantly surprised to see their brothers Evan and Braden taking a break from the journey in Kanto to visit with them. They all enjoyed the fresh taste of the dairy products while in the process, they learned more about Miltank and how it produced the milk.

But while they watched Whitney train with her strong Miltank, she revealed her status as Gym Leader to the surprise of our heroes.

Immediately upon the realization, Tristan challenged her to a Gym battle; however, Whitney suggested that they battle on the hill, a challenge Tristan happily accepted.

So now, after much anticipation and journeying, Tristan's third Johto League Gym battle is about to begin! Having seen Whitney's powerful Miltank in action, and without his Venusaur and Blastoise to aid him, will Tristan still be able to find a way to defeat it and win his third Johto League Gym badge?

"Wow," said Braden as he and the others prepared to watch Tristan's battle with Whitney. "It's been a long time since I've seen someone else compete in a Gym battle. Besides me, anyway."

"Yeah, but Tristan's never gone up against a Miltank before," reminded Hillary, "especially one that knows how to use Rollout."

"Do you know what the rules are for this Gym battle, Braden?" asked Veronica.

"Last time I challenged Whitney, it was three-on-three," answered Braden. "But since we're seeing a Gym battle at the farm instead of at the Gym, the rules could change."

"Is that really possible?" asked Evan.

"I'm sure that's happened in the past," replied Hillary. "But it all depends on what Pokémon Whitney uses first. You can count on her using that powerful Miltank of hers."

(Music Cue: Johto Rival Theme)

Tristan and Pikachu were eagerly awaiting the start of the battle as they faced Whitney on the hill.

Milton came to the field to judge the match as he carried red and green flags. "I used to be a judge back in my younger days, but I should tell you that this official Gym battle between Tristan from New Bark Town and Whitney the Goldenrod Gym Leader will now begin. Each Trainer will use three Pokémon, and the battle will be over when all three of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle. Only the challenger will be allowed to switch Pokémon."

"Well, Tristan, I hope you're ready for a good battle," said Whitney. "Just because we're friends doesn't mean I'll go easy on you."

"Fine by me, Whitney," replied Tristan.

Whitney took out a Poké Ball and threw it. "I choose Nidorina!"

A light blue quadruped Pokémon with dark blue patches emerged from the white light that shot out of it.

Evan was confused. "Why Nidorina? Nidorina's not a Normal-type."

"My guess is that she wanted to throw Tristan off guard," replied Eric. "However, he doesn't seem to be fazed by that choice."

"So, Nidorina's the first up," said Tristan as he threw his Fast Ball. "Cyndaquil, I choose you!"

Cyndaquil emerged from the white light that shot out of it and prepared to face Nidorina.

"Let's begin now!" said Whitney. "Nidorina, Tackle attack!"

Nidorina charged full-body style straight towards Cyndaquil.

"Dodge it, Cyndaquil!" commanded Tristan.

Cyndaquil jumped high into the air and avoided Nidorina's Tackle attack.

"Yeah, that was great, Cyndaquil!" commended Tristan.

"Your Cyndaquil's light on its feet," remarked Whitney. "But we're just getting started. Nidorina, Double Kick!"

Now it was Nidorina's turn to jump into the air, and using its hind legs, it landed two well-placed kicks on Cyndaquil, sending it plummeting to the ground.

Evan and Hillary gasped in shock, for they didn't know that Whitney's Nidorina could have a Double Kick that strong.

"Poor Cyndaquil!" said Hillary.

"Let's hope it's all right!" added Evan.

"That Double Kick must've taken Cyndaquil by surprise," remarked Veronica.

"It probably took Tristan by surprise, too," added Eric.

"Cyndaquil, can you stand up?" asked Tristan.

Cyndaquil easily got back up on its feet, for Nidorina's Double Kick did little more than help Cyndaquil focus even more on the match.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" said Tristan excitedly. "All right, Whitney, what else have you got?"

"Now, Nidorina, Poison Sting!" instructed Whitney.

Nidorina shot poisonous needles from its mouth at Cyndaquil.

"Cyndaquil, dodge using Quick Attack now!" ordered Tristan.

Cyndaquil zigzagged as a white line trailed behind it, allowing it to dodge Poison Sting.

"That Cyndaquil gets faster every time it battles," remarked Hillary. "It makes me wonder how my Cyndaquil can even keep up at that speed."

"Cyndaquil, Flamethrower attack!" commanded Tristan.

Cyndaquil, having already ignited the flame on its back, shot a powerful blast of fire from its mouth, scoring a direct hit on Nidorina.

"Nidorina!" cried Whitney.

"Yes!" said Braden. "That sure hit the mark!"

"Now's your chance, Tristan!" called Hillary.

"All right, Cyndaquil, finish it off with Tackle attack!" shouted Tristan.

Cyndaquil charged full-body style toward Nidorina and scored a direct hit on it, causing it to be sent flying.

"No, Nidorina!" cried Whitney.

Nidorina had a dazed look in its eyes as it fell to the ground. It had been knocked out.

"Nidorina is unable to battle...Cyndaquil wins!" declared Milton as he raised his green flag.

"Excellent job, Cyndaquil," commended Tristan.

Cyndaquil smiled happily as it rejoiced in its first victory.

Whitney recalled her Nidorina and held her Poké Ball close to her. "You did a great job, Nidorina. And so did you, Tristan. Your Cyndaquil's really strong. But don't expect this to be over so easily." She took out her second Poké Ball and threw it. "Go, Clefairy!"

A bipedal pink Pokémon with a vaguely chubby star-shaped body emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It had black pointy ears, a pink, curly tail, and pink butterfly wings.

"Aw, that Clefairy looks so cute!" said Hillary.

Togepi seemed to agree.

"Yes, dear, but remember, looks can be deceiving," replied Veronica.

"Clefairy, use your Metronome!" commanded Whitney.

Clefairy waved its arms in a rhythmic motion.

"You'd better be careful, Cyndaquil, because that Clefairy's Metronome can dish out any attack," advised Tristan.

Cyndaquil nodded.

Clefairy continued to wave its arms. At last it stopped, and its arms glowed brightly.

(Music Cue: Lugia Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))

Suddenly, a powerful blue beam of energy shot out from Clefairy's mouth.

Whitney and Milton both gasped in shock as the beam was launched.

"Cyndaquil, look out!" shouted Tristan.

But it was too late, for that beam came at Cyndaquil so fast that Cyndaquil had no time to react. As a result, the beam struck Cyndaquil full-force, sending it careening into the air.

"Cyndaquil, no!" cried Tristan.

Tristan and everyone else standing behind him shielded their faces from the intensely strong winds that followed.

"What's going on here?!" bellowed Evan.

Just as the wind stopped, Cyndaquil fell from the sky and landed on the ground with a crash.

"That was perfect, Clefairy!" cheered Whitney.

Clefairy smiled as it jumped for joy.

"What was that?" asked Braden.

"That must've been Aeroblast," replied Hillary. "Only the legendary Pokémon Lugia can use that attack."

"Under normal circumstances, yes," replied Veronica. "But since it was used via Metronome, that random attack was able to be executed by Clefairy."

"Cyndaquil, can you keep battling?" asked Tristan.

Cyndaquil slowly struggled back to its feet as its flame continued to burn.

"Whoa, that Aeroblast attack really took its toll on Cyndaquil," said Braden nervously. "Tristan had better think fast if he wants to end this match."

(Music Cue: Rocket Powered Disaster)

"Let's keep the pressure up, Clefairy!" commanded Whitney. "Use DoubleSlap attack now!"

Clefairy charged forward and repeatedly slapped Cyndaquil using its hands.

"Cyndaquil, move back and use your Smokescreen attack!" ordered Tristan.

Cyndaquil jumped back from Clefairy and unleashed a cloud of black smoke from its mouth, enveloping itself in it.

The smoke was so thick that Clefairy couldn't see through it.

"Great move!" said Hillary. "Using Smokescreen should give Cyndaquil an opportunity to launch a sneak attack!"

Whitney frantically searched for Cyndaquil as the smoke continued. "I can't see a thing through this smoke."

"Flamethrower!" ordered Tristan.

A powerful stream of fire blasted through the Smokescreen, causing the entire cloud of smoke to ignite, sending Clefairy reeling backward.

"Oh, no, Clefairy!" cried Whitney.

Clefairy dug its feet into the ground as it struggled to maintain its balance.

"Way to hang in there, Clefairy!" commended Whitney. "All right, use your Metronome again!"

Clefairy waved its arms in a rhythmic motion just like it did before.

"Metronome again? But why?" asked Braden.

"If I had to guess, Whitney wants to finish Cyndaquil off before it can do any more damage," replied Eric.

"Well, let's hope that Cyndaquil can survive another random attack," said Hillary nervously. "Because if Metronome turns out to be another powerful attack, it could cause big problems."

"Okay, Cyndaquil, your Smokescreen worked before, so let's do it again!" instructed Tristan.

Cyndaquil shot another black cloud of smoke in Clefairy's direction.

Clefairy continued to concentrate as it waved its fingers back and forth.

"We're not falling for that trick again," said Whitney. "Okay, Clefairy, let 'er rip!"

Suddenly, Clefairy's hands glowed, and it unleashed a powerful blast of water right through the smoke.

"Yikes!" cried Evan. "That's a Hydro Pump!"

"That attack will be super-strong against a Fire-type like Cyndaquil!" added Hillary.

"That's two powerful attacks from Clefairy's Metronome," remarked Veronica.

Sure enough, that's what it was, and the water was headed straight for Cyndaquil at breakneck speed.

"All right, Cyndaquil, jump on top of the water!" instructed Tristan.

Cyndaquil jumped as high as it could and landed on top of the water, much to the surprise of Whitney and Clefairy.

"That's it, now hit it with Quick Attack, go!" shouted Tristan.

Cyndaquil went faster as a white line trailed behind it, then it struck Clefairy head on, sending it flying.

"No, Clefairy!" cried Whitney.

Clefairy fell to the ground with a dazed expression its its eyes. It had been knocked out.

"Clefairy is unable to battle...Cyndaquil wins!" declared Milton as he raised his green flag in the air.

"Way to tough it out, Cyndaquil!" commended Tristan.

Whitney took her Clefairy off the field and gently set it down next to her. "You were awesome, Clefairy," she said. "You just take it easy for a while."

Clefairy nodded as it looked on.

"All right, Tristan, it's time for my third and final Pokémon," said Whitney. "And you know that it's one tough cookie."

When Cyndaquil heard the word "tough," it turned up the flame on its back.

Whitney took out her third Poké Ball and threw it. "Miltank, I choose you!"

(Music Cue: Johto Champion Battle (slightly higher pitched (as heard in "Love, Pokémon Style")))

Whitney's Miltank emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It looked like it was ready to rock and roll.

"Well, this is it," said Evan nervously. "Two of Whitney's Pokémon down and only one tough Miltank to go."

"Hey, if I can beat that Miltank, then Tristan can, too," said Braden.

"But don't forget Cyndaquil looks like it's pretty tired," remarked Hillary.

"Yes, it does seem that way, doesn't it?" agreed Veronica.

"All right, Cyndaquil, let's win this!" said Tristan.

Cyndaquil nodded in agreement and charged into battle.

"All right, let 'Operation: Rollout' begin!" said Whitney. "Miltank, use Rollout attack!"

Miltank rolled into a wheel and started rolling down the hill at breakneck speed.

"Cyndaquil, use your Quick Attack to stop it!" ordered Tristan.

Cyndaquil sped toward Miltank as a white line trailed behind it.

Unfortunately, Miltank was rolling so fast that Quick Attack proved to be useless against it.

So as Cyndaquil struck Miltank head on, it took on the damage itself as it was sent flying.

"Cyndaquil!" cried Tristan.

"This isn't looking good at all," said Hillary.

"You're right," agreed Veronica. "That Rollout attack is just gonna keep getting stronger and stronger."

Cryndaquil crashed into the ground with a hard thud.

"You're doing great, Cyndaquil, just hang in there," encouraged Tristan.

Cyndaquil struggled back on its feet and charged forward again.

"All right, Miltank, let's wrap it up with another Rollout attack!" instructed Whitney.

Miltank, still raring to go, rolled into a wheel and rolled down the hill again, but this time, it went faster and faster. It kept rolling on and on as it struck Cyndaquil over and over, dealing it more and more damage every time it struck.

"I think Cyndaquil may have reached its limit," said Evan.

"Cyndaquil did have two tough battles against Nidorina and Clefairy," agreed Eric. "And Miltank's Rollout seems to be wearing it out quickly.

Miltank kept rolling up and down the hill as it went faster and faster.

Striking it head on won't do any good, thought Tristan. My only choice is to have Cyndaquil attack it while it's a safe distance away. "All right, Cyndaquil, it's now or never!" he shouted. "Blast it with your Flamethrower attack and this time, give it everything you've got!"

Cyndaquil unleashed its strongest stream of fire from its mouth and struck Miltank, who was still quickly rolling directly toward it.

"Miltank, push through that Flamethrower with all your might!" commanded Whitney.

Miltank was pushing hard as it tried to roll through Cyndaquil's Flamethrower as fast as it could.

Unfortunately for Cyndaquil, it was tiring out fast,

"Cyndaquil, get out of the way!" shouted Tristan.

But it was too late, for Cyndaquil was struck full force by Miltank's Rollout, causing it to hit the ground with a hard thud.

"Cyndaquil!" cried Tristan.

Cyndaquil had a dazed expression in its eyes. It had finally been knocked out.

"Cyndaquil is unable to battle...Miltank is the winner!" declared the referee as he raised his red flag in the air.

"Oh, poor Cyndaquil," said Hillary sadly.

Togepi chirped just as sadly in agreement.

"That Cyndaquil really toughed it out toward the end," said Braden.

Tristan recalled Cyndaquil and held his Fast Ball close to him. "You did a great job, Cyndaquil. Now take a nice, long rest."

(Music Cue: Johto Trainer Battle)

"Now Tristan has two Pokémon left," said Veronica. "He has to figure out a way to stop that Miltank before his chances of victory get rolled over."

"But how can he do that, Grandma?" asked Evan.

"Well, if there's anything I've learned from Tristan's journey so far, he knows how to get out of a tight spot."

Eric nodded in agreement.

Tristan saw that Miltank was still ready to roll, even after taking damage from Cyndaquil's Flamethrower. He took out his Lure Ball. Totodile, I know that you haven't been in a Gym battle yet, he thought. But I believe in you, and we'll work together as a team to take that Miltank down. Then he threw the Lure Ball and shouted, "Totodile, I choose you!"

Totodile emerged from the white light that shot out of it.

"Be careful, Totodile," advised Tristan. "That Miltank's Rollout attack could give us big problems."

Totodile nodded.

"Miltank, use Rollout again!" commanded Whitney.

Miltank curled up into a ball and began to roll again, but this time, at a much faster speed.

"Quick, dodge it, Totodile!" shouted Tristan.

Totodile jumped out of the way just in time; however, Miltank continued to roll faster and faster.

"Okay, Totodile, Water Gun attack!" ordered Tristan.

Totodile shot a powerful blast of water from its mouth at the rolling Miltank, but Miltank's Rollout speed was so fast that Water Gun proved to be ineffective.

"Whoa, did you see that?" gasped Hillary. "That Miltank can even stand up to a Water Gun!"

"That's because Miltank's Rollout attack not only allows it to absorb opponents attacks, but also overpower the Pokémon at the same time," replied Veronica.

"Tristan'll lose if his Pokémon's attacks can't stop Miltank's Rollout attack!" said Evan worriedly.

Miltank rolled on and on in circles as Totodile kept dodging it and firing Water Gun at it.

Water Gun doesn't seem to be working, thought Tristan. Miltank will just keep absorbing it. And I can't attack it directly, either. There has to be some way to stop it. But what?

Just then, one of Totodile's Water Gun attacks blasted the ground, causing a trench to open up.

"That's it!" gasped Tristan. "If I can't strike Miltank, I can at least slow it down! Okay, Totodile, aim your Water Gun attack towards the ground now!"

Totodile shot blast after blast of water from its mouth toward the ground and dug ditches with it.

"Now what's Tristan up to?" asked Hillary.

"I'm a little puzzled about it myself," replied Eric.

Everyone else watched while Totodile kept using Water Gun to open more trenches.

Whitney was confused about what Tristan was planning until she realized what was going on. I see, she thought. So that's what Tristan's doing. "Miltank, don't let that Totodile get its way!" she shouted.

"Do it, Totodile!" ordered Tristan.

Totodile unleashed its Water Gun on the ground again, but this time, the attack propelled it into the air. Then, doing a backflip, it managed to land on top of the still-rolling Miltank.

"Incredible!" gasped Braden. "I've never seen a Totodile run on top of a Miltank before! Could this be Tristan's strategy to defeat it?"

"Hmm," replied Veronica. "I'm not sure. There has to be some reason why Totodile dug those ditches."

Totodile was struggling to keep its balance as Miltank kept rolling along. To Totodile, it was like running on a treadmill except that it wasn't a straight line that Miltank was rolling in.

"Hang in there, Totodile!" encouraged Tristan. "Use your Water Gun to stop it!"

Totodile was just about to launch its attack when...

"I don't think so, Tristan," said Whitney. "Miltank, shake that Totodile off!"

Miltank rolled from side to side, causing Totodile to get shaken off, tossing it high into the air.

"Finish it off, Miltank!" commanded Whitney.

Miltank jumped into the air and landed a clean hit on Totodile, causing it to hit the ground with a dazed expression in its eyes. It had been knocked out.

"Totodile!" gasped Tristan.

"Totodile is unable to battle...Miltank wins!" declared Milton as he raised his red flag in the air.

Tristan quickly recalled Totodile and held his Lure Ball close to him. "Thanks, Totodile, you were great." Then he turned to Pikachu, who was eagerly standing by as sparks crackled from the sacs on its cheeks. "Are you ready, pal?"

(Music Cue: Danger! Pikachu! (as heard in "Enter the Dragonite"))

Pikachu nodded and eagerly charged into battle.

"That's two Pokémon down and one Pikachu to go," smiled Whitney.

Sure enough, both Tristan and Whitney were down to their last Pokémon: Tristan with Pikachu, and Whitney with Miltank.

"Let's hope Tristan has some strategy with those trenches," said Veronica nervously.

"Well, let's start hoping guys," said Evan. "I can't stand the suspense!"

"Hey, if you can't stand the suspense, just think about how Tristan and Pikachu must feel right now!" replied Hillary.

"Miltank, use your Rollout attack!" commanded Whitney.

Miltank rolled even faster straight towards Pikachu.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu went from side to side as a white line streaked behind it.

Sure enough, Miltank spun faster and faster, and managed to sideswipe Pikachu as it got closer.

"Pikachu's in big trouble!" cried Braden.

"Maybe not," replied Veronica. "Look."

(Music Cue: The Day is Conquered (as heard in "A Shadow of a Drought"))

Sure enough, far from being in trouble, Pikachu managed to fall in one of the trenches that Totodile dug earlier to escape Miltank's Rollout.

However, Miltank managed to roll over another trench, causing it to lose its balance and get itself in big trouble instead.

"Miltank!" cried Whitney.

Miltank rolled over trench after trench as Pikachu stood by, waiting for the right moment to strike back.

Tristan watched as Miltank rolled closer and closer to Pikachu's trench.

On and on it rolled, as it continued wavering from side to side, until at last, it was close enough.

"Now, Pikachu!" he shouted.

Pikachu lifted its head up and flipped Miltank over, causing it to lose its balance and stop rolling as it fell to the ground.

"The Rollout attack stopped!" cried Hillary.

"This is Tristan's big chance," added Braden.

"Pikachu, Thunder attack!" ordered Tristan.

"Pikaaaaaaaaa-chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" shouted Pikachu as it shot a powerful bolt of electricity directly at Miltank, scoring a direct hit on it, causing it to fall back to the ground.

Miltank struggled to get back up after taking the damage from Pikachu's Thunder, but the attack was too much for it to take, and it collapsed again, but this time, knocked out.

"Miltank, no!" cried Whitney.

"Miltank is unable to battle...Tristan and Pikachu win!" declared Milton.

Pikachu happily ran to Tristan as they rejoiced in their triumph.

"You were awesome, Pikachu!" commended Tristan.

But just as he said that, two white lights emerged from his pocket.

Cyndaquil and Totodile emerged from those white lights and came to celebrate with Tristan.

"Cyndaquil and Totodile, you were great, too," added Tristan.

"Ah, now I see!" said Braden. "Tristan used Cyndaquil to tire Miltank out, then he had Totodile dig some ditches to slow it down and knock it off balance. Finally, he had Pikachu flip it up, and ZAP!, a big Thunder attack was all it took to finish it off. That was a great strategy."

Tristan walked over to Whitney and Miltank. "Is Miltank gonna be okay?"

"Oh, it'll be fine," answered Whitney. "Miltank just needs a good rest, that's all. That strategy you used reminds me of how Ash used it against me some time ago. He had trouble at the Gym, but he won our rematch. And now, I have something to give you." She took out a badge that looked like a plain yellow diamond. "This is the Plain Badge, proof of your victory here at the Goldenrod Gym. Or should I say, out here at the Miltank dairy? You battled hard out here just like in a real Gym. Right, Uncle Milton?"

"That's right, Whitney," agreed Milton.

"Thank you so much, Whitney," replied Tristan. He happily raised his new badge and proclaimed, "We did it! The Plain Badge!"

"Pi-Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu.

Cyndaquil and Totodile rejoiced in Tristan and Pikachu's triumph.

Everyone else proudly looked on.

After battling hard at the Miltank Dairy, Tristan earns his third badge, getting him one step closer to entering the Johto League, but more importantly, proving that even when not battling in a Gym, he can take on any challenge that comes his way.

► TO BE CONTINUED