Chapter 76: Down on the Farm
With the Valley of the Iron Fist growing closer with each step Ash and Nikki continued on their journey. So far nothing noteworthy had happened, leaving them to believe that it would be smooth sailing from here to their next destination.
"So far things have been pretty chill," Nikki commented. "It's… kinda boring if you ask me." Ash glanced at her, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"With as much excitement as we've had recently you're complaining about things being too quiet," he said.
"It's not that I'm complaining… okay, maybe I am," Nikki responded. "I guess I've gotten so used to the excitement that anything else feels dull in comparison." Ash could certainly agree with her on that. He was about to reply when they heard sounds coming from their right. Looking over they were passing by a farm.
"Don't see too many of those anymore," Ash commented. The two of them walked over to the farm's fence and just marveled at the different Pokémon on this small farm. Their curiosity caught the attention of a young man that was working there.
"Howdy," he said.
"Hi. Is this your farm?" Ash asked.
"Sure is," the man replied. "Name's Samuel."
"Nice to meet you," Ash said. "I'm Ash."
"And my name's Nikki,' Nikki added.
"Pleased to meet you both," Samuel replied. It was then he noticed Pikachu and Buneary sitting on their shoulders.
"You two must be trainers," he assumed. "Heading for the Valley of the Iron Fist I take it."
"How did you know?" Nikki wondered.
"Most trainers that pass by here and heading there," Samuel answered. "You've still got a ways to go, so why don't you take a rest here for a spell."
"We have been walking for a while. A rest solunds good right about now," Nikki said. Ash agreed with her and accepted Samuel's offer. With a smile on his face he lead them towards a modest sized house.
"Look alive, cousin! We got guests!" he called.
"Be right out!" a girl's voice replied. Upon hearing the voice Pikachu's ear's perked up.
"(Hey Ash, does that voice sound familiar to you?)" he asked.
"Sure does, buddy," Ash said. Moments later a young girl with short dark green hair walked out of the front door, a Shinx at her heels. Her face lit up once she saw Ash.
"Hey Ash, long time no see," she said.
"Angie! Wow, it has been a long time," Ash replied. "I haven't seen you since we were in Professor Rowan's summer camp back in Sinnoh."
"Yeah," Angie agreed. Right then she saw Nikki standing next to Ash.
"You must be his new traveling companion," she assumed.
"I am," Nikki said. "My name's Nikki."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Angie," Angie said. "So Ash, what happened to Brock and Dawn? Did they stay in Sinnoh or something?"
"We… went our separate ways," Ash answered, silently hoping that she would press for more information.
"I see. Guess they had to follow their own dreams, just like you are," Angie commented. Ash breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"So Angie, do you live here with Samuel?" Nikki inquired.
"Oh no, I'm just here to help on his farm," Angie replied.
"Working on this farm alone I usually need all the help I can get," Samuel explained. "Having Angie here is a real big help." Hearing this gave Ash and idea.
"Could you use some extra help?" he asked.
"I sure could. Why? You offering?" Samuel wondered.
"You sure about this, Ash?" Nikki asked.
"Weren't you the one saying things have been a little boring around here?" Ash stated. "This just might be the excitement you've been looking for."
"I don't know if I'd call farm work exciting, but it will be something different," Nikki agreed.
"Well then, guess we're going to be farmhands today," Ash announced.
"I'll be glad for the extra help," Samuel said. "We still have quite bit of work ahead of us." He then lead them all out towards the field where there were plenty of Mareep grazing on the grass.
"So, what's first?" Ash asked.
"First we need to collect the fleece from these Mareep," Samuel said. "They shed their fleece when it gets hot and we collect it."
"You'll need these, though," Angie stated, handing them each a pair of rubber gloves.
"What do we need these for?" Nikki asked.
"Mareep fleece is full of static electricity. Touching it without rubber gloves will give you quite a shock," Samuel explained.
"(That shouldn't be a problem for me,)" Pikachu stated.
"Hey, that gives me an idea," Nikki said. She grabbed a Poké Ball and called out her Shinx.
"Could you help us gather the Mareep fleece?" she asked.
"(Sure. I can help out,)" the Flash Pokémon said. With some extra help Ash and Nikki out their rubber gloves on and started collecting the shed fleece. Very quickly they saw the static electricity running through the fleece.
"Man, that's a lot of static build up," Ash commented.
"It builds up over time," Angie commented. "That's why we wear these rubber gloves, to protect ourselves from getting shocked." While the humans had to wear the protective gloves Pikachu and the two Shinx could just carry them without any protection, being Electric types and all. Upon picking up one bunch of fleece Nikki marveled at how it felt.
"It's really soft," she commented.
"Our Mareep have the softest fleece around," Samuel bragged. "They make the best winter coats and sweaters money can buy." With help from Pikachu and both Shinx they were able to gather the shed fleece in no time.
"Whew… that takes care of that. Thanks for the help," Samuel said.
"Not a problem," Ash replied. "Is there anything else you need help with?" Samuel thought about it for a minute before replying.
"Well, normally we'd go check on our Miltank and make sure they're doing alright," he said. Once again Ash and Nikki offered their assistance, and once again Samuel accepted.
"Alright, follow me," Samuel told them. He lead the group into a barn where there were rows of Miltank lined up, each one hooked up to a milking machine.
"You can pretty much guess what they're used for," Samuel said.
"This is where all your Moomoo Milk comes from," Nikki guessed.
"You got that right, little lady," Samuel confirmed.
"People come from all over just to try our Moomoo Milk. It's the best tasting milk you'll find anywhere," Angie bragged. As soon as she was done talking Samuel produced a couple of glasses of freshly poured Moomoo Milk.
"Here, try some," he said. He then handed a couple of smaller glasses to Pikachu and Buneary.
"Well, bottom's up," Ash said. He, Nikki, Pikachu and Buneary all took a drink of the Moomoo Milk. The first thing they noticed wa the richness of the flavor.
"Wow, that's good," Ash commented.
"So smooth and flavorful," Nikki added. "This is the best Moomoo Milk I've ever tasted."
"Well you can thank these ladies here for that," Samuel stated. Nikki looked at the numerous Miltank, who all looked quite pleased with the work they had been doing. Her eyes soon landed on an empty milking machine.
"Why's that one empty?" she asked. Samuel and Angie followed her gaze and saw the empty machine.
"Oh no, not again," Samuel groaned.
"What is it?" Ash wondered.
"Annabelle's gone missing again," Angie said.
"Annabelle?" Nikki inquired.
"She's a troublesome Miltank that seems to go missing at the most inopportune times," Samuel explained. "It usually takes us all day to find her, and by then we don't have time to do any of our other farm work."
"Well with all of us working together I'm sure we'll find her in no time," Nikki said.
"And we can even get our Pokémon to help look," Ash added. The group headed outside and Ash and Nikki called on Charizard and Swablu respectively.
"We need help locating a missing Miltank," Ash told them. "Think you can help us look from the air?"
"(We'll do what we can,)" Charizard said.
"(Just tell us where to start looking,)" Swablu said. Everyone turned to Samuel to see where he thought Annabelle had gone.
"The woods around the farm is where we usually find her," he said. With their destination clear the two Flying types took to the skies to begin their search. At the same time everyone else began their search on the ground.
"Just how often does this happen?" Nikki asked.
"A few times a week," Samuel answered.
"And she usually goes into the forest?" Ash inquired.
"Nine times out of ten," Samuel replied. "There's some berry bushes there that she loves to eat from. Probably there right now."
"If that's the case then Charizard and Swablu should be able to spot her soon," Nikki stated. Then, as if on cue, Charizard and Swablu came flying over to them.
"(We think we found her,)" Charizard announced.
"Thank goodness," Angie said.
"(Follow us,)" Swablu instructed. With the two Flying types leading the way the group headed deepr into the woods. After a few minutes they came across some berry bushes, and eating from one of those bushes was the very Miltank they were looking for.
"Oh Annabelle, what are we going to do with you?" Samuel wondered. The Miltank in question was completely oblivious to everything happening around her as she continued to feast on berries.
"Well, now that we've found her the next task is to get her back to the barn," Samuel stated. It took some coaxing but eventually they convinced Annabelle to return to the barn. Once they had gotten her back it was relatively easy to get her hooked back up to the milking machine.
"Now don't you go running off again anytime soon, you hear?" Samuel told her. A happy sounding 'moo' was his only response.
"Well, I thank you for you help in locating Annabelle," he said.
"You're welcome, but if you really want to thank someone you should thank Charizard and Swablu. They're they ones who found her," Ash replied. Samuel thanked the two Pokémon, who looked very pleased with themselves. The rest of the day was spent tending to other farm work such as cleaning out the Ponyta stables and feeding the various farm Pokémon. Before they knew it the sun had began to set, casting an orange glow across the sky.
"Thanks for your help today," Samuel said. "How about we treat you to a nice supper."
"That sounds good to me," Ash replied.
"I can help if you don't mind," Nikki offered.
"Not at all, and you can spend the night here to if you feel like it," Samuel stated.
"That's very kind of you," Ash told him.
"I don't mind sleeping under the stars, but having a roof over my head will be a nice comfort," Nikki added. With their day over everyone headed inside for a nice meal.
Morning soon came and, after a hearty breakfast, Ash and Nikki were ready to hit the road once again.
"I want to thank you again for helping out yesterday," Samuel said.
"We were glad to help," Ash stated.
"Yeah. It was different than what we've gotten used to," Nikki added.
"Well I can tell you that if you keep heading down this road you'll end up at the Valley of the Iron Fist," Samuel said.
"That's great, and then I can compete for my nest Area Crest," Ash stated.
"Hey, how about a warm-up before you Area Boss battle," Angie suggested.
"Huh?" Ash questioned.
"I want to see how much stronger your Pokémon have gotten since I last saw you," Angie said. "Come on, what do you say?" Ash was never one to back away from a challenge.
"Alright, you're on!" he said. The four of them gathered in an empty field with Ash and Angie standing opposite of each other. Nikki stood off to the side while Samuel acted as referee.
"I'm going with Shinx," Angie announced, her Flash Pokémon taking his position in front of her.
"That's fine by me," Ash said. "Kirlia, I choose you!" He tossed a Poké Ball and called on his Emotion Pokémon. The two Pokémon stood and waited for one of their trainers to call out the first command.
"Okay Shinx, start off with Spark!" Angie shouted. Shinx charged towards Kirlia, sparks dancing all over his body.
"Dodge that!" Ash instructed. Kirlia expertly dodge the attack at the last minute, letting Shinx pass by her.
"Okay, try a Bite attack!" Angie called. In the blink of an eye Shinx spun around and bit down on Kirlia's arm, causing her a bit of pain.
"Kirlia, are you okay?" Ash asked.
"(Yes, I'm fine,)" the Emotion Pokémon replied while rubbing her arm.
"Let's keep the pressure up, Shinx! Thunderbolt!" Angie shouted. The Flash Pokémon let out a loud bark, unleashing a powerful bolt of electricity.
"Teleport!" Ash called. As fast as she could Kirlia used her Teleport to dodge the incoming Electric attack, appearing right behind Shinx.
"Shadow Ball!" Ash said. Before Shinx could turn around Kirlia fired off a Shadow Ball, the Ghost type attack exploding upon making contact with the Flash Pokémon.
"That was a pretty sneaky move there Ash," Angie commented. "But don't think we're out of this yet! Use Bite!" Once again her Shinx charged Kirlia, his mouth opened as he prepared to bite down on her again.
"Not this time! Kirlia, use Psychic!" Ash countered. Ash Shinx charged Kirlia's eyes took on a blue glow. Moments later the same blue glow enveloped Shinx, stopping him in his tracks. Then, with a flick of her wrist, Kirlia tossed the Flash Pokémon to the side.
"Now use Hidden Power!" Ash shouted. While Shinx was still down Kirlia pelted him with a Hidden Power, bombarding him with numerous small orbs of energy. When the attack was over Shinx was left weakened, but not out of the battle quite yet.
"We're not done yet!" Angie announced. "Use Thunderbolt and give it everything you got!" Shinx charged up and, with a loud cry, let loose a tremendous Thunderbolt towards Kirlia.
"Use Psychic to redirect it!" Ash instructed. Kirlia once again employed her Psychic attack, but rather than use it on Shinx she focused her attack on Shinx's Thunderbolt, forcing it to make a u-turn and head right back at the Flash Pokémon. The attack struck and exploded, leaving Shinx barely able to stand. By now Samuel had seen enough.
"Alright, I'm calling it," he announced. "You battled well, Angie, but Ash won." With the battle over the two trainers went to check on their Pokémon.
"You alright, Shinx?" Angie asked.
"(Nothing hurt but my pride,)" the Flash Pokémon groaned.
"Hey, you've got nothing to be ashamed of. Ash is just that good of a trainer," Angie reassured him. Meanwhile, Ash was praising Kirlia for a battle well fought.
"You did great out there, Kirlia," he praised.
"(Thank you, Ash,)" Kirlia replied. Ash was just about to recall her to her Poké Ball when she started glowing white.
"What the?!" Ash gasped.
"Well now, looks like your Kirlia is evolving," Samuel stated. Everyone looked in awe as Kirlia's body changed and grew. When the light died down where the was once Kirlia now stood a new Pokémon.
"She's a Gardevoir now!" Angie exclaimed. Ash quickly took out his Pokécomm and scanned her.
Name: Gardevoir
Species: The Embrace Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It unleashes psychokinetic energy at full power when protecting a trainer it has bonded closely with.
"Wow Ash, that's awesome!" Nikki cheered. "Maybe one day my Kirlia will evolve."
"You have one too?" Angie asked.
"Sure do," Nikki confirmed. She grabbed a Poké Ball and called out her Kirlia. As soon as he appeard he looked around, his eyes soon landing on the newly-evolved Gardevoir.
"(I see youi have evolved,)" he commented. "(I am happy for you.)"
"(Thank you, my friend,)" Gardevoir said. "(Perhaps one day you shall join me.)"
"I might be able to help you with that," Angie said. Everyone looked on as she ran back to the farm house. She emerged minutes later, carrying a small blue stone in her hand.
"Since your Kirlia is a male he can evolve using this," she said. She handed Nikki the stone.
"This is a Dawn Stone," Nikki observed. "Are you sure about this?"
"Of course. I have no use for it," Angie said. "Go ahead." Nikki looked at the Dawn Stone and then at her Kirlia. The Emotion Pokémon's gaze wa fixated on the stone. With nothing else to do she held the stone in front of him. Kirlia reached out and touched the stone. Immediately both him and the stond took on a white glow. Nikki stepped back as the evolution process took place. When it finished there stood not a Gardevoir like with Ash's, but a completely different Pokémon.
"Who's that Pokémon?" she wondered, taking out her Pokécomm.
Name: Gallade
Species: The Blade Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: Because it can sense what its foe is thinking, its attacks burst out first, fast, and fierce.
"Wow, you look powerful," Nikki commented.
"(I hope to prove my strength to you one day,)" Gallade said.
"I'm sure you will," Nikki said.
"Well now, with your new Pokémon I'm sure you're ready to get to your next big battle," Samuel assumed.
"You got that right," Ash agreed. He and Nikki thanked them for their hospitality and then hit the trail on their way towards the Valley of the Iron Fist.
A day helping out an old friend of Ash's ends with both he and Nikki gaining new powerful Pokémon. What's next for them as they continue on towards their next destination? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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