Chapter 35:A Moo Moo Palooza

The group left the arid and dry lands behind them arriving at Route 39. As they made their way through the path three people dressed up as Miltank appeared just north of the route. They followed the Miltank Pokefans to find out what was going on. They ended up in a small town covered in Miltank decorations. The smell of hay and farm saturated the air. Every few feet there were stands of people selling Moo Moo milk products.

One stand had Moo Moo ice cream. Another stand had Moo Moo cheese. Several others had Moo Moo milk shakes and the biggest one had a ton of Moo Moo milk. The group stopped at every stand and tried their products. Phillip and Kathy were more careful about how much they consumed. Ashley and Nathan had no self-control. Most of all Nathan. After a couple more hours of exploring everything at the festival Nathan began holding his stomach as it made all sorts of groans and noises. Phillip looked at Nathan and with a smile on his face.

"Do you need to take care of that?"

Nathan gave a weak nod. Ashley shrieked.

"Me too."

Phillip and Kathy looked at each other and laughed. They searched for a bathroom for several minutes. In the middle of the festival, they found a large farm with a bathroom. Nathan and Ashley ran ahead into the two bathrooms. Phillip and Kathy were laughing and making fun of them. A middle-aged woman approached them smiling, and spoke with a soft and gentle voice.

"Did we have some that enjoyed the snacks of the festival a little too much?"

Kathy responded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, I am glad to see that Moo Moo's milk is being enjoyed while it can be."

"What do you mean?" Phillip asked.

The lady introduced herself as the woman who put the festival together and has been taking care of Moo Moo.

"Moo Moo milk has been a product of my family for generations. In the last ten years or so Moo Moo has become quite the celebrity in our little area. Alas she is getting old and doesn't bounce back as quickly as she used to."

"What do you mean?" Kathy asked.

"Moo Moo has recently recovered from an illness. The Moo Moo milk on sale right now is the last of her healthy batch. We used to get medicine from Cianwood City regularly, but for some reason supplies hasn't been being delivered in the last few weeks. Moo Moo may only have a few more weeks left. Some of our other Miltanks aren't quite mature enough to take her place just yet. They need another couple of months."

"Oh my, that's terrible." Kathy said.

"Is there any way we can help?" Phillip asked.

The woman began stroking her chin as she was thinking.

"The medicine in question requires certain berries. There is a wood and a pharmacist not far from here to the east. But I'm not sure if he has all the supplies he needs to make a full batch. I suppose you could try there. But without deliveries from Cianwood, there really isn't much that can be done."

"We'll go see if we can find this pharmacist and get him to help." Kathy offered.

The lady smile and rubbed Kathy's arm.

"You two are a sweet couple. Thank you."

Both their faces turned as red as strawberries. Kathy jumped back and was waving her hands wildly denying that they were a couple. At the same time Phillip leaned away from Kathy and was running his hand through his hair stammering. The lady laughed.

"Young love. Well… maybe at another time."

The lady walked away, and left Phillip and Kathy standing awkwardly and quietly with one another. Kathy couldn't stop giggling as she looked at the ground. Phillip was trying to change the subject but was fumbling over his words. Ashley emerged from the women's bathroom. She looked at Kathy and Phillip confused. Nathan followed. Nathan spoke loudly.

"Why are you two acting so weird?" He paused for a second, bouncing his eyes between the two of them. "Ewww! Were you guys kissing!?"

Kathy smacked him in the back of the head knocking him to the ground.

"SHUT UP NATHAN!"

Phillip jumped back with his eyes opened wide, biting his lip to avoid laughing. Ashley was covering her mouth with both hands while her mouth hung agape in awe. Nathan was rubbing his head as he got up slowly. Phillip spoke up to change the subject before Nathan could get himself into any more trouble.

"We have an errand to run. Let's head east."

As they made their way towards the wood in the east that the lady described Kathy explained to Ashley and Nathan what they were doing. After traveling for a couple of hours they began to see signs of the pharmacist Moo Moo's owner was talking about. They followed signs when they came to a large hut next to a pond. The door was open and there appeared to be signs of a struggle at the doorstep. Phillip called out Tyrogue. Kathy called Bayleef out. Nathan called Totodile out and Ashley had her Ledyba out. Phillip called into the house for signs of life.

The silence of the hut was deafening. Suddenly a Murkrow cried out. Totodile jumped and fired a water gun attack that sent the Murkrow flying into the wall. As Phillip turned the corner an old man was webbed up and the refrigerator was blocked by a man and a woman scarfing food down.

"Team Rocket!" Kathy shouted.

Brett and Betty turned around, but couldn't say anything because their mouths were full of food. Rattata jumped out. Tyrogue fired a bullet punch that knocked Rattata out. Brett and Betty recalled their Pokemon and jumped out of a nearby window. They ran away. Totodile bit the webbing and freed the pharmacist. Nathan leaned towards him.

"Are you okay sir?"

Pharmacist spoke slowly, as if trying to recount what just happened.

"I am fine my boy, thanks to you guys. Those vile human beings attacked me from behind with a Spinarak when I was returning from my daily ingredient hunt. Then they started eating all the food out of my house as if they hadn't eaten in days. I think they mumbled something about flying to the highest heights."

The man stood up and stretched his back.

"Then you all showed up and saved me. Thank you for that."

"No problem." Nathan said. "We've had a few run ins with them in the past."

Kathy sarcastically chimed in.

"A few."

The man looked at them confused. Phillip rolled his eyes.

"Anyway… we're glad you're okay sir."

The man nodded.

"Now… I imagine you came here for a purpose. How may I help my saviors?"

Phillip told the man the story about the sick Miltank. The man nodded and then looked around his hut.

"I see… She's right. It has been tough lately without the regular supplies from Cianwood City. But I might have enough for a small batch. It won't help Miltank fully recover, but it should buy her a few more weeks until the deliveries from Cianwood pick up again."

The man went upstairs to his room and grabbed a few things. He came down with his hands full. Phillip rushed to aid him in carrying it all.

"It will take me a few hours. Team Rocket didn't eat everything, I think I have enough for you all to stay the night until the potion is ready."

Phillip nodded.

"That would be great. May I help in any way?"

"Actually, an extra pair of hands would help greatly."

Phillip released all his Pokemon and gave them instructions on how to train while he was helping the pharmacist. Tyrogue led his friends in all the drills and trained a bit himself. Phillip looked at Kathy, Ashley and Nathan.

"It's been awhile since you all trained too."

"But I don't know how." Ashley said.

Phillip looked at Kathy.

"I'm sure Kathy can help you."

"Hey! I can too!" Nathan shouted.

Kathy rolled her eyes and hesitantly led the way.

"This way."

As everyone trained Phillip assisted the pharmacist and learned a few things about potions and ethers. The pharmacist and Phillip worked non stop for the next several hours. Once everyone was done training they all sat down after a full and exhausting day. The potion for Moo Moo would be ready in the morning and the team would be able to get back to Moo Moo before night fall.

Phillip slept a few hours, but couldn't sleep through the night. He silently made his way outside and laid down staring at the stars. Tyrogue crept over to him. He shoved his head under Phillip's arm as they sat together staring at the stars. Tyrogue could sense that Phillip was sad and deep in thought. He spoke softly.

"Ty-Ty-Tyrogue?"

Phillip smirked.

"There's been a lot more to the journey than I thought there would be Tyrogue. It's easy to get caught up in every moment and every battle. I can see why people get lost on the journey."

Tyrogue leaned his head up against Phillip's arm. Phillip looked at Tyrogue and smiled.

"No one I'd rather be journeying with than you buddy."

After staring off in silence for another hour or so Phillip compelled Tyrogue to go for a run with him. Wooper and Mareep popped out of their balls and wanted to run with Tyrogue and Phillip too. They all ran together, the pace was a bit slower because Mareep and Wooper were not used to Tyrogue and Phillip's runs. They added some distance to make up for the slower pace. Tyrogue and Phillip were very patient. Once they arrived back at the house everyone was waiting for them at the table. They ate breakfast together and made their way back to Moo Moo's farm.

As they arrived, the market, which was usually busy seemed to be quiet and empty. The worst thoughts popped into their heads. Were they too late? Did Moo Moo not make it? As they made their way to the farm even the other, young Miltank that were grazing in the fields were not to be found. They drew near to the farmhouse where a Murkrow was on top of the roof. As they stepped a little bit closer the Murkrow began crying out. A Rattata ran out from behind the farmhouse. Nathan spoke up.

"Team Rocket!"

Phillip sent Charlie and Delta out. Kathy sent Kadabra out, Nathan sent Furret out and Ashley sent her Ledyba out. Furret dove into the ground and made his way towards Rattata. Phillip ran towards the farmhouse with Charlie and Delta right behind him. Kadabra disappeared and reappeared behind Murkrow. Kadabra fired a Psyblast that knocked Murkrow off the roof.

As they entered the farmhouse all of the market salesmen and women were locked in a giant cage with their Moo Moo merchandise. Spinarak had a very strong web that had all the Miltank, including Moo Moo trapped. Brett and Betty had Moo Moo's owner cornered. Rattata was sent flying into the wall of the farmhouse. Furret and Nathan appeared. Ashley and Ledyba ran at Betty. They were cut off by Sableye and Zubat. They fired a Confuse Ray that knocked Ledyba back.

Delta fired a Flame Wheel attack that burned Spinarak and its webs. Spinarak crawled to Brett. Charlie fired an Electro Ball attack at Sableye and Zubat that sent them flying into Spinarak. Kathy and Kadabra appeared in the farmhouse. Charlie and Delta fired a Twister attack at Team Rocket. At the same time Kadabra fired a Psybeam attack at Team Rocket. The combination of the three moves sent Team Rocket flying.

"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

Nathan and Ashley released the market people from the giant cage. Kathy released all the Miltank including Moo Moo. Phillip went to the old Moo Moo owner and helped her up.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine thanks to you guys. You saved my farm and my Miltank."

Phillip handed her the potion from the pharmacist.

"He said this should help Moo Moo for a few weeks until the Cianwood City harbor resumes their deliveries."

The lady teared up.

"Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."

The lady applied the potion. Moo Moo looked instantly refreshed.

"From now on you four will get all Moo Moo products at a significantly discounted rate."

Everyone returned to business as usual. The four heroes enjoyed their discount, and stayed the night at the farmhouse. In the morning they returned to Route 39 on their way to Olivine City.

To be continued…