Episode 139! *Frowns* what card should be next? Oh well.

I feel nice… putting up another chapter for ya, remember to review! Any Whitney fans?

Notes: <> indicates telepathic communication or psychic communication, whatever you prefer, ** indicates thoughts, and italics indicates pokemon speech.

Ash is a girl, and Lance is a boy.

Episode 141: Mystery of the Milktanks

Ash walked around, looking at the Milktanks. Most were looking weak and sickly. That was odd.

“The healthy ones are out in the pasture to keep from getting whatever these have contracted.” Milton explained.

“Why don’t you just take them to a pokemon center?”

“Because the medicine the pokemon center uses causes the Milktanks to become very fidgety. They stop producing Moomoo milk.”

“Oh.” Ash said.

“I’m afraid that our rivals, the Grangerfords, may be causing this.” Milton said.

“The Grangerfords?”

“Here at our farm, we specialize in Moomoo milk and ice cream.” Whitney explained. “The Grangerfords also have Milktanks, which produce cheese and yogurt. Unfortunately, they have been expanding into the area of ice cream, which is our market.”

“So we sent them a polite letter asking them to stay in their area of expertise.” Milton said. “In return, they sent us a baby Ekans.”

“It means war.”

Ashline twisted a strand of hair around a finger. “So you think they might have poisoned the Milktanks?”

“I’m pretty sure. It’s something they would do.” Whitney said. “The Grangerfords are sneaky. They’ve already put two other dairy farms in this area out of business. They’ll stop at nothing to gain control of the market.”

“Ah…”

“Maybe I can tell what’s wrong.” Ash said. “Milktank, go!”

“You have one too?” Whitney asked. “It’s so cute!”

Ash turned to the Milktank card. “Could you talk to the others and see what’s wrong?”

Milktank nodded.

She immediately began conversing with the others. Soon, they got to the root of the problem.

They say that they felt sick after they ate the red berries off the bushes on the hill.

Ash nodded and turned to Whitney.

“Are there berry bushes on the hills nearby?”

Whitney’s forehead puckered up. “No. There aren’t any berry bushes for miles around. Why?”

“Because the Milktanks say that they got sick after they ate the red berries.”

“Let’s go out and take a look.” Milton said. “I keep all the healthy stock on the hills! We have to hurry!”

The three quickly ran towards the hills.

“Stop! Stay away from that bush!” Milton shouted to several startled Milktanks.

What’s wrong, master?

Yes. What’s wrong?

Milton rushed over. “These are not endemic plants.”

“So someone must have planted them here.” Whitney explained. “Are they poisonous, uncle Milton?”

Milton pulled out his field guide. After a few minutes, he nodded.

“Yes. These are Everhart berries. They contain a slow-acting toxin that decreases the size of the mammary glands, making milk production decrease before stopping completely.”
“So what can we do?”

“Well, so far, no one has developed a vaccine.” Milton said, thinking and rubbing his chin. * Hmm… *

Ashline closed her eyes. * I wonder what I can do to help? *

Meanwhile…

“Come on, Aerodactyl, give it a hyper Beam!”

Aerodactyl nodded and blasted the opposing Starmie away. Starmie fell over, smoking.

“Oh no! Starmie!” Lydia said.

“Sorry.” Lance said. “But you’re no match.” It was amazing how much sunglasses and dark blue hair dye could do to disguise a person. Of course, he had been forced to change his outfit too. Now, he just wore black.

Aerodactyl preened.

“I can’t give you any money,” Lydia said. “But our family runs a Milktank farm. Perhaps you’d like some samples instead?”

< That sounds good! > Aerodactyl said.

Lance grinned. “All right, then. Let’s go.”

Lydia nodded and led the way to the Grangerford farm.

< LANCE! >
Lance’s head snapped up.

“Is there something wrong with the ice cream?” Lydia asked anxiously.

“No, it’s not that.” Lance said. < What is it, Ash? >

< What do you use to counteract Everhart berries? >

< I have no idea. > Lance said truthfully.

< Really? >
< Yes. But I can ask around. >
< Would you? I kind of need your help. >
< I know. >

Lance and his pokemon finished the ice cream. “Hey, Lydia, do you know what Everhart berries are?”

Lydia nodded. “They’re used on Milktanks that are too old or too sick to produce milk.”

“Is there any cure?”

“Nothing but time and rest, as far as I know.” Lydia said. * He’s cute! And he’s asking questions! Maybe he’s interested in me! *

She batted her eyelashes at him.

Lance groaned inwardly as he noticed the signs of obsession beginning to show. * Oh no… *

“How about if I show you around?” Lydia asked.

Lance nodded. * As long as it takes her mind off me. * “Let’s go.” He said, recalling Aerodactyl and the rest of his pokemon.

Lydia began showing him around.

“Here, this is where we make ice cream. We keep the flavors separate.” Lydia explained. “We try to use natural flavors.”

“Strawberries, blueberries, and cherries?”

Lydia nodded. “Our orchard is on that hill over there.”

“Can I see the Milktanks?”

“Sure!” Lydia said. * What a great idea! *

She led him over to the slope where the cows were browsing.

Lance looked carefully. * It looks like they’ve been taken care of well. None of them look sickly… *

< Any ideas yet, Lance? >

< Well, my contact says that the only cure is rest. >

< Darn. >

< I know. Keep looking, Ash. >

< I’m trying! >

Ash sighed. He shrugged and pulled out a few berries. He handed them to the nearest Milktank. Suddenly, its eyes brightened up.

“Moo!”

“Milktank looks a little healthier.” Milton said in awe.

Ash handed over some more berries. After eight berries, Milktank suddenly became perfectly healthy.

“So there is a cure!” Whitney said, excitedly. “I’ll go out to find some berries!”

“Wait!” Milton said, running after her. “You’ll get lost! Ash, can you take care of the farm while we’re gone?”

“Sure.” Ash said.

“Thank you! We are much obliged to you.”
The two immediately headed off to find Berries.

Ash yawned. She occupied herself by braiding her hair.

Soon, Lance appeared on Dragonair.

“You dyed your hair again? And what’s with the sunglasses?”

“Fangirls.” Lance said, scowling. “What would you expect?”

“Oh…”

Ash sighed. “I don’t know what Team Rocket is planning, but it can’t be good.”

“No it can’t. I’ve just received some bad news.”
“What is it?” Ash asked, seeing the look on Lance’s face.

“It’s about Pallet Town…. It’s been destroyed.”

Ash’s face went white. “No… why?! They never did anything!”

“Professor Oak has publicly acknowledged that he is now part of Team Rocket. Any pokemon there automatically became property of Team Rocket.”

‘No…” Ash said. * I don’t even have a home now… * She began to cry softly. Lance wrapped his arms around her and let her cry until she was tired out.

By the time Whitney and Milton returned, her eyes were red and she couldn’t cry anymore.

< Don’t worry, Ash. > Lance said soothingly. < We’ll find a way. >

Ash nodded resolutely and dried her eyes on a pink handkerchief. * I hope so… *

End Episode 141!

So first Ash’s parents are dead, and now Pallet Town is gone… poor Ash!

*Shrugs*

C&CC are the best! Flames will be used to forge a Destiny card. ^_^

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POKEMON. IT BELONGS TO NINTENDO, GAME FREAK, 4KIDS, Shogakukan comics, etc. NOT MINE! However, Destiny, Pika-chan, cards, etc, belong to me.