Chapter 49: Goldenrod Ranch
The next day, Ash, Brock, and Misty set out on the road again, heading toward Goldenrod City.
Leaf Town was only a few days' journey away, and after three days of travel, the trio finally approached their destination.
"The Goldenrod Ranch, the prize sponsor for the Tauros Conference, should be nearby," Brock remarked, studying the map.
"Since the prize includes a year's supply of MooMoo Milk, Ash has to collect it in person."
A year's supply of MooMoo Milk—365 bottles—was no small prize. Considering that a single bottle sold for 500 Pokédollars, the total value came close to 200,000 Pokédollars.
Though not given in cash, the prize's actual worth made it comparable to the winnings of a League champion.
Ash had been astonished upon learning this detail. It was a significant reward, not only in monetary value but also in the premium quality of MooMoo Milk, known for its exceptional nutritional benefits for both humans and Pokémon.
"I see it! That must be the ranch!" Misty exclaimed excitedly, pointing ahead. A large grassy field came into view, enclosed by wooden fences. Inside, numerous Miltank grazed peacefully.
Miltank, the pink, cow-like Pokémon, were known for their docile demeanor and plump, cheerful appearance.
Their milk, MooMoo Milk, was a nutritious drink prized for strengthening the body and preventing illness.
Many credited the exceptional vitality of humans in the Pokémon world to regular consumption of this remarkable beverage.
As Ash gazed at the herd of Miltank, he couldn't help but recall his past experience. In his previous life, when he first played the Gold and Silver versions, he'd faced a nightmare of a battle against Goldenrod Gym's Miltank.
Its Rollout, paired with Attract and Milk Drink, had devastated his team, leaving a lasting impression.
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The trio followed the fence line until they reached the ranch's entrance. Nearby, a truck was being loaded with crates of MooMoo Milk for delivery to Goldenrod City.
"Hello, is this Goldenrod Ranch?" Ash asked a robust elderly man directing the workers.
Though his hair was gray, his posture and movements radiated strength and energy, making it hard to believe he was in his seventies.
"Yes, this is Goldenrod Ranch. I'm Harward, the owner," the man replied. His sharp eyes appraised Ash before he smiled warmly. "Ah, you must be Mr. Ash."
"That's right. I'm the winner of the Leaf Town Tauros Conference." Ash retrieved the trophy from his bag to confirm his identity.
Harward didn't even glance at the trophy. "There's no need for that. I've seen your battles. I recognize you."
After finishing some tasks with his workers, Harward turned back to Ash and the group.
"Thank you for waiting. It's an honor to meet all three of you—Mr. Ash, Mr. Brock, and Miss Misty," he said, shaking hands with each of them.
Both Brock and Misty were pleasantly surprised that Harward knew who they were.
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Harward led the trio into the ranch's cozy main house, where he served them glasses of chilled MooMoo Milk, along with small bowls for Pikachu and Togepi. The cold, refreshing drink was a welcome treat in the warm weather.
"The prize is ready and waiting," Harward announced as they sipped their milk. "A full year's supply of MooMoo Milk, prepared just for you."
"Thank you, Mr. Harward," Ash replied sincerely. Although he had earned the prize through his efforts, he appreciated the generosity of the sponsorship.
Harward chuckled. "No need to thank me, young man. If anything, I should be thanking you. Sponsoring the prize was part of my ranch's marketing strategy, and your participation was more than I could have hoped for.
Since you won, the name of my ranch has spread far and wide. Orders have increased so much we had to add extra deliveries, like the truck you saw earlier!"
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After their break, Harward escorted them to the ranch's storage warehouse. Inside, 365 neatly packed bottles of MooMoo Milk were stacked, creating an impressive sight.
"Wow, that's a lot of milk!" Misty exclaimed.
Ash's spacious backpack, designed for Trainers, was fortunately large enough to fit all the bottles. Otherwise, transporting them all at once would have been impossible.
As they packed the milk, a cheerful voice called out from outside, "Grandpa! Grandpa, where are you?"
Harward's face lit up with a smile. "Ah, that's my granddaughter, Whitney," he explained, excusing himself to greet her.
Moments later, Harward returned with a vibrant girl who looked about 15 or 16. She had short pink hair, a red and white top layered over black sleeves, and ultra-short denim shorts. Her youthful, cheerful energy matched her delicate and pretty appearance.
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Brock's eyes widened at the sight of Whitney. Though younger than the women he usually fawned over, her beauty had clearly enchanted him.
"Hello, beautiful lady! My name is Brock, and I don't have a girlfriend yet. Could I—" Brock began dramatically, dropping to one knee.
Before he could finish, his Poké Ball opened on its own, releasing his Pineco, which stared at him with silent disapproval.
Brock froze, his face twisting into a sheepish grin. "I'll just... stop now," he muttered, backing away cautiously.
He knew too well that Pineco's next move would likely be Self-Destruct if he continued embarrassing himself.
Whitney giggled at the scene, her laughter breaking the tension. Even Misty couldn't help but smirk at Brock's antics.
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As the packing continued, Whitney struck up a conversation with the group, showing genuine interest in Ash's adventures. Her charm and lively personality left a positive impression on all three of them.
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