Chapter 24: Pokémon Ranch
After walking through a forest, Lyra, Misty, and Brock arrived at a series of large fields and fences containing many Pokémon.
"Do you think we are in the countryside?" Misty asked.
"We could be," said Brock. "There are fields everywhere."
"Let's see who or what lives here," Lyra said, looking around. "We may be near a farm or ranch."
Just then, they felt the ground shaking.
"Is it an earthquake?" Misty asked in alarm.
"No," said Brock, pointing to a field. "It's those Pokémon over there."
A herd of quadruped, bovine Pokémon stampeded across the grass. They were covered in light brown fur with thick, dark brown manes around their necks. Each had a rounded muzzle, three gray bumps running vertically down its forehead, and a pair of curved gray horns. They had three black tails, each with a tuft of fur on the end.
Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon.
Once it takes aim at its foe, it makes a headlong charge. It is famous for its violent nature.
"I'd like to have a Tauros," Lyra said. "I wonder where their owner is."
Suddenly, a Growlithe approached from behind and growled at them.
"Hey, a Growlithe!" Brock said, remembering his own Growlithe back home.
Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon.
While loyal to its master, the Growlithe will drive away enemies by barking and biting.
"Hey Growlithe," Lyra said, "where's your trainer?"
"I'm right here," a girl's voice replied.
The voice belonged to a blue-haired girl riding a beautiful equine Pokémon with a mane and tail made of yellow and reddish-orange flames. Its cream-colored body stood on four long legs ending in single gray hooves.
"Excuse me, but can you tell us where we are, please?" Lyra asked politely.
"You are at the Pokémon Ranch. We preserve and raise wild Pokémon here," the girl answered.
"So, those Tauros are yours then?"
"That is correct. I'm Lara Laramie, and my family runs this ranch," the girl introduced herself.
Lara showed the group the different fields of the ranch. One held Sandslash, another Nidorina, another Nidorino, and various other species. Lara then dismounted from her fiery horse to stretch.
Ponyta, the Fire Horse Pokémon.
As a newborn, it can barely stand. However, through galloping, its legs are made tougher and faster. Its mane is made of intense flames.
Thinking of her own Rapidash, Lyra released her Pokémon from its Pokéball.
Rapidash was a magnificent creature with a horn on its forehead and flames streaming from its neck, back, and fetlocks.
Lara was amazed. "Wow, your Rapidash looks magnificent! When did you get it?"
Lyra told Lara about Damian's mistreatment of his Pokémon and how she, Misty, and Brock had adopted them.
"I'm glad you three have Damian's Pokémon," Lara said. "A guy like that doesn't deserve them. Rapidash looks well cared for now."
Lyra explained, "When I was choosing which Pokémon I wanted, Rapidash and the others ran to me. She basically chose me as her trainer."
Rapidash nickered and nuzzled Lyra affectionately. Lara smiled, seeing that Lyra treated her Pokémon with true kindness. Ponyta watched the bond between the two with wonder. Just then, the ground shook again.
"The Tauros again?" Misty asked.
"No," Lara said. "That might be Dario."
A flock of large, wingless, three-headed birds ran past at high speed. Each head had a sharp beak and a black feathered crest. A purple-haired boy sat on the back of the lead bird.
"Howdy, Lara," the boy greeted her.
"Dario," Lara replied casually.
Dodrio, the Triple Bird Pokémon.
It can run faster than it can fly. Its three heads represent joy, sorrow, and anger.
Dario smirked. "I thought I'd let you know that Dodrio and I are going to win the race tomorrow. I hope you're ready to lose." He then sped off.
"Who was that guy?" Misty asked, disliking his attitude.
"That's Dario, a Dodrio trainer. He loves to show off," Lara explained.
"Hey Lara," Lyra asked, "what race was he talking about?"
"Tonight we are having a festival," Lara said, "and you three can come as my guests. Tomorrow is the Pokémon race. It's a competition where people ride their Pokémon, and the winner becomes an honorary member of the Laramie clan."
That evening, Lara brought the gang to the festival. Everyone wished her luck for the next day.
"Lara sure is popular," Misty noted.
"Yeah, both she and Ponyta have fans," Brock added.
"I have a feeling tomorrow's race will be great," Lyra said, munching on a chocolate Magikarp alongside Pichu, Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun.
Suddenly, Dario appeared in a panic. "Lara! Your Tauros are going crazy at the ranch!"
Lara whistled for Ponyta, and the group rushed to the fields. The Tauros were tackling each other violently. Lara sent Growlithe to bark and calm them down, which eventually worked. However, as Lara went to inspect them, something flew past Ponyta, spooking it. Lara fell and injured her left arm.
What had happened was actually Team Rocket's doing. Dario had made a deal with them to help him win the race by any means necessary in exchange for a large reward. At the house, Lara's arm was placed in a sling. She was devastated that she couldn't race.
"Too bad for the Laramie clan," Lyra said sadly, petting her Pokémon to comfort them.
Then Lara had an idea: she wanted Lyra to race in her place.
"What? I can't do that!" Lyra gasped. "Ponyta will only listen to you."
"You can do it, Lyra," Lara encouraged. "After seeing how you calmed Ponyta down, I know you're perfect for this."
After much encouragement from her friends and Pokémon, Lyra agreed. She stepped outside to meet Ponyta. At first, the fire horse was hesitant, but after Lara explained that Lyra was trustworthy, Ponyta remembered the bond Lyra shared with Rapidash and agreed to let her ride. Lyra climbed onto its back, her hands safe from the flames.
The next day, the race began. Brock entered with Onix and Misty with Starmie. Pichu, Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun cheered from the stands with Lara.
"Ready, Ponyta?" Lyra asked. Ponyta's mane blazed with excitement.
The whistle blew, and the racers took off. Dario took an early lead on his Dodrio. Team Rocket began their tricks immediately, using slingshots to spook a Tauros into tackling a Nidorina, knocking both trainers out of the race.
During the second portion—a steep hill climb—Team Rocket dug a pitfall. An Electrode and its trainer fell in, causing an explosion that hit Lyra and Ponyta. Despite the blast, Lyra and Ponyta managed to stand up and keep going.
The third portion involved crossing a river on stepping stones. While Dodrio crossed easily, Onix and Rhyhorn struggled. Rhyhorn stepped on a sinking stone, and Onix, being a Rock-type, was too afraid of the water to continue. Brock comforted Onix as they withdrew.
The fourth portion required the Pokémon to eat a tray of food. Dario reached the food first, but his Dodrio's three heads began fighting over the meal. This allowed Lyra and Misty to catch up. Frustrated, Dario yelled for Team Rocket to intervene. A cloud of smoke appeared as the trio blocked the path.
"So it was you who broke Lara's arm!" Misty shouted.
Team Rocket told Dario to go ahead. Dario rode off while Team Rocket stayed to block the others.
"Mew, you catch up with Dario," Misty said. "I'll take care of these three."
Lyra sped off on Ponyta. As she neared the finish line, she drew neck-and-neck with Dario. Dario played dirty, ordering one of Dodrio's heads to peck at Ponyta.
"That was a cheap shot!" Lyra yelled.
"I'll do anything to win," Dario smirked.
Angered by the unfair play, Ponyta began to glow. Everyone watched in amazement as it evolved into a powerful Rapidash. The new Rapidash galloped with incredible speed, crossing the finish line just ahead of Dario.
"Cheater!" Dario screamed. "You interfered with me!"
"Hah! You're the one who attacked me first," Lyra countered.
When Dario tried to have Dodrio attack, Rapidash used a Stomp attack to send them both flying.
Lara hugged Lyra in gratitude. "Thanks to you, Rapidash and I are now members of the Laramie clan." Rapidash licked Lyra's cheek in thanks.
"It was nothing. I had fun," Lyra laughed.
Lara led the group to the edge of the ranch. "There's a Safari Zone ahead if you want to catch more Pokémon."
The group thanked her and said their goodbyes, heading toward their next adventure.
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Thank you for reading this chapter!
See you in the next episode of Pika Ball Z! ⚡
Power Stones!