Author's Note

Next on the CMCs' traveling: the Ilex Forest

11. Deep in the Forest

The sun rises to welcome a new day in Azalea Town. The girls woke up to continue their journey in Johto. After they and their Pokémon had their breakfast, they went over to Kurt's house. Yesterday, they picked some good Apricorns and gave them to him to make Poké Balls out of them.

"Good morning, my friends." Kurt greeted. "I'm happy to say that your Poké Balls are done." He started handing the balls to them. "A Lure Ball for Apple Bloom, a Friend Ball for Scootaloo, and two Poké Balls for Sweetie Belle. A Love Ball and a Fast Ball."

The girls were very happy to get these presents from Kurt.

"Okay, girls." Apple Bloom said. "Let's head for the location for my next Gym Battle."

"Then, you're probably heading for Goldenrod City." Kurt figured. "But, you'll need to make your way through Ilex Forest first."

Getting the idea, the girls prepared their stuff, and off they go. Soon, they made their way into the forest. It was dense, and full of insects.

"This is the kind of place that Fluttershy would explore." Sweetie Belle said.

"I think you're right." Apple Bloom replied.

Just then, they saw a worried looking brown haired boy. Scootaloo approached the boy. "Hi there. Something wrong?"

"Where is it? WHERE IS IT?" The boy said with panic in his voice.

"What are you looking for?"

"It must be here. If I don't find it, my master will be upset."

Seeing the boy in a panic, Sweetie Belle steps up. "I'll calm him down. Weedle, restrain him with your Strong Shot!"

Weedle pops out and fires it's string on the boy. Soon, the lad was wrapped up in a silk cocoon. Sweetie Belle approached him calmly. "Sorry about this. But, I had to stop you from panicking."

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo soon joined them.

"What was it that you're lookin' fer?" Apple Bloom asked.

After calming down a bit, the boy explained his situation. "I was ask by my master, a Charcoal maker, to watch over his Farfetch'd. But, it ran away from me."

Soon, the girls see a duck like creature carrying a leek. Apple Bloom soon took out her Pokédex. "That must be Farfetch'd."

Farfetch'd, the Wild Duck Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It often carries a leek, and uses it like a weapon to defend itself.

"Sweetie, stay here and help this kid relax." Apple Bloom suggested. "Scoots and I will catch that Farfetch'd."

"Good idea." Sweetie Belle replied.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran after the Farfetch'd. The duo started blocking Farfetch'd from escaping. When the Pokémon found itself trapped, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo started to corner it.

"Nowhere to run now, Farfetch'd." Scootaloo said.

Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle stays with the panic stricken boy. Then, a big man with a full beard comes along.

"There you are." The man said. "I was looking for you."

The boy sees the man, and got worried. "Master! Please don't hurt me. I was trying to find Farfetch'd for you."

"Don't panic, lad. That Farfetch'd of mine can be very reckless sometimes." He looks at his apprentice with concern. "How did you get wrapped up like this?"

"That would be my doing, sir." Sweetie Belle admitted. "This poor kid was panicking so bady. I had to have my Weedle here tie him up."

"So, this is from Weedle's String Shot. As soon as my apprentice calms down, we'll all look for Farfetch'd together."

Suddenly, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo arrived at the scene with AB holding on to the Farfetch'd.

"You found Farfetch'd!" The boy cheered.

"It wasn't easy.' Scootaloo admitted. "But, we got it."

Suddenly, Weedle started to glow. That means it's beginning to evolve. Seconds later, Weedle became a Kakuna. The charcoal maker was impressed with this evolution. "Looks like your Weedle evolved into a Kakuna."

Sweetie Belle was very happy about this. "Congratulations, Kakuna."

She held up her Kakuna with a proud feeling. Later, the group returned to Azalea Town in the Charcoal maker's house.

"Sorry for the Farfetch'd getting away, my friend." The Charcoal maker said. "Next time, though, don't panic so much."

"Thank you, sir." The boy replied. "At least I don't have that silk wrapped around me now."

Everybody laughed. The Charcoal maker got Apple Bloom's attention. "I understand you have a fire type."

"Yes, sir." Apple Bloom replied. "I have a Quilava."

The maker then pulls out a chunk of black rock. "This is a piece of charcoal. It's used to increase fire based moves."

This made Apple Bloom happy. Everybody realized that the sun was going down. So, it'll be to scary to go through the forest at night. The girls went to the Pokémon Center to spend the night. The next day, the girls went up to the entrance to the Ilex Forest.

"Well, take two." Scootaloo said.

The girls entered the forest. As they explore the forest, they were jumped by a person in a dark blue robe. This got the girls worried. Just then, the figure spoke to them. "Don't panic, girls. It's me: Thorax."

"Thorax?" Sweetie gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to warn you. The Changelings are still lurking about."

"I guess since Chrysalis took over as their queen, those guys are very nasty." Apple Bloom figured.

"Yes. We were a proud group of Pokémon trainers. But, under the brutal rule of Chrysalis, they focus mostly on bug types."

This got the girls very sad. But, Thorax comforted. "Don't worry. There are some within them that would like to get away from that witch. Catch you later."

Thorax left the scene, hoping to free the Changelings from Chrysalis. Meanwhile, the girls continue their travels to Goldenrod City. What nobody knows is that Chrysalis herself is watching the conversation. Her Spinarak is on her shoulder.

"Don't be so deluded, Thorax." Chrysalis said to herself. "The Changelings are loyal to me and me only. Even your friends won't be able to stop me."

Chrysalis then ran off to parts unknown.

Chapter 11

APPLE BLOOM
Quilava
Pidgey
Sentret
Mareep

SWEETIE BELLE
Totodile
Kakuna

SCOOTALOO
Chikorita
Bellsprout
Wooper