Author's Note

Apple Bloom is going to learn which Pokémon she caught when she gets ready for her fourth Gym Battle.

16. Ghosts in the Gym

Dawn comes to the area of Ecruteak City. Apple Bloom heads to the Vidphone to talk to Professor Elm.

"Good morning, Apple Bloom." Elm greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"Howdy, Professor." Apple Bloom said. "I'm currently in Ecruteak City, ready for my fourth gym battle."

"That's a good progress for you. But, I have a feeling this isn't the only reason you're calling me."

"Yes, sir. I recently caught a Pokémon. How's he doin'?"

"Your recent catch us doing good."

In steps a living tree trunk with branches for arms. Apple Bloom was shocked as she pulls out her Pokédex."

Sudowoodo, the Imitation Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It likes to disguise as a tree. But, runs away when it gets wet.

Apple Bloom looks at her latest catch. "This gives me an idea."

Later, Apple Bloom looks at the Ecruteak City Gym. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Diamond Tiara are with her.

"If the gym leader here uses ghost types," Sweetie Belle said nervously, "I hope they don't give me a breakdown."

"Not to worry, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo said to calm her down. "Diamond and I will keep you safe."

Diamond Tiara gave Sweetie Belle a comforting hug. The group entered the building. They were greeted by a blond haired man wearing a blue shirt and white pants.

"Welcome to the Ecruteak City Gym." The man greeted. "My name is Morty. And, I am the gym leader."

"Hello, sir." Apple Bloom replied. "My name is Apple Bloom. I would like to have a gym battle with you."

"You think you can keep up with my ghost types?"

"I have three badges already. So, let's do this!"

The girls watch from the sidelines as Eevee curls up on Diamond's lap.

"Let's have a three on three battle, Apple Bloom." Morty said. "Ladies first."

"Thank you, sir." Apple Bloom replied. "I'll start with Drowzee."

"And, I'll begin with Gastly!"

Both Pokémon come out. Sweetie sees this Gastly, and remembers her first seeing this ghost at Sprout Tower. "That Gastly looks freaky."

One of the channelers has a white cloth in her hand. Morty made the first move. "Gastly, use Lick!"

Gastly's tongue extends out. Apple Bloom knows it means trouble. "Dodge, then use Confusion!"

After barely avoiding the Lick attack, Drowzee fired a beam of Confusion. Gastly started to act strange.

"Snap out of it!" Morty pleaded. Then, use Lick again!"

Fighting through the confusion, Gastly nailed Drowzee. The Hypnosis Pokémon was still ready for action.

"Try using your Psybeam." Apple Bloom called out.

Drowzee fired a beam of psychic energy at Gastly. The werue ghost soon fainted.

"Gastly is unable to battle." One of the channelers announced. "Drowzee wins!"

"Good work, Drowzee!" Apple Bloom cheered.

Morty recalled Gastly, and pulled out another Poké Ball. "Here's your next opponent. Go, Haunter!"

Out comes a spiky head and claw like hands. This got Sweetie shaking. One of the channelers approached her. "Forgive me, miss. This is for own protection."

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom pulled out her Pokédex to study this ghost. Haunter, the Gas Pokémon and the evolved form of Gastly. This ghostly Pokémon likes lurking in dark places.

"Let's shut it down fast, Drowzee." Apple Bloom said. "Use Psybeam!"

But, Gastly's Lick kicked in and Drowzee was paralyzed. Morty struck fast. "Haunter, use Shadow Punch!"

Making a black fist appear, Haunter gave a hit to Drowzee. The tapir type Pokémon soon fainted.

"Drowzee is unable to battle." The channeler announced. "Haunter wins."

"Drowzee, return," Apple Bloom said. She then looks at her Poké Ball. "You tried. Now, get some rest." She then made her next decision. "Time for some beginner's luck!"

Out pops Sudowoodo. Diamond was surprised. "Where did she get a Sudowoodo from?"

"There was a tree blocking a road." Scootaloo answered. "That must be it."

"This will be easy." Morty said. "Haunter, use Shadow Punch!"

Haunter readies it's attack. Apple Bloom acted quickly. "Dodge that. Then, use Mimic!"

After avoiding the Shadow Punch, Sudowoodo soon glowed, and copied the move. Morty is unsure of this. He strikes fast. "Now, use Night Shade!"

Haunter unleashed black energy. But, Sudowoodo avoided it as Apple Bloom calls out. "Let's use our OWN Shadow Punch!"

Sudowoodo gave Haunter a dose of it's own ghostly medicine. The farm girl acted quickly. "Now, use Rock Throw!"

The Imitation Pokémon made some rocks appear and strike Haunter enough to cause it to faint.

"Haunter is unable to battle." The channeler announced. "Sudowoodo wins!"

As the girls cheered for their friend, Sweetie Belle returned to then, wrapped in a straitjacket.

"Whoa! Did that Haunter scare you so much?" Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie sadly nods yes. Morty recalled Haunter and turns to his opponent. "I'm pleased with this battle, Miss Apple Bloom. Using Sudowoodo's Mimic was a smart move."

"Thank you, Morty." Apple Bloom replied.

"Time for my third and final Pokémon. Go, Gengar!"

Out pops a purple ghoulish looking creature. Eevee got scared. But, Diamond cuddled her little friend. Sweetie Belle looked at the thing with eyes wide open. "That's a Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon."

Apple Bloom gets her Pokédex out. "So, that's a Gengar. Huh?'

Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon and the evolved form of Haunter. Said the Pokédex. If you get a sudden sense of fright, a Gengar might be heading your way.

Apple Bloom soon had an idea. After recalling her Sudowoodo, she makes her next choice. "Let's go, Quilava!"

Morty looks at Quilava with interest as it comes out. "Quilava, huh? Interesting."

"This is my way to heat things up." Apple Bloom stated.

"Let's find out. Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"

Gengar powers up a ball of black energy. Apple Bloom quickly makes a move. "Quilava, use Smokescreen!"

Quilava blew smoke just as Gengar fired a shadow ball. The ghostly Pokémon was sure it struck Quilava. But, Apple Bloom's voice is heard. "Now, use Flame Charge!"

At that moment, Quilava flared up and struck Gengar. Morty was shocked. "I don't believe it!"

"Then, believe this." Apple Bloom replied. "Quilava, Flame Wheel!"

Quilava curled up and spins into a fireball. Gengar got hit with the heat, then fainted.

"Gengar is unable to battle." The channeler announced. "Quilava wins. The winner of this gym battle is Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom cheered and hugged Quilava. Seeing that Sweetie Belle is calmed down, the channeler removed the straitjacket. Morty then speaks. "That was a great gym battle. That Sudowoodo was a big surprise."

"I know." Apple Bloom replied. "I exchanged Sudowoodo for Pidgeotto."

"I guess she figured to give Pidgeotto a rest." Scootaloo figured.

Morty took out what looks like a blue soeach balloon with white eye outlines. "I give to you the Fog Badge.'

"Thank you, sir." Apple Bloom replied as she puts her badge in her case.

"By the way. I would like to ask you and your friends to meet me at the Tin Tower tomorrow morning. A great event is coming."

What event is Morty talking about? We'll find out in our next episode.

End of Chapter 16

APPLE BLOOM
Quilava
Sentret
Flaaffy
Drowzee
Scyther
Sudowoodo

In Prof. Elm's Laboratory
Pidgeotto

SWEETIE BELLE
Croconaw
Kakuna
Sunkern
Egg(?)

SCOOTALOO
Bayleef
Bellsprout
Wooper