Author's Note

The three some arrive in Johto to begin their journey.

2. Starting off in New Bark Town

After the plane touched down in Johto, the trio of friends were walking along a road outside of the airport. Soon, they saw a small little town in the distance.

"So, this is New Bark Town." Scootaloo said.

"That's it, all right." Apple Bloom replied. "This is where my journey beings."

"And, we'll be here to support you." Sweetie Belle added.

They enter the town. It was quiet and peaceful, kind of like Sweet Apple Acres, without the barn. They saw a huge building, and recognized it.

"That must be where Johto's Professor is." Apple Bloom figured. "Come on."

As they approach, they saw a red haired boy looking in the lab. He wore a black jacket over a white shirt, black shorts and sneakers. The girls are a little weary about this boy. He soon spotted them. "What are you dames looking at?!"

"Rude much?" Sweetie responded.

The girls soon entered the lab. They saw a bunch of lab workers on computers. They soon were greeted by a young man with short brown hair and wearing a glasses.

"Welcome, my friends." The man greeted. "My name is Professor Elm. It's a pleasure to have visitors come into my lab."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." Apple Bloom said. "My name is..."

"Apple Bloom. Yes, I heard of you. Your grandmother, Granny Smith, called me and told me that you'd be starting your own journey. And, I see you have your two partners, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, supporting you."

"You got it." Scootaloo replied. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders are a well oiled machine."

Soon, one of Elm's assistants brings in a tray with three Poké Balls on it. Professor Elm gives an explanation. "Each of these Poké Balls contains a starter Pokémon for this region. Choose one, Apple Bloom. Any one you want."

"Any one I want, huh?" Apple Bloom wondered.

The farm girl sees that there are stickers on the Poké Balls. The stickers are of a leaf, a fireball, and a water drop. Apple Bloom chooses the flame. She tosses the ball in the air and it opened. Out comes a small critter with a little snout and red spots on it's back.

"It's a Cyndaquil." Sweetie Belle said. "The Fire Mouse Pokémon."

Cyndaquil approached Apple Bloom carefully. Soon, it squeaked happily. Apple Bloom carefully picked up this Pokémon. "It's so cute."

"Now, you can go on your journey." Elm said proudly.

"I wonder if there are gyms here on Johto?"

"There are. Anybody who collects eight badges are automatically qualified to face the JohtoPokémon League."

Apple Bloom thought about it. She then made a decision. "I'll do it. If Diamond Tiara can go on a Pokémon journey, so can I!"

"That's excellent!" Elm cheered. He then gave Apple Bloom some items. "Here are some extra Poké Balls and a Pokédex. This way, you'll learn about any Pokémon you see."

Apple Bloom puts her Poké Balls away and decided to use her new Pokédex. It's speaks with a charming male voice. Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokémon. When it gets angry, the flames on it's back become intense.

Scootaloo looks on and wondered about something. "I wonder if we can get some Pokémon ourselves."

"Good point, Scoots." Sweetie Belle replied. "During Diamond's journey, Silver and Babs found Pokémon to be their friends."

"I'm sure you will." Elm said to the girls.

"Well, girls." Apple Bloom announced. "Let's head out!"

The friends head out to explore the world of Pokémon. As soon as they were gone, the red haired boy who was watching then barged in the lab.

"WHAT?!" Elm said nervously. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm here for a Pokémon, Professor Dummy!" The boy said. "Give one to me!"

The boy marched menacingly to Professor. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom looks at a Map the assistants of Elm gave them.

"We should head here through Route 29." Apple Bloom said. "Then, we'll make a stop in Cherrygrove City."

Just then, they were pushed hard by the red haired boy. He knocked them over as he ran past them. As the girls recovered, the boy gets their attention.

"My name is Scorch!" The boy said angrily. "I'm going to be the greatest Pokémon trainer in Johto. And, nobody will get in my way!" He then grabs Apple Bloom and shoves her to the ground. "Not even dizzy dames like you!"

Scorch then leaves, leaving the girls dazed.

"What's with this Scorch creep?" Scootaloo wondered.

Just then, a kind man approaches the girl with a container that has what looks like an egg in it.

"Do you girls know of Professor Elm?" The man asked.

"We do." Apple Bloom answered. "In fact, I just got my Cyndaquil from him."

"My name is Mr. Pokémon. I come from Cherrygrove City. I have this Pokémon egg to give to Professor Elm. Would you girls like to give it to him?"

"We will be delighted to." Sweetie Belle said. "Then, maybe we can figure out what's with this creep who knocked us over."

Later, the girls returned to New Bark Town and gave the egg to Professor Elm.

"Thank you, girls." Professor Elm said gratefully. "This could be a new find in my research."

"Glad to help, Professor." Apple Bloom replied.

The girls see that the professor is sad. Scootaloo went over to him. "Something wrong, Professor?"

"After you guys left," The professor explained as he puts down the egg, "a vicious looking young man stormed in here and swiped a Poké Ball."

"Does this fella have red hair by any chance?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yes! How do you know?"

"He knocked us over as he sped away. He calls himself Scorch!"

"Scorch. A proper name for this person. He has a hot temper."

"Which Pokémon did he take?" Sweetie Belle asked,

"He took a Poké Ball containing a Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokémon."

This scared them a bit. But, they are not going to let this setback stop them. They left the lab and resumed their journey. Meanwhile, in Kanto, Rumble left Professor Oak's Lab.

"Now that I got a starter Pokémon," Rumble said to himself, "I can begin my Pokémon journey. I'll show that upstart, Diamond Tiara, who is the real champion of Kanto!"

End of Chapter 2

APPLE BLOOM
Cyndaquil