Author's Note

It's time for Apple Bloom to get ready for Gym Battle 5.

21. Cianwood Combat

Our trio of friends are relaxing on the beach near Cianwood City. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle rested while Scootaloo tries her hand at surfing. Wearing a deep blue wetsuit, she rides a save, trying not to fall. After returning to shore, a girl with long black hair and a once piece lime green swimsuit goes over to her.

"Great maneuvers, girl." The girl said.

"Thanks for the advice." Scootaloo replied as she hands her the board. "And, thanks for letting me use your surfboard."

"Any time. You sure kept your balance good."

"I have a friend back home who had me do some yoga. That helped."

Waving good bye to the surfer girl, Scootaloo rejoins her friends when they saw a flabby looking man in torn karate pants wrestle with a muscular creature.

"That looks like a Machoke, the Superpower Pokémon." Sweetie Belle said.

Apple Bloom pulls out her Pokédex. "That's a Machoke, huh?"

Machoke, the Superpower Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It wears a belt to regulate it's strength.

After the grapple version, the bulky man cries happily. "I'm so proud of you, Machoke. You perfected Submission."

The girls look at this touching scene. Soon, the man saw the girls. "Hello, friends. I didn't know me and my Machoke had an audience."

"We didn't know you were practicing Submission." Scootaloo said happily. "That's was awesome."

"Thank you. It's not often that a group like the Cutie Mark Crusaders would appreciate my work."

The girls were shocked to hear that comment. Sweetie Belle spoke up. "You recognize us?"

"Yes. I know those hairstyles anywhere." The man replied. "I'm glad to see you rose from the darkness of your past. By the way, my name is Chuck: Gym Leader of Cianwood City."

Apple Bloom then spoke up. "Chuck, sir, I would like to challenge you to a gym battle!"

"You seem sure of yourself, Miss Apple Bloom. Very well, pack up your stuff and meet me at my gym. Come on, Machoke."

Despite looking flabby, Chuck is in good shape as he and Machoke jogged up a stairway back to town.

"Come on, guys." Apple Bloom said. "Let's change into our regular clothes and head for the gym."

The trio went back to the Pokémon Center, changed into their regular clothes, and went over to the gym.

"Looks like a traditional martial arts dojo." Sweetie Belle figured. "Let's take off our shoes before entering."

"Good idea." Scootaloo replied. "Might as well show respect to Chuck."

The girls soon entered the gym. They see a bunch of youngsters watching Chuck working out. He stops when he sees the trio. "Hello, girls. You made it."
"We are ready for my gym battle, sir." Apple Bloom said as she bows to Chuck.

"That farm girl is showing proper respect to our master." One make student noticed. "You got to respect that."

The two combatants are now ready for their contest.

"We'll make this a two on two battle, Apple Bloom." Chuck announced.

"Okay, Chuck." Apple Bloom replied. "I'll start off with Scyther!"

"And, I'll begin with Machoke!"

The two Pokémon came out as a blond haired girl wearing a black karate gi stepped out to act as referee. "Let this battle begin."

"Scyther, use Quick Attack!" Apple Bloom called out.

Scyther rushed in. But, Chuck was ready. "Intercept it, Machoke. Then, use Submission!"

Catching the Mantis Pokémon, Machoke rolled on the ground, and slammed it to the ground.

"Your Scyther is fast." Chuck said. "But, Machoke has ways with our opponents."

"We're not giving up." Apple Bloom said as Scyther recovers. "We'll fight to the end."

"Is that so. Here's our answer to those who use flying moves. Machoke, use Cross Chop!"

Machoke crossed his arms, and charged into Scyther. Apple Bloom reacted quickly. "Dodge. Then, use Double Team!"

After avoiding the Cross Chop, Scyther surrounded Machoke with multiple images of itself.

"I have a solution to this." Chuck said. "Machoke, Low Sweep!"

Machoke bent down and swund it's leg at the Scyther clones. Apple Bloom called out to Scyther. "Air Slash!"

Scyther used it's arms to send slashes to Machoke up close. Then, the Superpower Pokémon fainted."

"Machoke is unable to battle." The Karate girl announced. "Scyther wins." She turns to Chuck. "Sorry, master."

"Don't apologize." Chuck said as he recalls Machoke. "You're just doing your duty." He then turns to his opponent. "Here comes my next Pokémon. Go, Poliwrath!"

Out comes a blue muscular creature with a swirl in it's belly. Apple Bloom uses her Pokédex to study it.

Poliwrath, the Tadpole Pokémon. The Pokédex said. This Pokémon is an excellent swimmer. It can cut through strong waves.

Seeing Scyther is getting tired. Apple Bloom recalled it. And sent for her next Pokémon. "Y'all are up, Flaaffy."

Flaaffy come out, and Chuck is impressed. "An electric type, huh? Bring it on!"

"Ya heard him, Flaaffy." Apple Bloom said. "Use Electro Ball!"

Flaaffy fired a ball of electricity. Chuck reacted. "Poliwrath, use Dynamic Punch on that electro ball!"

Poliwrath punched the ball of electricity, then charged at Flaaffy.

"Let that Flaaffy have it with Submission!" Chuck called out.

As Poliwrath rolled on the ground while holding on to Flaaffy, Apple Bloom struck fast. "Flaaffy, use Discharge at close range!"

Flaaffy charged up. And, the electricity hit Poliwrath. The discharge was so powerful, Poliwrath fainted.

"Poliwrath is unable to battle." The Karate girl announced. "Flaaffy wins. The winner of this gym battle is Apple Bloom!"

"Nice work, Flaaffy!" Apple Bloom cheered.

At that moment, Flaaffy was glowing. Scootaloo saw this happening. "Looks like Flaaffy is evolving."

When the glowing stopped, an Ampharos stood where Flaaffy once was. Apple Bloom was excited. "I have my own Ampharos!"

Chuck soon broke pit in tears. "This evolution is beautiful. Just like our gym battle." The gym leader got his composure back. "You have done well, Miss Bloom. You earned the Storm Badge."

Apple Bloom received a round badge made to look like a fist. "Thank you, Chuck.'

Soon, a small version of Machoke came in, looking worried. Apple Bloom studied it with her Pokédex. Machop, the Superpower Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Machoke. It's very strong, despite it's small size.

"We rescued this Machop from a brutal bully who thinks it's a little kid." The Karate girl explained. "What we need is somebody to take care of it. Somebody with a kind heart."

Apple Bloom looked at Scootaloo. "How about you, Scoots. You can use a good variety of Pokémon with ya."

"I think you're right." Scootaloo replied as she turns to Machop. "How about it. You want to come with me?"

Machop looked at Scootaloo. Then, it came to hug her.

"That answers your question." Sweetie Belle said.

One of the female students stepped up. "How about you girls spend the night at my place? You can return to Olivine City in the morning."

"That's a good idea." Apple Bloom replued. "We can use some rest."

End of Chapter 21

APPLE BLOOM
Quilava
Sentret
Ampharos
Drowzee
Scyther
Sudowoodo

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Pidgeotto
Miltank

SWEETIE BELLE
Croconaw
Beedrill
Sunkern
Snubbull
Egg(?)

SCOOTALOO
Bayleef
Weepinbell
Wooper
Machop