Author's Note

The trio of friends are ready to return to Olivine City.

22. Returning to Olivine

Morning came at Cianwood City. Apple Bloom and her friends spent the night with one of Chuck's students, named Mika. Apple Bloom has breakfast with her.

"So, where are you and your two friends heading to next?" Mika asked.

"We're on our way back to Olivine City." Apple Bloom answered. "Gym Leader Jasmine's Ampharos must be doing better by now."

"That's right. Her associate, Janina, came to pick up some medicine for that Ampharos."

After a tasty breakfast, Apple Bloom walks out to see her two friends engage in a Pokémon battle.

"Snubbull," Sweetie Belle called out, "use Headbutt!"

Snubbull rushed in to ram into Wooper. But, Scootaloo was ready. "Counter that with Water Gun!"

Wooper blew water into Snubbull's face, forcing her back. Sweetie Belle comforted the Pokémon. "Don't worry, Snubbull. You'll be alright."

That gave Snubbull confidence. And, she soon had her mouth coated with ice. As she rushed in, Scootaloo got nervous. "Uh oh. Looks like your Snubbull learned Ice Fang."

Snubbull gave a bite on Wooper, this got the Water Fish Pokémon an icy feeling. Sweetie was pleased with the results.

"Let's have our Pokémon rest." Sweetie suggested.

"Good idea." Scootaloo replied as she recalled Wooper. "That Ice Fang was a pleasant surprise."

The girls soon heard somebody clapping. It turned out to be Apple Bloom.

"Good work, guys." Apple Bloom cheered. "I see you guys have kept up on your training."

"Why not?" Scootaloo replied. "Got to keep up with you, you know."

"Let's head for the Pokémon Center. I'll call Jasmine to see how her Ampharos is doing."

"Okay. Then, maybe you'll get your long awaited Gym battle."

Minutes later, Sweetie and Scootaloo have their Pokémon healed while Apple Bloom calls Olivine City.

"So, how's Sparkle?" Apple Bloom wondered.

"She's doing fine." Jasmine answered. "Thanks to the medicine Janina brought, Sparkle is doing much better."

"That's a relief."

"How about you? Did you win the gym battle there in Cianwood?"

Apple Bloom got out her badge case and showed the Olivine City gym leader her five badges. "Does this answer your question?"

"It certainly does." Jasmine replied. "I'll be waiting for you."

The vidphone shuts off as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joins her.

"Our Pokémon are healed and we're ready to go." Sweetie Belle said happily. "The ferry back to Olivine City should arrive here in twenty minutes."

"Okee Dokee." Apple Bloom cheered. "Let's head back to Olivine and my sixth gym battle!"

Minutes later, the girls find themselves on the boat heading back to Olivine. Suddenly, they heard a commotion. A little round blue creature with a flat tail runs past them. Apple Bloom points her Pokédex at this creature.

Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon and the early form of Poliwrath. The Pokédex said. The swirl on it's body is actually it's insides.

One of the ship's workers rushed in. "It's here again."

"Does that Poliwag come by often?" Apple Bloom asked.

"It sure does. Every once in a while, a Poliwag comes to our ship. No doubt to get away from predators on the waters. It doesn't mean to. But, these Poliwags sometimes cause mischief."

The girls see what they mean when Poliwag blew a Water Gun at a resting Growlithe. The firey dog growled, not liking it's rest to be disturbed. Poliwag got so scared, it ran off. At that moment, Poliwag ran up to Apple Bloom, and jumped up on her head.

"Hey!" Apple Bloom gasped. "Watch it up there!"

The owner of the Growlithe calmed her Pokémon down. The ship's worker saw Poliwag on Apple Bloom's head, and has an idea. "Maybe you can take care of that Poliwag."

"Me?" Apple Bloom wondered.

"Sure. With the right trainer, that little Poliwag might learn to become a better Pokémon."

Believing the ship worker is right, Apple Bloom took out an empty Poké Ball and tapped on Poliwag. The ball soon clicked and vanished.

"Now, that little fella will have somebody to teach it well." Apple Bloom said proudly.

"Apple Bloom!" Sweetie called out. "My egg is starting to glow."

"I'll bet that means that it's going to hatch."

Apple Bloom went over to see Sweetie Belle place her egg on a pillow. The three girls watched the egg glow. Seconds later, a egg shaped critter came out with a spiky head. It chirped happily.

"Aw." Sweetie Belle cooed. "It's so cute."

Scootaloo recognized what it is. "Looks like you hatched a Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon."

Apple Bloom pulls out her Pokédex. "So, that's a Togepi. Huh?"

Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It soaks up positive vibes, and uses them for energy.

"You're so cute!' Sweetie Belle cooed as she hugs her newest Pokémon. "I wonder if my big sister, Rarity, would like you."

"Even I think that Togepi is adorable." Scootaloo said. "And, I don't usually say things like that."

Soon, everybody heard an announcement over the ship's speakers. "Olivine City, ten minutes."

"Hey." Scootaloo said. "That's our next stop. I hope you're ready, AB."

"Scootaloo is right." Sweetie added. "I heard that Jasmine specializes in steel types."

Apple Bloom still thought out her strategy. "Steel is vulnerable to Ground, fighting, and especially fire moved. I think Quilava and Sudowoodo will help me here."

"Maybe, but Scyther, Drowzee, and Ampharos may not be helpful. Who will be your third Pokémon be?"

"Maybe a good time to train Poliwag. This is the perfect way to begin it's rehabilitation."

Looking forward, the three girls are prepared for their arrival at Olivine City. This is indeed a great opportunity for Apple Bloom to help steer Poliwag in the right direction. Meanwhile, in Kanto, Rumble rests in a Pokémon Center in Fuschia City.

"Getting through those routes took a lot out of me and my Pokémon." Rumble said. "It's worth it though. My Pokémon and I are ready."

Rumble steps out and looks at the Fuschia gym. "I heard that one of Koga's best students, Janine, is now the gym leader here. This should be interesting. I wonder where Koga is now."

End of Chapter 22

APPLE BLOOM
Quilava
Sentret
Ampharos
Drowzee
Scyther
Sudowoodo

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Pidgeotto
Miltank
Poliwag

SWEETIE BELLE
Croconaw
Beedrill
Snubbull
Sunkern
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Bayleef
Weepinbell
Wooper
Machop