Author's Note

With Jasmines Ampharos now healed, Apple Bloom can have her long awaited Gym battle.

23. Steel Determination

The sun rises to welcome a new day in Olivine City. After winning her fifth gym badge in Cianwood City, Apple Bloom called Jasmine to see how Sparkle is doing. After learning that the Ampharos is doing better, she is now ready for her gym battle. Soon, she and her two friends arrived at the Olivine City gym where Janina was waiting.

"Hello, girls." Janina greeted. "It's good to see you again. Jasmine is waiting for you. Are you ready, Apple Bloom?"

"Well, as ready as I'll ever be." Apple Bloom answered.

The girls entered the gym. Inside, Jasmine was there to greet her.

"Hello, Apple Bloom." Jasmine said. "I'm glad that we're finally going to battle each other."

"Me too." Apple Bloom replied. "Let's get to it."

The two combatants got into their positions with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watching.

"This will be a three on three battle." Jasmine said. "And, Janina will act as the referee. Are you ready, Apple Bloom?"

"I'm ready when you are." Apple Bloom answered.

"Then, here's my first Pokémon. Go, Magnemite."

Apple Bloom remembers Magnemite from battling Scorch. She then, makes her first choice. "Let's go, Sudowoodo!"

As soon as Sudowoodo comes out, Janina makes an announcement. "Let the battle begin!"

"Magnemite," Jasmine called out, "use Sinuc Boom."

Magnemite unleashed sound waves to strike at Sudowoodo. Apple Bloom strikes back. "Sudowoodo, use Rock Throw!"

Sudowoodo has rocks rain on Magnemite. Then, Apple Bloom follows it up. "Now, Low Kick!"

Getting a running start, Sudowoodo kicked Magnemite so hard, it fainted.

"Magnemite is unable to battle." Janina announced. "Sudowoodo wins!"

"Magnemite, return." Jasmine said as she recalled her Pokémon. She then makes another choice. "Fighting moves like Low Kick won't help you with this. Go, Skarmory!"

Out came a metallized bird. Apple Bloom took out her Pokédex to learn of this bird.

Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It might look heavy. But, it's wings are actually hollow. This allows Skarmory to fly strong.

Apple Bloom got nervous as Jasmine makes her move. "Skarmory, use Air Slash!"

Skarmory strikes at Sudowoodo. Apple Bloom tries to strike back. "Sudowoodo, use Rock Throw."

As Sudowoodo threw rocks at the armored bird, Jasmine unleashed a surprise. "Skarmory, use Steel Wing!"

With it's wings glowing, Skarmory strikes Sudowoodo, causing it to faint.

"Sudowoodo is unable to battle." Janina announced. "Skarmory wins!"

As Apple Bloom sadly recalled Sudowoodo, her friends were concerned.

"Those steel types are tough." Scootaloo said. "They're powerful against rock types. I hope Apple Bloom has a back up plan."

"I do, Scootaloo." Apple Bloom said as she alls for her next Pokémon. "Go, Poliwag!"

Poliwag comes out. Jasmine is amused. "This will be easy. Skarmory , use Air Slash."

As Skarmory prepares to blow Poliwag, Apple Bloom struck fast. "Poliwag, use Water Gun!"

Poliwag blew water on Skarmory's eyes. With the bird blinded, Apple Bloom followed it up quick. "Bubble Beam!"

The Tadpole Pokémon blew a stream of bubbles at Skarmory. Being blinded by the Water Gun and worn from battling Sudowoodo, the Armor Bird Pokémon soon fainted.

"Skarmory is unable to battle." Janina announced. "Poliwag wins."

"All right, Apple Bloom!" Sweetie cheered. "You got this!"

Jasmine recalled Skarmory and faced her opponent. "That Poliwag is very strong for a little critter."

"Thank you, Jasmine." Apple Bloom said as Poliwag hops happily.

"Here comes my third and final Pokémon. Stop this if you can. Go, Steelix!"

Everybody gasped when they see a giant steel snake come out. Apple Bloom's Pokédex some shocking info. Steelix, the Iron Snake Pokémon. It can tunnel underground for miles. If you feel a rumble in the ground, it's possibly a Steelix tunneling.

This got Apple Bloom worried. "Poliwag, return."

The farm girl has an idea. "Let's go, Quilava!"

Quilava pops out and flared up, ready for battle.

"Good choice." Jasmine complimented. "You probably know that Fire types are powerful against steel types. But, we gym leaders have ways to cover our Pokémon weaknesses."

"We're ready for anything." Apple Bloom proudly said.

"We'll see about that. Steelix, use Dig!"

Steelix burrowed underground. Quilava looked around for irs opponent. Suddenly, it felt rumbling and moved out of the way before Steelix emerged.

"Steelix, use Flame Wheel!" Apple Bloom called out.

Curling up and flaring up, Quilava rolled hard and struck Steelix. Apple Bloom clapped as she sees Steelix feeling weaker.

"We won't lose that easy." Jasmine said. "Steelix, use Rock Tomb."

Steelix unleashed rocks from the ground to stop Quilava cold.

"Don't give up, Quilava!" Apple Bloom called out. "I believe in you." She then yelled out, "YOU CAN DO IT!!"

Within the rock formation, fire started to flare out, and break out of the rocks. From the flames stepped out a yellow and teal creature standing up and staring down at it's opponent.

"I don't believe it." Apple Bloom gasped as she pulls out her Pokédex. "My Quilava is now a..."

Typhlosion, the Volcano Pokémon and the evolved form of Quilava.
The Pokédex said. It can heat the area around it to scorching temperatures.

This is what Apple Bloom didn't expect. When she saw that Steelix got hit by it's own rocks, she struck fast. "Typhlosion, use Flame Charge!"

Typhlosion rushed in and struck Steelix. The heat was so intense, Steelix soon fainted.

"Steelix is unable to battle." Janina announced. "Typhlosion wins. The winner of this gym battle is Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom cheered as she and Typhlosion hugged each other. After recalling Steelix, Jasmine approached Apple Bloom proudly. "That was a great gym battle, Apple Bloom. And, the evolution from Quilava to Typhlosion is a sight to see. You have truly earned the Mineral Badge."

The farm girl received a silver badge shaped like an octagon. "Thank you, ma'am."

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came along to congratulate their friend. Meanwhile, in Kanto, Rumble is wrapping up his gym battle in Fuschia City.

"Fearow," Rumble calls out, "use Drill Peck!"

Spinning like a drill, Fearow struck at the insect Pokémon, Venomoth, who soon fainted.

"Venomoth is unable to battle." One of the ninjas announced. "Fearow wins! The winner of this battle is Rumble!"

Rumble soon hugged his Pokémon. A female ninja approached her opponent. "Well done, Rumble. My master, Koga, would be proud of you and your Pokémon. This Soul Badge is definitely yours."

"Thank you, Janine." Rumble said as he accepts the Soul Badge. "Five down, three to go."

End of Chapter 23

APPLE BLOOM
Typhlosion
Sentret
Ampharos
Drowzee
Sudowoodo
Poliwag

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Pidgeotto
Miltank
Scyther

SWEETIE BELLE
Croconaw
Beedrill
Snubbull
Sunkern
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Bayleef
Weepinbell
Wooper
Machop