Author's Note

With Team Rocket gone, the Cutie Mark Crusaders can continue their journey.

29. The Journey Now Goes On

The next day, the trio watches rain come down. They thought about how they ejected Team Rocket from Goldenrod City.

"Getting rid of those thugs isn't easy." Sweetie Belle said. "But, it was worth it. We did pump up some of our Pokémon."

"You said it." Apple Bloom added. "I'll bet Lance is proud of us."

"So, when will this rain stop?" Scootaloo wondered. "It's stopping us from going to your last stop: Blackthorn City."

Apple Bloom sees the sky. It's gray and rain is falling. But then, she sees something else. Stepping outside, she looks outside the city. She spots a yellow tiger like creature with a mane like gray clouds. Curious, she points her Pokédex at this Pokémon.

Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon. The Pokédex said. One roar from this Pokémon shakes the ground.

At that moment, the skies start to clear up and this Pokémon zips away. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo caught up to her.

"You okay, AB?" Scootaloo asked.

"I sure am." Apple Bloom answered. "I even saw a Legendary Pokémon."

"WHAT?" Sweetie Belle gasped. "You mean like those Pokémon we saw at the Burned Tower at Ecruteak City?"

"Exactly. I saw Raikou."

"Wow! That means Entei and Suicine are out there too."

"I reckon you're right, Sweetie Belle. Now that the rain has stopped. We can get going."

The girls now leave Mahogany Town and made their way to Blackthorn City and Apple Bloom's eighth and final gym battle.

"According to the map," Scootaloo said, "we have to make our way through Route 44, then Icy Path. That'll take us to Blackthorn City."

Apple Bloom saw Sweetie Belle holding on to her Togepi. "That Togepi is so dang cute."

"He sure is." Sweetie Belle cooed. "I've also been training him. So far, it's best move is Metronome."

"If I'm not mistaken, Metronome comes out as any Pokémon move."

"Yep. That move is always full of surprises. Right, Togepi?"

Togepi chirped happily. Suddenly, three familiar figures show up. It's the trio of Daisy, Rose, and Lily.

"The flowery trio." Apple Bloom said. "What can we do for you?"

"You're spreading gossip again?" Rose gasped. "Didn't you learn your lesson last year?"

"Wait right there. We are on a Pokémon journey. And, I have seven official badges."

"We don't believe you!" Lily shouted. "Prove it!"

Apple Bloom pulled out her badge case, and showed the doubters her gym badges.

"You've been training Pokémon?" Daisy said. "Let's see what you got!"

Apple Bloom pulled out her Poké Balls and threw them in the air. Out came Typhlosion, Pidgeot, Sentret, Poliwhirl, Miltank, and Hypno."

"Wow!" Daisy gasped. "Quite a collection."

"Thank you." Apple Bloom replied as she called back her Pokémon. "I also have Scyther, Sudowoodo, and Ampharos. They're at Professor Elm's Lab."

Lily went to Sweetie Belle. "What do you have, Sweetie Belle? Besides that cute looking Togepi."

"Have a look." Sweetie Belle replied as she called for her Pokémon. When Lily sees Feraligatr, Beedrill, Sunkern, and Snubbull, she was impressed. "Okay, I admit. Not bad."

As Sweetie Belle called back her Pokémon, Scootaloo stepped up. "Now, it's my turn. Come out, everybody!"

Out came Meganium, Weepinbell, Machoke, Quagsire, and Pineco.

"Quite the team, Scootaloo." Rose said. "That Pineco is a fascinating one."

Scootaloo blushed as she called back her Pokémon.

"We're sorry." Rose said. "I guess we're stuck in the past when it comes to you guys and Diamond Tiara."

"We watched her big battle with Zephyr Breeze." Daisy added. "We admit, she looked beautiful dressed as a gypsy dancer."

"I've seen pictures of all of her tomboy outfits." Apple Bloom said. "You'd be impressed with some of Diamond's outfits."

"We believe that."

After apologizing to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the Flower girls left the scene vowing never to bring up bad pasts again. At a distance, Chrysalis watches with evil eyes.

"There they are." Chrysalis hissed. "Time to ambush those girls!"

"Stop right there!" Said a female voice.

Chrysalis turned to see a white skinned girl with orange curly hair and wearing a green gown.

"I heard of you." Chrysalis said. "Aren't you Autumn Breeze of the Kirin tribe?"

"That I am." The girl answered. "I have come to help you overcome your darkness."

"How's that?"

"You were a loner until you saw the Changelings. You rushed in and took over that tribe. You even ejected Thorax, who was destined to be their leader."

"It's true." Chrysalis said with tears in her eyes. "I wanted to feel like somebody. But these days, I'm starting to regret what I've done. I guess Thorax is a better leader. Even his brother, Pharynx, follows him now."

Autumn Breeze then approached her. "Perhaps time with me and the other Kirins can help you."

This made Chrysalis realize that it's an opportunity for redemption. "Lead the way, Miss Breeze. I'll follow."

Autumn Breeze leads Chrysalis away from the CMCs so Chrysalis can make up for her misdeeds. Soon, the trio of friends see something on the path.

"That must be the cave leading to the Ice Path." Sweetie Belle said.

They soon felt a chilly breeze coming from the cave.

"That's the Icy Path, all right." Scootaloo said while shivering. "I can feel the chill."

"Good thing we have thick coats in our packs." Apple Bloom informed. "Let's bundle up."

The girls soon went to their backpacks to find their heavy coats. The Icy Path is the only thing standing in the way from entering Blackthorn City. Meanwhile in Kanto, Rumble sails on a Seaking as he makes in on shore.

"Thanks for the ride, Seaking ." Rumble said with gratitude. "Now, get some rest."

After recalling his Pokémon, Rumble looks around. He sees that he reached his goal."

"Here I am at Cinnabar Island." Rumble said. "Once me and my Pokémon rest up, we'll head for the Pokémon gym, and challenge Blaine, the Quiz Master."

Rumble soon went to the Pokémon Center to heal his Pokémon. This way, he'll be ready to battle Blaine, the Cinnabar Island gym leader.

End of Chapter 29

APPLE BLOOM
Typhlosion
Pidgeot
Sentret
Hypno
Miltank
Poliwhirl

At Professor Elm's Lab [
Ampharos
Scyther
Sudowoodo

SWEETIE BELLE
Feraligatr
Beedrill
Sunkern
Granbull
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Meganium
Weepinbell
Quagsire
Machoke
Pineco