Apple Bloom and her friends entered the Ice Path on the way to Blackthorn City. As the girls noticed, it's not so easy with the icy floors.

"Oh boy." Apple Bloom said. "It's not like the ice rinks back home. I wish we brought some ice skates."

Apple Bloom started to be upset. Sweetie Belle comforted her. "Don't feel bad, Apple Bloom. This is another challenge. We'll get through this together."

"Besides, this is a good place to catch an ice type Pokémon to confront the Blackthorn City gym leader." Scootaloo added as she pointed at something she saw. "Like that one."

The girls saw a small fur covered pig. Apple Bloom studied it with her Pokédex. Swinub, the Pig Pokémon and the early form of Piloswine. It can smell anything with it's sensitive nose.

Getting an idea, Apple Bloom called for one of her Pokémon. "Let's go, Sentret!"

Just as Sentret poppep out, Swinub saw it and unleashed a Powder Snow attack.

"Wow! That's one powerful attack." Scootaloo noticed. "I wonder how Apple Bloom will deal with this."

"Sentret, use Hyoer Voice!" Apple Bloom called out.

Sentret sang loudly, distracting Swinub. Apple Bloom followed it up. "Now, use Slam!"

Sentret soon slammed it's body into Swinub. Taking out an Ultra Ball, the farm girl attempted to catch it. "Ultra Ball, GO!"

The Ultra Ball connected to Swinub, and absorbed it. After a few shakes, the ball clicked, then vanished.

"There's another Pokémon for Professor Elm to study." Apple Bloom said.

"Hey, look at Sentret!" Sweetie Belle said getting excited.

Sentret started to get long as it evolved. Seconds later, Sentret became a brown creature with a long furry tail.

"Sentret is now a Furret." Apple Bloom noticed as she took out her Pokédex.

Furret, the Long Body Pokémon and the evolved form of Sentret. The Pokédex said. With it's long body and speed, this Pokémon can slip through any grasp.

Apple Bloom hugged her newest friend. As the travels through the cave continue, Sweetie Belle tells Apple Bloom an important fact.

"The floor below us is a giant field of ice." Sweetie Belle informed. "It'll be impossible for us to reach the next area from there."

"That's why Scootaloo has her Machoke out." Apple Bloom said. "There are boulders that can pe pushed in the holes around here. If them rocks are in the right places, we might have a chance."

Machoke pushed a boulder down a hole, and it fell onto the floor below.

"That's the last one, Machoke." Scootaloo said as she recalls her Pokémon. "Time to take a rest."

The girls went down to the next floor. They saw where the boulders went. They soon slid on the ice, letting the boulders stop them. They soon stopped at the next passage.

"We made it." Sweetie Belle cheered. "You were right about Machoke helping out, Scoots."

"Having a powerhouse like Machoke on your side is very handy." Scootaloo added.

The girls continue their travels through the cave. Meanwhile, Autumn Breeze led Chrysalis to a remote village.

"Here we are, Chrysalis." Autumn Breeze said. "My home village."

"This feels so peaceful." Chrysalis noticed. "I never felt so relaxed before."

"We of the Kirin tribe will help you in your quest for redemption."

As Autumn Breeze shows Chrysalis around, they see two Kirin woman confronting an angry Ursaring. Soon, the women turned black and flared up. This frightened Chrysalis. "What's going on?"

"That's a burden we live with." Autumn Breeze explained. "When any of us get super mad, we become dangerous Niriks. Once we dispense with our anger and our fire, we revert to normal selves."

After fighting off the Ursaring, the woman shot their fire in the air so nobody gets hurt. Then, their skin changes back to normal. This has Chrysalis relieved. Soon, a light blue skinned woman with wavy blue hair and wearing a teal gown steps out.

"Hello, Autumn Breeze." The woman greeted. "Bringing in a visitor I see."

"Yes, Queen Rain Shine." Autumn Breeze replied. "Miss Chrysalis here needs our guidance to give up her wicked ways."

Rain Shine walks up to the visitor. "Welcome, Chrysalis. I am Rain Shine. Leader of this tribe.'

"A pleasure to meet you, your majesty." Chrysalis said as she bowed.

Rain Shine giggled seeing this sight. "No need for those kind of formalities. We are all friends here. Follow me."

Chrysalis soon followed the Kirin leader, wondering what's in store for her. Back with Apple Bloom and her friends, they finally exited the Ice Path and see their destination.

"There it is!" Scootaloo cheered. "Blackthorn City."

"All of that sliding was worth it." Sweetie Belle said with relief. "Now, we can rest up."

"You said it." Apple Bloom agreed. "Once we rested up, we'll get ready for my eighth and final gym battle. The Johto League is so close."

The girls soon made their way to Blackthorn City. With a new Pokémon caught, Apple Bloom might have a chance. In Kanto, Rumble is ready to wrap up his gym battle in Cinnabar island.

"Let's do this, Golem." Rumble called out. "Rollout Attack!"

Rucking into a ball, Golem sped up and struck Arcanine, causing it to faint.

"Arcanine is unable to battle." An acting referee announced. "Golem wins. The winner of this gym battle is Rumble!"

Rumble cheered as Gym Leader Blaine slled back his Arcanine.

"That was quite a battle, Rumble." Blain praised. "That Rollout was very impressive. This shows me your dedication as a Pokémon trainer. You earned the Volcano Badge."

Rumble accepted his prize." Thank you, Blaine."

As Rumble leaves the gym, he was getting pumped.

"Seven down, one to go." Rumble said happily. "I heard a new gym leader was chosen in Viridian City after the infamous Giovanni disbanded Team Rocket here in Kanto. I wonder who I'll face."

Back in Canterlot, Applejack studies Big Mac's map of Johto. Seeing the stickers of the gyms where Apple Bloom won her battles, Applejack has one thought. I wonder how my little sister will do in her eighth battle.

End of Chapter 30

APPLE BLOOM
Typhlosion
Pidgeot
Furret
Hypno
Miltank
Poliwhirl

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Ampharos
Scyther
Sudowoodo
Swinub

SWEETIE BELLE
Feraligatr
Beedrill
Sunkern
Granbull
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Meganium
Weepinbell
Quagsire
Machoke
Pineco

Author's Note

Next time, Apple Bloom in her last gym battle before facing the Johto League. Let's hope she'll win.