Author's Note

Apple Bloom faces her next test to prove she's worthy of her last badge.

32. An Apple in the Land of Dragons

This is a scary situation for Apple Bloom and her friends. After her furece battle with Clair, the Blackthorn City gym leader, a brutal man came in and swiped the Rising Badge away. Then, ordered other trainers to imprison the girls. Inside the chambers they were taken to, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are still bound and helpless.

"This is heartbreaking." Apple Bloom said sadly. "My eighth badge taken away. Now, we're stuck here as prisoners."

"Heartbreaking is right." Scootaloo added with tears in her eyes. "Those brutes even took out Pokémon away."

"We have to find a way out of here." Sweetie Belle said nervously.

The door of the chamber opened as one of the trainers spoke in an angry tone. "Oh no you don't! You're staying tied up!"

The trainer slammed the door, scstimg the girls more. Meanwhile, Clair talks to the man who had the girls licked up.

"What you did was not right, father." Clair said angrily. "That young red haired girl fought honorably, and earned the Rising Badge."

"I was told many disturbing things about those girls." The father said.

"Probably from those who want to think of their faults. Father, the Anon-A-Miss incident was over a year ago. And, they made up for those misdeeds grately. Even if they spent six months of detention to help them learn a lesson."

The father soon realized that he made a mistake. He looked at the Poké Balls and other stuff his trainers took away. And soon felt shame.

"And, from what I heard from other gym leaders," Clair continued, "Apple Bloom has developed her skills as a trainer quite well."

"Perhaps you're right, Clair." The father admitted. "I should not have been hasty in my decisions."

"Then, you will let them go, and give miss Bloom her badge?"

"I shall release them and give them their stuff back. But, I have another test for those girls."

Minutes later, the three girls are still in their cell, and still tied up. The door opens and a female trainer comes in.

"Our leader sends his apologies." The girl said. "He realized his mistake as is allowing you your freedom. He also has a challenge to prove that you're worthy of the Rising Badge."

"Well, anything beats being made a prisoner." Apple Bloom replied.

"Excellent. Now, hold still while I untie you three."

Later, the girls are looking at a cave across a small lake. They also have on full length wetsuits. Navy blue for Apple Bloom, teal for Sweetie Belle, and black for Scootaloo. Clair and her father approach the trio.

"In that cave is the Dragon's Den." The father explained. "Somewhere in there is an item called the Dragon Fang. It powers up Dragon moves. Return it here and the Rising Badge."

"All right." Apple Bloom said. "We'll do it."

"Since we have our Pokémon and stuff back," Sweetie Belle said, "let's get to it. Come out, Feraligatr!"

Feraligatr came out and Sweetie Belle turned to her farmer friend. "You and I can ride of Feraligatr's back."

"Good idea." Apple Bloom replied.

Scootaloo was about to bring out Quagsire when Clair stops her. "Hold it, Scootaloo. I have another idea."

Clair brought out her Dragonair, who recovered from the gym battle.

"I get it." Scootaloo said. "I can ride on Dragonair."

Clair nodded. Soon, the girls and the Pokémon ride the water into the cave. Inside the Dragon's Den, the girls look around, and is amazed. Apple Bloom saw a mini version of Kingdra. She decided to study it up with her Pokédex.

Horsea, the Dragon Pokémon and the early form of Kingdra. The Pokédex said. When in danger, it spits up ink to cloud any enemy before escaping.

"Awe, it looks so cute." Sweetie Belle cooed.

Suddenly, Sweetie got sprayed on by a bigger version of Horsea with a longer snout and spikes on it's back.

"Looks like Horsea's evolved form: Seadra." Apple Bloom figured.

Seadra, the Dragon Pokémon and the evolved form of Horsea. Said the Pokédex. It can create a whirlpool by spinning fast.

As the girls continue their travels, a Dratini watches from a distance . Scootaloo sees something on a patch of land. "Hey, I think I see the Dragon Fang."

The group sees a set of sharp fangs. Climbing off Feraligatr, Apple Bloom walks up tomthr item. She picks it up and looks at it.

"This is the Dragon's Fang, all right." Apple Bloom said as she puts it away. "Now, let's go back to Blackthorn City."

The group soon return tomthr cave entrance. The Dratini decided to follow them. Later, the father examines the item.

"It's indeed the Dragon Fang." The man said. "You girls have done well."

The trio feel very humbled. Soon, Clair approached Apple Bloom. "My father sees your dedication as a Pokémon trainer, Apple Bloom. So, you truly earned the Rising Badge."

"Thank you, Clair." Apple Bloom said as she received the badge. "Now, I'm ready for the Johto League."

Then, everybody saw the Dratini come out of the cave. Clair soon really zed something. "I'm think this little one wants to be with you girls."

Scootaloo walked up to the Dratini. "Hey, little fella. Want to be with me?'

Dratini squealed happily as Scootaloo takes out an empty Poké Ball. "Okay, Dratini. Welcome to my family."

Scootaloo tapped Dratini with her Poké Ball and absorbed it. "Now, I have a full belt."

Clair's father soon presented the Dragon Fang to Scootaloo. "Now that you have a dragon type, Miss Scootaloo, you can use the Dragon Fang to power up it's dragon moves."

"Thank you, sir." Scootaloo said in gratitude.

Night soon comes. Slipping out of their wetsuits and putting on sleepwear, the girls got ready for a good night's sleep.

"According to Clair," Apple Bloom said, "the path to the Pokémon League starts in New Bark Town."

"Back to where our journey began." Sweetie Belle added. "I'll bet Professor Elm will be happy to see us."

"You said it, Sweetie Belle. Okay, guys. Bedtime."

Soon, the girls fell asleep. In the morning, they return to New Bark Town.

End of Chapter 32

APPLE BLOOM
Pidgeot
Furret
Ampharos
Hypno
Miltank
Swinub

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Typhlosion
Scyther
Sudowoodo
Poliwhirl

SWEETIE BELLE
Feraligatr
Beedrill
Sunkern
Granbull
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Meganium
Weepinbell
Quagsire
Machoke
Pineco
Dratini