Author's Note

Visitors from Canterlot arrive to educate Apple Bloom about her opponents in the Johto League.

36. Visit from the Sisters

On the outskirts of New Bark Town, two elegant women look at the building that is Professor Elm's Lab. They are Celestia and Luna, leaders of Canterlot High School.

"So, this is where Apple Bloom and her friends are." Luna said.

"That's right." Celestia answered. "Apple Bloom and her friends traveled all over Johto to redeem themselves. Apple Bloom earned all eight official gym badges. Now, she's training for the Johto League."

"That's why we gathered information on Johto's Elite Four. So that miss Bloom will know what's in store for her."

"Right. Let's go."

Meanwhile, in another area of the lab, the three girls were training spending time with their Pokémon. Scootaloo was in the water with her Dratini. Soon, a vicious Tentacool sneaked up and hit Dratini with Water Gun. Scootaloo didn't like that. "Hey, Tentacool. That wasn't nice!"

Tentacool just mocked Scootaloo. Dratini rushed in using Dragon Rush, and knocked Tentacool away. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom went over to check on the situation.

"Everything okay, Scoots?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yeah." Scootaloo replied. "Just dealing with a pesky Tentacool."

Seeing this blue water creature with tentacles, Apple Bloom pulls out her Pokédex. "So, that's a Tentacool, huh?"

Tentacool, the Jellyfish Pokémon. The Pokédex said. While it is vicious with it's poison tentacles, it needs to be wet to stay healthy.

At that moment, Dratini started to evolve. Seconds later, a Dragonair stood where Dratini was.

"All right!" Scootaloo cheered. "Now, I have my own Dragonair!"

"Impressive evolution." Said a female voice.

The girls soon saw Celestia and Luna standing in front of them.

"Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna?" Apple Bloom gasped. "What are doing here?"

"We're here to see you." Celestia answered. "We thought we can help you in your journey."

"Since you have eight gym badges," Luna continued, "you'll need to know who you'll be facing in the Johto League."

After getting out of the water and recalling Dragonair, Scootaloo had a thought. "Vice Principal Luna has a point, AB. You'll probably need all the help you can get."

Apple Bloom realized that Scootaloo could be right. Inside the building, the girls are shown pictures I f who Apple Bloom will be facing. First picture is of a young man wearing a crimson outfit and a mask.

"This young man is Will." Celestia explained. "He specializes in Psychic types. No doubt trained by Sabrina from Kanto."

"Man. He looks tough." Scootaloo noticed.

The girls then looked at a ninja with black raggedy hair.

"This is Koga." Luna said. "Once the gym leader of Fuschia City. Now, he's been promoted to this group."

"If Koga is part of the Johto Elite Four," Apple Bloom wondered, "who's in charge of the Fuschia City gym?"

"A young protoge named Janine. She's excellent with poison types. Just like Koga."

"Diamond Tiara told us about Koga." Sweetie Belle said. "This poison ninja could be tough competition."

The girls soon saw a muscular man with ripped Karate pants.

"Next, us Bruno." Celestia said. "A well known figure in Kanto's Elite Four. Now, he's part of the Elite Four here."

"I hear Bruno specializes in Fighting types." Apple Bloom said. "I think my Pidgeot and Hypno can handle this."

"Don't forget." Celestia informed. "These elite Pokémon trainers have ways to cover their Pokémon's weaknesses."

The last picture is of a woman with sky blue hair and wearing a a light teal shirt and long dark blue skirt.

"Last, but not least," Luna said, "this is Karen. She specializes in Dark Types."

After the picture show ended, Apple Bloom us letting all of this sinking in. Later, the girls showed the visitors their Pokémon. They were very impressed.

"Good work on how you raised your Pokémon, Apple Bloom." Celestia praised. "And to think, you started with a Cyndaquil."

Apple Bloom blushed. Luna turned to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "You two did pretty good too. Starting off with Totodile and Chikorita."

"We actually found those Pokémon." Sweetie explained. "After some wild adventures, they came to us."

"Yup." Scootaloo added as she pets her Meganium. "They've been good to us ever since."

Suddenly, Apple Bloom saw her Poliwhirl walk up to them, wearing a crown shaped rock on its head.

"Where did you find that, Poliwhirl?" Apple Bloom asked.

Poliwhirl did some hand gestures to explain his actions.

"Poliwhirl found that Rock at the area near where I was swimming?" Scootaloo said. "I never noticed any items like that."

Luna realized something. "That's a King's Rock!"

Suddenly, Poliwhirl started to glow. Apple Bloom figured out something. "That King's Rock is evolving Poliwhirl!"

After a few seconds, Poliwhirl evolved into a green frog like creature. Apple Bloom giggled as she pulls out her Pokédex. "Looks like I now have a Politoed, the Frog Pokémon."

Politoed, the Frog Pokémon and an evolved form of Poliwhirl. Said the Pokédex. This Pokémon claps happily to cheer on its friends.

"I just witnessed a branch evolution ." Celestia said.

"Branch Evolution ?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

"Yes, Sweetie Belle. Some Pokémon have many evolved forms. Poliwhirl evolves into Poliwrath courtesy of the Water Stone. But, it also evolves into a Politoed, as you see."

"I get it. Just like how Gloom evolves into either a Vileplume or Bellossom."

"That's correct."

Politoed claps happily as Apple Bloom cuddles it. "Congratulations, Politoed. This will be a great help against the Elite Four."

Soon, Celestia and Luna left the lab to return to Canterlot. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom was talking to Diamond Tiara on the Vidphone.

"What?" Apple Bloom gasped. "Rumble is in Kanto?"

"You heard right." Diamond Tiara replied. "He now has eight gym badges. That means he's qualified to tackle the Kanto Region Champion: me."

"If Rumble can defeat those Gym leaders, he'll be tough competition."

"I know. Fortunately, when I face him, Silver and Babs will help support me. Anyway, good luck against the Johto League."

"Good luck to you battling Rumble. Bye."

As the conversation ended, Apple Bloom knows one thing. Both her and Diamond Tiara are in for some tough competition.

End of Chapter 36