Author's Note

In this chapter, Scootaloo will soon have a Pokémon friend of her own.

4. Scootaloo Finds a Friend

The Cutie Mark Crusaders made their way through Route 29 and arrived at Cherrygrove City. Inside the Pokémon Center, Apple Bloom waits for her Pokémon to be healed. Scootaloo watches as Sweetie Belle plays with her Totodile.

"I wish I had a Pokémon." Scootaloo said. "It must be fun to be a Pokémon trainer."

"I'm sure it is." Sweetie Belle replied. "Having fun with Pokémon is a good way to build up one's confidence in itself. Right, Totodile?"

Totodile jumps up and down happily. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom returns to her friends.

"Well, guys." Apple Bloom said. "Cyndaquil, Pidgey, and Sentret are all healed."

"That's great." Scootaloo added. "You'll be ready for this region's Gym Challenge. Now, where to find the first gym?"

Soon, they were approached by a light magenta skinned woman with wavy deep magenta hair. She wore a sky blue T shirt and blue jeans with white sneakers.

"Hello, girls." The woman greeted. "It's good to see you again."

Apple Bloom was shocked to see this woman. "Ms Cherrilee! What are you doin' here?"

"I heard that you're on a Pokémon journey here in Johto. I figured to check on you so nothing bad happens to you."

The girls noticed a green insect on her shoulder. Apple Bloom uses her Pokédex to study this insect.

Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It releases a stink from it's antenna to fight off enemies.

"Aww." Sweetie Belle cooed. "That Caterpie looks so cute."

"This little Caterpie came to me while I was traveling." Cheerilee explained. "This little bug is indeed cute. I'm planning to travel through Routes 30 and 31. Would you like to come with me?"

"Sounds good to me." Apple Bloom replied. "How about you guys?"

"Good idea." Sweetie Belle said.

"Yeah." Scootaloo shouted. "We need to head that way anyhow."

Soon, Cheerilee lead the girls through a forest on Route 30. She then explains the Gym Challenge to Apple Bloom. "Your first stop in this quest is Violet City. It's right after Route 31. The Gym Leader there specializes in Flying types."

"Fire moves do well against Flying types." Apple Bloom figured. "Cyndaquil will really help me out."

"Do you have any other Pokémon to help you, Apple Bloom?"

"Oh yes. I also have Pidgey and Sentret."

"How about you girls. You found any Pokémon friends of your own?"

"I have a Totodile." Sweetie Belle answered.

"I don't have one." Scootaloo said sadly.

Soon, the girls see a yellowish green creature with a leaf on it's head. It's just resting under the warm sun.

"That's a Chikorita." Cheerilee said. "The Leaf Pokémon."

Apple Bloom takes out her Pokédex. "So, that's a Chikorita, huh?"

Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. Said the Pokédex. When it waves it's leaf, a gentle aroma is smelt.

"That sounds so cool." Scootaloo said happily. "I wonder if this Chikorita belongs to somebody, though."

An old man in overalls came along. "Nope. That's a wild Chikorita. In fact, I know this particular one. He like to lounge about and feel the warmth of the sun."

"Have you thought about have this Chikorita for your own?" Cheerilee asked.

"It's tempting. But, I live in an area where flying types are plentiful. Poor Chikorita would be scared to death. Farewell."

As the old man leaves, the girls look at Chikorita with Scootaloo pondering if she can catch it. Just then, Chikorita woke up to the sound of strange critters. It turned out to be a bunch of marigold colored bugs, each with a red nose and a stinger on it's head.

"Oh no!" Sweetie Belle gasped. "Those are Weedle!"

Apple Bloom's Pokédex comes alive. Weedle, the Hairy Big Pokémon. Their bright colors are used as a warning. They strike hard with the stinger on it's head.

The Weedle looked at Chikorita angrily. The grass Pokémon extended vines to hold them back.

"Chikorita is trying to hold them off with Vine Whip." Cheerilee noticed.

Suddenly, Weedle fired needles at Chikorita. Scootaloo raced to the scene, grabbed Chikorita, and tumbled on the ground.

"WOW!" Sweetie gasped. "Scoots just save Chikorita from that Poison Sting attack!"

Scootaloo stood up to check on the little critter. "Are you okay, Chikorita?"

Chikorita looked at Scootaloo. Then, nuzzled her. This told her that it's okay. This filled Scootaloo with warmth. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom and Sweetie called their Pokémon to deal with the Pokémon.

"Cyndaquil, use Ember!" Apple Bloom called out.

"Totodile, use Water Gun!" Sweetie added.

The two Pokémon used their attacks to send the Weedle away.

"Good work, you two." Cheerilee cheered. "That's the last of those Weedle."

"Hey! There's still one left." Apple Bloom noticed.

Seeing the Weedle, Sweetie Belle took an empty Poké Ball and threw it at the bug. When the Poké Ball captured the Weedle, Scootaloo was confused. "I thought you don't like bugs."

"Maybe not." Sweetie replied. "But, I see some promise with this Weedle. With a little care and training, this Pokémon might be benificial for me."

Scootaloo then felt something rubbing her leg. It turned out to be the Chikorita she saved from the Weedle.

"I think that Chikorita wants to go with you, Scootaloo." Cheerilee said.

"Is that true, Chikorita?" Scootaloo asked. "You want to come with me?"

Chikorita nodded yes. Proudly, Scootaloo picked up her new friend. "Now, I have a Pokémon friend."

"Way to go, Scoots!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Well, girls." Cheerilee said. "Me and my Caterpie are on our way. Maybe we'll meet again. Bye."

"Good bye, Miss Cheerilee." Apple Bloom said happily.

The girls soon continued their journey. Taking advice from Ms Cherrilee, they head for Violet City for Apple Bloom's first gym battle. Meanwhile, in Kanto, Rumble made his way out of Viridian Forest and sees his destination.

"There's Pewter City." Rumble cheered. "Going through that forest and battling those trainers was worth it."

He soon made his way to the Pokémon to have his Pokémon healed. "Look out, Gym Leader Brock. I'm going to rock your world!"

End of Chapter 4

APPLE BLOOM
Cyndaquil
Pidgey
Sentret

SWEETIE BELLE
Totodile
Weedle

SCOOTALOO
Chikorita