Author's Note

The plucky farm girl begins her battles with the Elite Four.

40. Battle 1-Apple Bloom vs. Will

The sun is rising in the headquarters of the Elite Four of Johto. Apple Bloom and her friends were in the cafeteria area having breakfast and discussing a strategy.

"With all of the information we have on these trainers," Apple Bloom said, "beating them should not be so bad."

"Don't forget, trainers always have ways to cover their Pokémon's weaknesses." Sweetie Belle informed.

At that moment, a person came to join the conversation. It was Will of the Elite Four.

"Good morning, Apple Bloom." Will greeted.

"Ya recognize me?" Apple Bloom gasped.

"Yes, I do. Your hair and bow are sort of a trademark."

This made the farm girl blush as Will continues his conversation. "I'm your first opponent. Once you finish your meal, come to my chamber for a big five on five battle."

Will leaves to prepare for battle. Scootaloo looks around the room with concern. "Good thing this place has a recharge station. AB can use a chance to heal her Pokémon after this."

Later, the girls are in a room where it looks like a yoga studio. The girls feel at ease as Apple Bloom faces her opponent.

"My first Pokémon is Natu!" Will announced.

Out pops a small round green bird with a straight feather on its head. Apple Bloom studies this bird with her Pokédex. Natu, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. It's small wings aren't developed enough for flight. But, it can jump high.

The farm girl soon chose her first Pokémon. "Let's go, Piloswine!"

Will saw Piloswine, and was intrigued. "An ice type, huh? Natu, use Ominous Wind!"

Natu blew a dark wind at Piloswine. This got Apple Bloom worried.

"Time to make sure you don't strike back." Will said. "Natu, use Confuse Ray."

Natu's eyes glowed. Apple Bloom hope to fight back. "Piloswine, use Icy Wind!"

Piloswine resisted the power of Confuse Ray to blow an arctic wind. The cold was enough to defeat Natu.

"Natu is unable to battle." A yoga girl announced. "Piloswine wins."

"Natu, return." Will said. He then turned to his opponent. "That cold snap was a big shock to me."

"Thank you, sir." Apple Bloom replied.

"Let's see if I can defrost your icy power. Go, Exeggutor!"

Out popped a walking tree with many faces. Apple Bloom checked it out.

Exeggutor, the Coconut Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It's three heads can work together to generate psychic energy.

Seeing her Piloswine still woozy from Confuse Ray, Apple Bloom recalled her icy friend and called her next choice. "Let's go, Scyther!"

Scyther sprang into action.

"It's been awhile since Scyther came along." Scootaloo said.

"I'm not scared of bugs." Will boasted. "Exeggutor, use Psychic."

Exeggutor fired psychic energy to strike Scyther. Apple Bloom reacted quickly. "Dodge, then use Wing Attack!"

After avoiding the psychic attack, Scyther's wings glowed as it hits Exeggutor.

"That Scyther is fast, all right." Will said. "Let's see it dodge this. Exeggutor, use your Egg Bomb attack!"

Exeggutor fired it's egg projectiles. But, Scyther was so fast, none of them connected.

"Now, use Air Slash!" Apple Bloom called out.

Scyther gaves powerful slashes to Exeggutor. The Coconut Pokémon soon fainted.

"Exeggutor is unable to Battle." The yoga girl announced. "Scyther wins!"

Apple Bloom cheers for Scyther as Winner recalls his Exeggutor. He gets out his next Pokémon. "Here comes number three! Go, Slowbro!"

A pink hippo with a shell clamped on it's tail came out. Apple Bloom pulled out her Pokédex. "That looks like Slowpoke's evolved form."

Slowbro, the Hermit Crab Pokémon." Said the Pokédex. It looks like it's staring into space. It's thanks to the Shellder biting on it's tail.

Getting an idea, Apple Bloom recalled her Scyther to bring out her next choice. "Miltank, let's go."

Miltank comes out. Apple Bloom makes the first move. "Miltank, use Zen Headbutt!"

Rushing to battle, Miltank ducked it's head. But, Will has a trick up his sleeve. "Slowbro, push Miltank back with your Water Pulse!"

Slowbro pushed Miltank back a bit. Will followed it up. "Now, use Psychic!"

As Slowbro readied it's psychic energy, Apple Bloom struck quickly. "Miltank, use Rollout!"

Tucking into a ball, Miltank charged into a ball and rammed into Slowbro. This causes the Hermit Crab Pokémon to faint.

"Slowbro is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Miltank wins."

After recalling Slowbro, Will looked at Apple Bloom with interest. Then, he made his next choice. "Piloswine was impressive as an ice type. Time to bring out my own chilly ally. Go, Jynx!"

Out popped a figure that looks like a woman with blond hair and a red dress.

"That's a Jynx." Sweetie Belle gasped as Apple Bloom gets out her Pokédex. "The Human Shape Pokémon."

Jynx, the Human Shape Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It's hip swaying is a constant sight in the Alolan Region.

Apple Bloom recalled Miltank and sent for her next Pokémon. "You're up, Typhlosion!"

Just as Typhlosion came out, Will made his first move. "Jynx, use Blizzard!"

Jynx created a snowstorm appear, and pushed Typhlosion back. Then, Will struck again. "Now, Jynx. Double Slap!"

Jynx slapped Typhlosion fast and hard. Apple Bloom made her move. "Typhlosion, Flamethrower!"

Typhlosion blew fire on Jynx's face. As she recovered, Apple Bloom makes her next move. "Okay, Typhlosion. Use Flame Wheel."

The Volcano Pokémon tucked into a flaming ball and rammed into Jynx. The flames caused the Human Shape Pokémon to faint.

"Jynx is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Typhlosion wins!"

Apple Bloom happily hugged her fiery friend as Will recalls Jynx.

"Apple Bloom is on a roll." Sweetie Belle said happily. "And, she didn't lose one Pokémon."

Will took about another Pokémon. "You used a good variety of Pokémon, Apple Bloom. So, what do you have for this. Here's my fifth and last Pokémon: Xatu!"

Out came a bird like creature that looks like a jungle native with two red feathers on its head and wide wings.

"Natu's evolved form: Xatu." Apple Bloom said as she takes out her Pokédex. "The Mystic Pokémon."

Xatu, the Mystic Pokémon and the evolved form of Natu. The Pokédex said. It's been known to see into the future. That's why it doesn't move so much.

"You want to know how I can handle this." Apple Bloom said as she recalls Typhlosion. "Here's your answer. Go, Ampharos!"

Ampharos comes out, sparking with energy. Apple Bloom strikes first. "Ampharos, use Discharge!"

As Ampharos charged up, Will countered. "Xatu, use Confuse Ray to send that lightning back."

Xatu used it's power to send the electricity at Ampharos. Will followed it up. "While Ampharos is recovering, use Night Shade!"

Xatu fired a blast of black energy, after recovering, Ampharos saw the energy and avoided it.

"Okay, Ampharos." Apple Bloom called out. "Use Thunder Punch!"

Ampharos energized one of it's fist, and quickly whacked Xatu. The electricity caused the Mystic Pokémon to faint.

"Xatu is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Ampharos wins! The winner of this battle is Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom cheered for her Pokémon as her friends joined her in the celebration. After recalling Xatu, Will looks at the group.

"That was a well thought battle." Will said proudly. "Your trust in your Pokémon was grand. Especially with a variety of Pokémon by your side."

"Thank you, Will." Apple Bloom replied.

"Just know this. You still have three more of us to face before you meet the champion." He takes out a metal disc. "Here's a present for your Scyther. It's called a Metal Coat."

As Apple Bloom takes the item, she realized that Will is right. She still has a ways to go before meeting the Johto Region Champion.

End of Chapter 40