Author's Note

Next on the roster, Apple Bloom faces Koga. The next obstacle in her path to facing the Johto Region Champion.

41. Battle 2-Apple Bloom vs. Koga

After winning her first battle, Apple Bloom healed up her Pokémon. Then, she and her companions went to sleep. The next morning, they woke up to s puff of black smoke. Then, a powerful ninja appeared.

"What the heck?" Scootaloo gasped.

"Greetings, Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The ninja greeted. "I have been waiting to meet you."

Apple Bloom realized who this ninja is. "Hoo-Wee! Koga! The mighty ninja of Fuschia City."

"Now, representative of Johto's Elite Four. I have heard so much about you."

"From our friends, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, I'll bet." Sweetie Belle said.

"That is correct." Koga then turned to the farmer kid. "Apple Bloom, you have defeated Will. So, I shall be your next opponent. Prepare yourself and your Pokémon!"

Koga left, leaving the girls weary. Later, the girls arrived at Koga's chamber.

"Shoes off, girls." Apple Bloom said. "We must respect these customs."

"Good call, AB." Scootaloo said.

After the girls removed their footwear, they entered the chamber. Koga was waiting for them with a barefoot red haired girl in a black karate gi acted as a referee.

Like in your battle against Will, this will be a five on five battle." Koga informed. "Here's your first opponent. Go, Ariados!"

A giant red spider came out, urging Apple Bloom to study it with her Pokédex. Ariados, the Long Leg Pokémon and the evolved form of Spinarak. Shooting a strong fabric from both ends of it's battle, Ariados creates a powerful web.

Apple Bloom made her first choice. "Let's go, Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot came out with it's wings stretched out. Koga struck first. "Ariados, use String Shot!"

Ariados shot it's webbing to ensnare Pidgeot. Apple Bloom got scared when Koga made his next move. "Now, Ariados. Use Cross Poison!"

Pidgeot soon got hit with a 'X' full of poison energy. Apple Bloom struck back. "Pidgeot, use Roost to restore your energy."

Pidgeot soon recovered a little. Apple Bloom then made her next move. "Now, Use Air Slash!"

Pidgeot flapped it's wings and sent Ariados to hit a wall, causing it to faint.

"Ariados is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Pidgeot wins!"

"Ariados, return." Koga said. He then made his next choice. "If you think Ariados is a powerful insect, try battling this one. Go, Venomoth."

A large purple moth came out. Sweetie Belle got concerned. "A Venomoth!"

Venomoth, the Poison Moth Pokémon. The Pokédex said. These Pokémon are very active at night.

"Let's do this, Pidgeot." Apple Bloom said. "Use Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot's wings glowed. But, Koga counterattacked. "Venomoth, use Psybeam!"

Venomoth fired a beam of Psychic energy at Pidgeot, who was exhausted from battling Ariados. Soon, the majestic bird fainted.

"Pidgeot is unable to Battle." The karate girl announced. "Venomoth wins."

Pidgeot, return." Apple Bloom said sadly. "You did good, Pidgeot. Just get some rest." She then unleashed a surprise. "Let's go, Scizor!"

Out came a red insect with giant red claws. Sweetie Belle got shocked. "What's that?"

"I remember the entry Apple Bloom made for this one." Scootaloo answered. "Scizor, the Pincer Pokémon and the evolved form of Scyther. Scizor releases heat occasionally to keep from melting."

Koga looks at it with interest. "A Scizor. Interesting choice."

"With the speed Scizor has," Apple Bloom informed, "Venomoth doesn't stand a chance."

"Let's test that theory. Venomoth, use Bug Buzz!"

Buzzing loudly, Venomoth hopes to strike Scizor. But, the red insect was moving too fast.

"Scizor, use Iron Head!" Apple Bloom called out.

Moving at super fast speed, Scizor used it's head to ram Venomoth. The impact caused Venomoth to get dizzy, then faint."

"Venomoth is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Scizor wins!"

Apple Bloom and Scizor fist bumped each other as Koga recalled Venomoth.

"I feel this Scizor is a formidable opponent." Koga said. "Well done, miss Bloom."

Apple Bloom bowed politely. Koga then makes his next choice. "Here is my third Pokémon. Go, Forretress."

After seeing Forretress coming out, Apple Bloom has an idea.

"Scizor, return." Apple Bloom said as she makes her next choice. "Let's go, Typhlosion!"

The moment Typhlosion comes out, Koga attacks. "Forretress, Rapid Spin!"

Spinning fast, Forretress hits Typhlosion. Koga decides to follow it up. "Now, use Gyro Ball!"

Glowing, Forretress glowed and unleashed an attack.

"Typhlosion, use Flamethrower!" Apple Bloom called out.

The Volcano blew a powerful fire on Forretress. Being a big and steel type, Forretress quickly fainted.

"Forretress is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Typhlosion wins!"

"Forretress, return." Koga said. "You have fought valiantly. Now, rest." He then turns to Apple Bloom. "Fire was a good choice, my friend. But, my fourth Pokémon can take the heat. Go, Muk!"

A gray blob of slime comes out. Apple Bloom's Pokédex gave her some scary information. Muk, the Sludge Pokémon. It has a vicious smell.

This scares Apple Bloom as Koga strikes first. "Muk, use Sludge Bomb!"

Muk fired blobs of poison. But, Apple Bloom quickly responded. "Typhlosion, use Flamethrower!"

Typhlosion's flames burned out the poison. Apple Bloom followed it up. "Now, use Flame Wheel!"

Curling up into a flaming ball, Typhlosion sped up to attack. But, just as it struck Muk, Koga reacted. "Now, Muk. Use Body Slam!"

Muk landed on Typhlosion, smothering it with it's body. Seconds later, Muk stood up as Typhlosion fainted from the poison.

"Typhlosion is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Muk wins!"

As Typhlosion is being recalled, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were getting worried.

"Typhlosion was her best shot." Sweetie Belle said nervously.

"Maybe my best shot." Apple Bloom replied. "But, not my last. Let's go, Hypno!"

Hypno came out ready for action. Koga hit first. "Muk, use Sludge!"

Muk unleashes poisonous Sludge. Apple Bloom hits back. "Hypno, use Psybeam!"

Hypno fires it psychic energy to dissolve the Sludge and hits Muk hard. After the heat from Typhlosion, Muk succumbed to the psychic power and fainted.

"Muk is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Hypno wins!"

Koga recalls Muk and sses that Apple Bloom is dedicated to her Pokémon training.

"Not many trainers get this far." Koga said proudly. "You are very exceptional."

"Thank you, Koga." Apple Bloom replied.

"It is time for you to gave my last Pokémon: Crobat!"

A four winged bat came out. Apple Bloom soon got out her Pokédex.

Crobat, the Bat Pokémon and the evolved form of Golbat. Said the Pokédex. It's hind legs become wings, allowing it to fly faster.

Apple Bloom recalled Hypno and hot out her next Pokémon. "Let's go, Sudowoodo!"

The Mimic Pokémon came out and is ready. Koga struck first. "Crobat, use Venoshock!"

Crobat unleashed a green stream of poison. Being a rock type Sudowoodo wasn't hit hard. But, Koga is not giving up. "Crobat, use Poison Fang!"

With it's mouth glowing purple, Crobat charged at it's opponent. But, Apple Bloom fights bat. "Sudowoodo, use Rock Slide!"

Sudowoodo unleashed a pile of rocks that hit Crobat. Soon, the Bat Pokémon fainted.

"Crobat is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Sudowoodo wins! The winner of this battle is Apple Bloom!"

"Woo-hoo!" Apple Bloom cheered. "Good work, Sudowoodo!"

Apple Bloom and Sudowoodo hugged each other. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined the victory as well. After recalling Crobat, Koga watches with admiration.

"You fought well, Apple Bloom." Koga said to himself. "Reminds me of my battle with Diamond Tiara. But, you have two more opponents to beat before facing the Johto Region Champion."

End of Chapter 41