Author's Note

It's Apple Bloom versus the last member of the Elite Four.

43. Battle 4-Apple Bloom vs. Karen

After her battle with Bruno, Apple Bloom got a little nervous about her last Elite Four battle. So, she stepped outside for some night air. In the distance, she saw a dog like creature with brown fur and what looks like smoke on it's back.

"That's an Entei." Apple Bloom gasped as she takes out her Pokédex.

Entei, the Volcano Pokémon. The Pokédex said. This Pokémon carries magma in it's heart. They say Entei comes from a volcano.

Apple Bloom was shocked when Entei approached her. It senses a kind heart within Apple Bloom, then trots away. Happy to see a legendary Pokemon, she goes back inside to sleep. The next morning, Apple Bloom and her friends are ready to face Karen. She is the last obstacle in Apple Bloom's path to battle the Johto League Champion.

"Okay, Apple Bloom." Karen said. "You need to beat me to face the champion. Are you ready?"

"I sure am." Apple Bloom answered.

"Then, here's my first Pokémon. Umbreon, you're up!"

Umbreon came out and is poised for action. Apple Bloom made her first choice. "Let's go, Miltank!"

Karen was surprised with Apple Bloom's choice. "Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokémon? That's new to me."

"I figured to make my battles more interesting."

"Let's see what your big friend can do. Umbreon, Quick Attack!"

Umbreon zipped fast and struck Miltank. Satisfied, Karen followed it up. "Now, use Assurance!"

Umbreon unleashed black energy. Apple Bloom quickly responded. "Miltank, use Rollout to dodge!"

Miltank tucked into a ball and rolled away from the Assurance. Umbreon was caught off guard when Miltank struck hard. Umbreon hit a wall hard, then fainted. A yoga girl wearing a navy blue tank top and black 3/4 tights stepped in.

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

Apple Bloom cheered for her Pokémon as Karen recalled Umbreon.

"That's an impressive Rollout from Miltank." Karen praised. "But, here comes your next opponent. Vileplume, you're up."

A big purple flower with giant red petals came out. Apple Bloom has it studied.

Vileplume, the Flower Pokémon. Said the Pokédex. Many people are allergic to the pollen Vileplume gives out.

"Return, Miltank." Apple Bloom said. She then makes her next choice. "Let's go, Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot flies majestically. Karen figures to strike first. "Vileplume, use Stun Spore."

Vileplume fires a cloud at Pidgeot, seems to effect it greatly. Karen was happy. "Okay, use Petal Dance."

As Vileplume fires a bunch of petals, Apple Bloom got worried. "Pidgeot, they to break through the paralysis and use Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot soon sped out with it's wings glowing. It soon struck Vileplume. Apple Bloom hoped to follow it up. "Okay, try using Air Slash!"

Pidgeot flapped it's wings, sending energy to strike at Vileplume. The Flower Pokémon soon fainted.

"Vileplume is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Pidgeot wins!"

"Vileplume, return." Karen said. "I'm very pleased, young Apple. Your Pokémon trust you greatly."

"Thank you, Ma'am." Apple Bloom replied.

"Here's your third opponent. Gengar, you're up!"

When Gengar came out, Sweetie Belle got a little nervous.

"You don't want me to tie you up again." Scootaloo said. "Do you?"

"Don't worry about me." Sweetie Belle replied. "I'm just surprised at the appearance of this Gengar."

"We better fly above that ghost." Apple Bloom said. "Pidgeot, use Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeot tried to fly. But, the Stun Spore from Vileplume kicked in.

"Oh no!" Apple Bloom gasped.

"Oh yes!" Karen replied. "Gengar, use Night Shade!"

Gengar unleashed black energy at the paralyzed Pidgeot. The majestic bird soon fainted.

"Pidgeot is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Gengar wins!"

"Return, Pidgeot." Apple Bloom said sadly. "You did good. Just rest."

Apple Bloom looked at Gengar with interest. She then has an idea. "Time to chill you out, Gengar. Let's go, Piloswine!"

Piloswine came out, and Karen was shocked. "A Piloswine?"

"Yup." Apple Bloom answered. "I'm gonna cool off your hot streak."

"We'll see about that. Gengar, use Dark Pulse!"

As Gengar sent rings of dark energy, Apple Bloom made a move. "Piloswine, use Powder Snow!"

Piloswine blew a strong snowstorm at Gengar. As the Shadow Pokémon recovers, Apple Bloom makes her next move. "Here's a surprise. Piloswine, use Earthquake!"

Piloswine made the ground shake towards Gengar. The gost type was so shaken up, it fainted.

"Gengar is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Piloswine wins!"

Karen recalled Gengar and got out another Poké Ball. "Hope you still have your Pokédex. You'll need it to learn about my fourth Pokémon. Murkrow, you're up."

A big black bird came out. By instinct, Apple Bloom studied this Pokémon with her Pokédex. Murkrow, the Darkness Pokémon. They fly around at night looking for sparkly things.

"I'm sticking with my Piloswine." Apple Bloom stated.

"Suit yourself." Karen replied. "Murkrow, use Haze!"

Murkrow blew a black mist in hopes to blind Piloswine. Karen makes her next move. "Now, use Wing Attack!"

The black bird zipped at Piloswine with it's wings glowing. Apple Bloom tried something desperate. "Piloswine, use Ice Fang!"

Through the must, a sound can be heard. When the must cleared, everybody saw that Piloswine bit Murkrow with a mouth full of ice. The ice made Murkrow faint.

"Murkrow is unable to battle." The yoga girl announced. "Piloswine wins!"

Apple Bloom cheered as she hugs her Piloswine. Karen recalls Murkrow and prepares her next choice. "Time to bring out my last Pokémon. Try and stop this. Houndoom, you're up!"

A Houndoom comes out and growls meanly. Apple Bloom remembers that Houndoom is partially a fire type. She recalls Piloswine and gets out another Pokémon. "Let's go, Sudowoodo!"

As Sudowoodo comes out, her friends are confident with their friend's choice.

"What can that Pokémon do?" Karen asked, not sure about Apple Bloom's choice.

"You'll see." Apple Bloom replied.

"Houndoom, use Fire Fang!"

With a mouth full of fire, Houndoom rushed in and clamos on Sudowoodo. Apple Bloom looks with concern. "Shake it off, Sudowoodo, with Low Kick!"

Sudowoodo gaveba quick kick to the freaky fire dog. Houndoom was thrusted back as Apple Bloom made her next move. "Okay, Sudowoodo. Use Rock Slide!"

Getting relief from the Fire Fang, Sudowoodo sent a bunch of rocks to hit Houndoom. The Dark Pokémon slowly fainted.

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

"We did it!" Apple Bloom said as she hugged her Sudowoodo. "All of the Elite Four is defeated!"

"Yes. You beat all four of us." Karen added as she recalled Houndoom. "Now, you are qualified to face the Johto Region Champion. He'll be waiting for you at a peaceful village near here."

"I take it there's a stadium at this village." Apple Bloom said.

"That's right. First, you and your friends and Pokémon will need to rest. You can head for your final location in the morning."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders realized that Karen has a point. Apple Bloom need all the rest she needs if she's to battle the Johto Region Champion.

End of Chapter 43