Author's Note

It's time for Apple Bloom's first gym battle.

6. Apple Bloom Earns her Wings

The sun rises to welcome a new day in Violet City. In one of the rooms of the Pokémon Center, Apple Bloom looks out the window, still feeling humbled by the words of the Monk in Bellsprout Tower.

"Yesterday was quite an experience." Apple Bloom said to herself. "If that tour of the Bellsprout Tower doesn't inspire me, nothin' will."

Later, Apple Bloom and her friends head for the Violet City gym.

"Well, here it is." Scootaloo said. "The Violet City Gym. Ready for your first gym battle, AB?"

"I hope I am." Apple Bloom answered. "I have been training my Pokémon after we left the Tower. Let's hope all of that training pays off."

Just then, they see a young black haired man glide down to the ground with a bigger version of Pidgey flying by his side.

"That looks like Pidgey's evolved form." Sweetie Belle said. "A Pidgeotto."

Apple Bloom uses her Pokédex to study this bird. Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokémon and the evolved form of Pidgey. It protects it's territory from any enemies.

The young man folds up his kite and walks up to the girls. "Hello, young friends. I see you're admiring my Pidgeotto."

"Well, as a new Pokémon trainer," Apple Bloom said, "I have to learn about any Pokémon I see."

"Glad to hear that you are devoted to your quest, Apple Bloom."

The farm girl was shocked to be addressed. "You know who I am?"

"Yes I do. The Apple Family are known even here in Johto. I hear that you came to Johto to put your dark past behind."

"I guess that's true." Apple Bloom said sadly.

The young man comforted her. "Don't be upset, my friend. The darkness of Anon-a-Miss is gone. You and your friends are now free from that conspiracy."

The girls were relieved to hear that. The man continued. "Now then, my name is Falkner. I am the gym leader here in Violet City. And, I believe you are here for a Gym Battle."

"That I am, sir." Apple Bloom replied.

"Excellent. Come inside with me."

The girls entered the facility. And, they see an open area with an open dome above the field.

"Look at this place." Sweetie Belle gasped. "This is perfect for flying types."

Apple Bloom and Falkner take their places in the battlefield. A blond hair man in an aviator outfit steps out to act as a referee.

"This shall be a two on two battle, Apple Bloom." Falkner said. "Ladies first."

"Okee Dokee." Apple Bloom replied. "I'll start with Sentret."

"And, I'll start with Pidgey!"

Both Pokémon come out, ready to go. The referee made an announcement. "Let the battle begin!"

Falkner starts things off. "Pidgey, use Tackle!"

Pidgey rushes in to strike at Sentret. Apple Bloom reacts quickly. "Sentret, use Defense Curl!"

Sentret buckes up like a ball. This raises the defense and lessens Pidgey's attack. Falkner is impressed. "Excellent. You learned to raise defense power. Now, let's see you handle this. Pidgey, Gust!"

Pidgey blew powerful winds at Sentret. But, Apple Bloom remained calm. "Let's do this, Sentret. Use Quick Attack!"

Sentret zipped quickly to strike Pidgey. The farm girl followed it up. "Now, use Fury Swipes!"

Sentret gave powerful scratches. Pidgey was weakened enough to faint.

"Pidgey is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Sentret wins."

"Return, Pidgey." Falkner said. "Not bad for a new trainer. You should be proud of yourself."

Apple Bloom blushed. Her friends were impressed with this battle. Falkner made an announcement. "Here's my second Pokémon. Go, Pidgeotto!"

Pidgeotto comes out. Apple Bloom got a bit nervous.

"Don't worry, AB." Scootaloo calls out. "You got this!"

"Thanks, Scoots." Apple Bloom replied as she returns to the battle. "Sentret. Let's use Defense Curl."

But, Falkner was quick to respond. "Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!"

Pidgeotto struck fast and hard. Falkner decided to follow it up. "Now, use Wing Attack!"

Pidgeotto's wings glowed, then it struck Sentret with such strength, Sentret fainted.

"Sentret is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Pidgeotto wins!"

"Sentret, return." Apple Bloom said. "Nice try, Sentret. Get some rest." Apple Bloom then made her next choice. "Let's go, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil came out as the fire on it's back starts to flare up.

"This Pokémon looks too small to stand up to my Pidgeotto." Falkner claimed.

"Never underestimate an opponent." Apple Bloom said.

"We'll see about that. Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack!"

Pidgeotto prepares to strike with it's glowing wings. But, Apple Bloom has a surprise. "Cyndaquil, use Smokescreen!"

Cyndaquil blew a cloud of smoke to blind the majestic bird. Apple Bloom followed it up with another surprise. "Time for that new move, Cyndaquil. Use Flame Wheel!"

The Fire Mouse Pokémon curled up into a flaming ball that rolled up to Pidgeotto. After it got struck, Pidgeotto was hit with intense flames. It soon fainted from the heat.

"Pidgeotto is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Cyndaquil wins. The winner of this gym battle is Apple Bloom!"

"Hooray!" Apple Bloom cheered. "You did it, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil hopped into Apple Bloom's arms. After recalling Pidgeotto, Falkner approached the girls.

"That was a great battle, Apple Bloom." Falkner said. "You are showing your love and respect for Pokémon. With your two friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo by your side, you will go far in this journey." He then pulls out a pin in the shape of white wings. "This is a Zephyr Badge. It's an official gym badge of the Pokémon League. And, you earned it from this battle."

Apple Bloom accepts the badge. She is very happy about it.

"My first badge." Apple Bloom said. "This is a great moment."

"Don't forget." Zephyr reminded. "You need seven more badge to qualify for the Pokémon League here in Johto."

"I won't forget."

As Apple Bloom puts her badge in her case, she and her friends prepare to continue their trip. Meanwhile, in Kanto, Rumble prepares to wrap up his own gym battle.

"Let's wrap this up, Bulbasaur!" Rumble calls out. "Use Vine Whip!"

Bulbasaur extends it's vines to strike at an Onix. Soon, the Rock Snake Pokémon fainted.

"Onix is unable to battle." Forrest announced. "Bulbasaur wins! The winner of this gym battle is Rumble!"

Gym Leader Brock recalls Onix and approached his opponent.

"Very impressive." Brock admitted. "The Confusion attack of Butterfree is very powerful. Between that and Bulbasaur, you fought hard. You truly earned the Boulder Badge."

"Thank you, Brock." Rumble replied.

After receiving the badge, Rumble left the gym to rest in the Pokémon Center. "One down, seven to go."

End of Chapter 6

APPLE BLOOM
Cyndaquil
Pidgey
Sentret

SWEETIE BELLE
Totodile
Weedle

SCOOTALOO
Chikorita
Bellsprout