Author's Note

As Apple Bloom continues her travels, Applejack still won't have faith in her.

7. Setting off for Azalea

In Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh studies a map on his cork board. Granny Smith comes in to check on him.

"Whatcha doin', Big Mac?" Granny Smith asked.

"As you know, Granny," Big Mac explains, "I sent Apple Bloom and her friends to the Johto region."

"Oh yeah. You sent AB on a quest to prove that she's no longer as vicious as Applejack thinks she is."

"Eeyup. She's on a journey in Johto as a Pokémon trainer."

Applejack comes in, hearing the conversation. "Apple Bloom? A Pokémon trainer? Is she really looking for dirt to revive Anon-a-Miss?"

"Nope." Big Mac replied. "In fact, she won her first official Gym badge of the Pokémon League."

Big Mac puts a small sticky note with a number 1 on it on his map. "This tells that Apple Bloom won a gym battle in Violet City."

No wonder I haven't heard anything from my friends in Johto. Applejack thought. She'll still need seven badge to qualify for the Pokémon League though.

Applejack leaves the room, and heads for her own bedroom. After taking of her boots, she laid down on her bed. She still has doubts about this whole thing. "That kid's journey won't last. She'll probably pull an Anon-a-Miss prank. Then, I'll zip over to Johto to take her and her accomplices back home!"

Needless to say, Applejack still doesn't trust her sister. Meanwhile, in Johto, Apple Bloom is on the videphone, talking to Diamond Tiara.

"You got your first gym badge?" Diamond gasped. "That's amazing."

"I reckon it is." Apple Bloom replied. "So, how's life treating the Kanto Region Champion?"

"My life has gotten better. Everyone is pleased with how me and my friends accomplished so much in Kanto." Eevee then came along to be with Diamond. "And, me and Eevee are becoming very loved."

Apple Bloom couldn't help but feel the love between Diamond and Eevee.

"I better get going, Apple Bloom." Diamond said. "Mom is taking me to yoga class. Good bye and good luck."

After Diamond hung up, Apple Bloom went over to her two friends at another table. Scootaloo looks at a map on a tablet she brought.

"According to this map," Scootaloo said, "our next stop in this gym challenge is Azalea Town."

"I heard of Azalea Town." Sweetie Belle added. "The gym leader there specializes in Bug Pokémon. Rarity would have a heart attack there."

Everybody chuckled knowing that Sweetie is right. Soon, the girls leave Violet City to continue their travels. The noble trio make their way through Route 32. They soon saw a sheep with yellow wool. Apple Bloom took out her Pokédex to study this sheep.

Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Said the Pokédex.People are careful when petting this Pokémon. It's wool could be full of electricity.

Apple thought about this critter, and made a decision. "I can use an electric type. Let's go, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil comes out. Mareep charges up. Apple Bloom strokes quickly. "Cyndaquil, use Smokescreen!"

Cyndaquil blew smoke to blind Mareep. Suddenly, Cyndaquil rolled up in a ball and sped up like a fireball. It struck Mareep hard. Seeing this opportunity, Apple Bloom grabbed a Poké Ball and attempted to catch this Pokémon. "Poké Ball, GO!"

The Poké Ball connected to Mareep, and absorbed it. After a few shakes, the Poké Ball clicked.

"I captured a Mareep!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Awesome!" Scootaloo added. "I wish I had a Pokémon that cool."

"Don't worry, Scoots. I'm sure y'all capture another Pokémon. Besides, you do have two."

"True. Chikorita and Bellsprout are getting along." Scootaloo then turned to Sweetie Belle. "Hey, how are Totodile and Weedle doing?"

"They're doing fine." Sweetie replied. "Weedle is starting to feel bad for picking on Chikorita."

Apple Bloom notices something in the sky. "Time to pitch our tents you guys. It'll be night soon."

The trio set up their tents as the sun goes down. Later that night, the stars were shining as the full moon glowed. Apple Bloom sat next to a tree with her sneakers put aside. Sweetie Belle joined her.

"Enjoying the night before bedtime?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I guess so." Apple Bloom sadly said. "I don't understand why Applejack lashed out on us. That Anon-a-Miss incident was months ago. Yet, she wanted to only think of it."

As Apple Bloom started to cry, Sweetie Belle gave her a gentle hug. "Please, don't cry. She got to me and Scootaloo too. That's why the three of us are here in Johto. We'll prove your sister that Anon-a-Miss is dead and buried."

The farm girl wipe the tears from her eyes, feeling a bit better. "Thanks for the pep talk, Sweetie Belle. I needed it."

This made Sweetie Belle smile. Suddenly, they heard a sound coming from Scootaloo's tent. Scootaloo was in a state of shock.

"I turned my back for a moment." Scootaloo said. "Then, I heard the sound of a Poké Ball clicking."

They look in the tent. Scootaloo's Poké Balls were scattered. One of them was bigger than the others.

"I think a Pokémon crawled in and caught itself." Apple Bloom figured.

Picking up the Poké Ball, Scootaloo was curious. "If that's true, let's see who it is."

Scootaloo tossed the ball in the air. It opened, and revealed a sky blue creature with a flat tail.

"That's a Wooper." Sweetie Belle realized. "The Water Fish Pokémon."

Apple Bloom's Pokédex comes alive with info. Wooper, the Water Fish Pokémon. It coats itself with a sticky film for protection. This film is poisonous to the touch.

Scootaloo was surprised to see this Pokémon. "Wow. Now, I have a water and ground type."

"How's that again?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Even though Wooper is a water type, it has traits of Ground types. So, it won't be affected by electric attacks."

"Well, that is a lucky catch indeed."

Morning came. And, Apple Bloom and her friends packed up to continue their trek to Azalea Town and Apple Bloom's second gym battle. Meanwhile, in Canterlot, Applejack finishes cleaning the barn. But, she has something on her mind. Being a Pokémon trainer is not as fun as my sister thinks it is. She and her cohorts in crime will give up soon.

End of Chapter 7

APPLE BLOOM
Cyndaquil
Pidgey
Sentret
Mareep

SWEETIE BELLE
Totodile
Weedle

SCOOTALOO
Chikorita
Bellsprout
Wooper