Author's Note

It's time for the adventurous farm girl to engage her second Gym Battle

9. Things Are Getting Buggy

Inside the Pokémon Center in Azalea Town, Apple Bloom is figuring out strategy for her Gym battle.

"From what I learned," Apple Bloom said, "the gym leader here specializes in Bug types."

"A Bug Pokémon trainer?" Sweetie Belle gasped. "There's a place Rarity would probably stay away from."

"Yeah. She's not really into insects. Is she?"

"To quote your big brother, 'Nope'."

Scootaloo soon had a thought. "You know, Apple Bloom. Cyndaquil and Pidgey can help you well here."

"True, Scoots." AB replied. "Flying and fire types do have the advantage over bug types. Let's go."

As the girls head for the Azalea Town Gym, the red haired bully, Scorch, watches them.

"Those girls think they're good with Pokémon." Scorch said to himself. "Once the Gym Battle is over, I'll teach them that they are nothing compared to me!"

After making their way through the town, the girls found the gym. As they enter, they see it looks like a large forest. They see many insects crawling around.

"This place is perfect for bug types." Sweetie Belle said. "They feel at home with all of these trees."

"Thank you." Said the voice of a young boy.

The girls soon see a young boy with blue hair and wearing a a green explorer outfit.

"My name is Bugsy." The boy said. "I'm the gym leader here in Azalea Town."

"You're a gym leader?" Scootaloo said with doubt. "You look like you're as young as us."

"I maybe young. But, I have great knowledge of bug types. So, which of you is my opponent?"

Apple Bloom steps up. "I'll be the one to face you."

"Okay, let's get ready to rumble!"

The two trainers take their positions. A young boy wearing a red shirt and blue overalls walks in to be the referee.

"This will be a three on three battle, Apple Bloom." Bugsy said.

"Okay, Bugsy." Apple Bloom replied. "Let's do this."

"First up: Metapod!"

Out popped a green cocoon. Apple Bloom studies the cocoon with her Pokédex. Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon and the evolved form of Caterpie. It doesn't battle often, in fear of it's shell breaking.

Apple Bloom makes her first choice. "Pidgey, you're up!"

Pidgey flew high, ready for battle. The farm boy makes his announcement. "Let this here battle begin!"

"Pidgey," Apple Bloom called out, "use Gust."

Pidgey flapped is wings to battle Metapod. Bugsy reacted quickly. "Metapod, use Harden!"

Metapod shined as it increased it's defense. The Gust attack hit. But, not as bad.

"Now it's my turn." Bugsy said. "Metapod, slow down Pidgey with String Shot!"

Metapod fired silk at the flyer. But, Pidgey flew far. Apple Bloom was relieved. "Good dodging, Pidgey."

Suddenly, it's wings glowed as it struck Metapod. The Cocoon Pokémon soon fainted.

"Metapod is unable to battle." The farm boy announced. "Pidgey wins."

"Metapod, return." Bugsy said. He turns to his opponent. "Looks like at the right moment, your Pidgey learned Wing Attack."

"That's great!" Apple Bloom cheered. "Congratulations, Pidgey."

"Here comes my second Pokémon. Go, Kakuna!"

Out comes a yellow cocoon. This got Sweetie shocked. "That's what my Weedle will evolved into."

Kakuna, the Cocoon Pokémon and the evolved form of Weedle. Said the Pokédex. It seems motionless. But, inside the shell, it gets ready to evolve.

"Pidgey, return." Apple Bloom said as she recalls her Pokémon. She makes another choice. "Cyndaquil, you're next!"

Cyndaquil comes out. But, as soon as the referee gave the green light to start, Bugsy struck fast and hard. "Kakuna, Poison Sting."

Kakuna fired poisonous darts at Cyndaquil. Apple Bloom made her move. Cyndaquil, use Smokescreen!"

The Fire Mouse Pokémon blew smoke at the yellow cocoon. As Kakuna was blinded, Apple Bloom struck hard. "Now, use Flame Wheel!"

Rolling up into a ball, Cyndaquil flared up and struck Kakuna. The intense heat caused it to faint.

"Kakuna is unable to battle." The farm boy announced. "Cyndaquil wins!"

After recalling Kakuna, Bugsy gave a nice comment. "That Flame Wheel is impressive."

"Thank ya kindly." Apple Bloom said.

"Here comes my last Pokémon. My noble insect warrior: Scyther!"

Out comes a green mantis with blade like arms. Apple Bloom studies this insect with her Pokédex. Scyther, the Mantis Pokémon. It's known for striking fast. It's scythe like arms are very powerful.

After recalling her Cyndaquil , Apple Bloom make her next choice "Let's go, Mareep!"

Mareep comes out. But, Bugsy is not that impressed. "That wooly Pokémon looks like easy pickings. Scyther, use Quick Attack!"

Using it's speed, Scyther strikes hard at Mareep. Apple Bloom soon countered. "Mareep. Slow it down with Thunder Wave!"

Mareep unleashed an electrical field to try and paralyze Scyther.

"We can fight through this ordeal." Bugsy stated. "Scyther, use X Scissor!"

Crossing it's arms, Scyther unleash green energy at it's opponent. Mareep was struck so hard, it fainted.

"Mareep is unable to battle." The farm boy announced. "Scyther wins!"

"Return, Mareep." Apple Bloom said sadly. Then, she smiled. "Nice work. The stage is set." She then makes her next choice. "Back to action, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil returns to battle. Bugsy realizes that Cyndaquil can be a tough opponent.

"Let's do this, Scyther." Bugsy said. "Use X Scissor!"

However, an electric pulse stops Scyther cold. The Thunder Wave kicked in at the right time.

"Now's our chance, Cyndaquil." Apple Bloom called out. "Flame Wheel!"

Rolling up, Cyndaquil flared up and strikes at Scyther. The flames are so intense, the Mantis Pokémon fainted.

"Scyther is unable to battle." The farm boy announced. "Cyndaquil wins. The winner of this gym battle is Apple Bloom!"

"We did it!" Apple Bloom cheered. "Good work, Cyndaquil."

Just then, Cyndaquil started to glow. This got the other concerned.

"What's the matter with Cyndaquil?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I think it's evolving." Scootaloo answered.

Cyndaquil soon got longer. When the glow stopped Cyndaquil is now a teal and yellow creature with flames on it's head and tail.

"I don't believe it." Apple Bloom gasped as she took out her Pokédex. "Cyndaquil evolved into a Quilava!"

Quilava, the Volcano Pokémon and the evolved form of Cyndaquil. Said the Pokédex. With it's slim body, it can dodge many attacks. Keeps opponents back by heating the air around it.

Bugsy walks up to Apple Bloom and her friends. "That was quite the battle we had. And, I was dazzled by Cyndaquil's evolution." He then takes out a badge fashioned after the back of a ladybug. "You have earned the Hive Badge."

"Thank you, Bugsy." Apple Bloom said proudly as she accepts the badge. "This makes it two badges."

Using items the girls brought, they helped Apple Bloom heal up Mareep. Just as they exited the Azalea Town Gym, they were confronted by Scorch. Who looks at them with angry eyes. "Think you're going to move ahead in this quest of yours?" He soon got super angry. "Think again!"

To be Continued

End of Chapter 9

APPLE BLOOM
Quilava
Pidgey
Sentret
Mareep

SWEETIE BELLE
Totodile
Weedle

SCOOTALOO
Chikorita
Bellsprout
Wooper