The train ride proved rather uneventful for Twilight. She'd spent the first half researching what she could on the gyms available to her in Ponyville only to find that the information was locked out. Apparently she was supposed to find out from the locals and be ready for anything. All she could glean from her dex is that there were two gyms available: Flying type and Normal type.
Tradition suggested that a trainer challenged one gym at the start of their journey and the other at the end, since the gym circuit both began and ended in Ponyville as it was closest to Canterlot and the Elite 4.
Twilight debated which to face herself before finally dozing off to use the last two hours of the trip to catch up on sleep after making sure Spike would wake her up when they arrived or something happened.
When the train finally whined to a stop at Ponyville’s station, the unicorn and her companion were finally able to see the town where journeys began and ended. It was almost quaint. Most buildings showing the age of the town but there were plenty of modern amenities visible here and there. Exiting the station she decided the best first stop would be the pokemon center to arrange her stay. The mare had no idea how long it would take to train up Spike, maybe catch a new companion, and challenge the gym.
Her search of the locally available Pokemon in her dex proved futile, another lock told her she had to find out on her own.
Frustrated, she made to throw it on the ground before realizing it wouldn't do her any good to break it, “What's the use of even having one of these if it won't tell you anything? I could have sworn it had more information than this yesterday!”
“Well, my guess is that with your updated trainer’s license it switched you from academic to trainer.”
Twilight and Spike both nearly leapt out of their skins as the pony spoke directly into Twilight’s ear, having somehow managed to sneak that close. The intruder brought a hand to her chin and looked skyward, blue wings fluttering, “Academic trainers have access to most information that's been catalogued by other trainers, rookies have to learn by doing. My name is Rainbow Dash, what's yours?”
Confident that her chest wouldn't explode from her increased heart rate, the unicorn spoke up, “Twilight Sparkle, I'm here to start my pokemon journey by order of Professor Celestia. This is Spike, I hatched him myself.”
“By order? Jeez, you make it sound like a job. A trainer's journey should be about having fun and meeting new friends and pokemon!” said the pegasus, grinning widely. Twilight took in the sight. Rainbow Dash was, politely put, sporty. Her mane and tail were both bright rainbows, the mane cut short and almost boyish. She was wearing what looked like a tank top and sports bra as well as yoga pants that clung almost a bit too tightly in the right spots and showed off that her legs were those of a track star.
“A pokemon journey is about learning about Pokemon in the field and gathering a team strong enough to beat the standing champion so I can earn a professorship.”
The other mare shook her head,”You've got a lot to learn, egghead…”
With that, the pegasus took off and soared away into town, leaving Twilight sputtering and Spike looking a little worried. Fuming, she stormed off back in the direction of the square and the red roof of the pokemon center as it came into view.
“Of all the nerve. She has no idea what she's talking about,” Twilight groused as she approached the counter. Behind it was a yellow pegasus mare with pale pink hair that hid her eyes, “Hi, can I check in for the night or is it too early?”
The mare behind the counter didn't reply vocally but did nod shyly, not making any other moves.
“Great, can you tell me what I need to do?” she asked, receiving no further response as the pegasus seemed to shrink into herself, “My name is Twilight Sparkle, what's yours?”
She thought she heard a response but it didn't seem that the one behind the counter had even moved her lips, “Sorry, what was that?”
Spike took the chance to hop up on the counter, “I think she said her name is Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy nodded, her eyes wide and sparkling,” Ohmygosh a baby dragon! I've never seen one in person before! You're an Axew aren't you? What moves does it know? Can it breath fire? When did you hatch it? Tell me EVERYthing.”
Twilight boggled and Spike grinned and stood a little more proudly. His trainer sighed, “His name is Spike. I hatched him about 12 years ago as part of an entrance project for Canterlot Academy.”
“Oh, you're from the academy? Are you here to study something?” the pegasus asked as she slipped back into shy mode.
“Unfortunately not. I'm here to start my gym circuit and I wanted to make sure Spike was in top shape. Can you look him over for me?”
“Oh no, I'm not the nurse here, Redheart is grabbing lunch. I'm just watching the counter. I can put him in the queue and see if there's a room for you though.”
Twilight sighed as her impatience grew. The sooner she got this dumb journey over with the sooner she could go back to the library and finish disproving the mare in the moon being an ancient trainer that angered too many Clefairy, “I guess that'll be fine. We'll go grab lunch too,” she said while letting Fluttershy scan her trainer card.
“Have you decided which gym you're going to face first?”
“Well Spike doesn't have anything really good against either normal or flying types and I haven't had a chance to go looking for anything else.”
“Well there's all kinds of Pokemon in the Everfree forest including some Pikachu but there's a weird pony that lives out there and…” Fluttershy trailed off and handed back Twilight’s paperwork, “Room 257, have a good day.”
With that, the yellow pegasus was gone. Twilight shook her head, “At least we have a lead. Hopefully eight pokeballs are enough.”
“You'll be fine, Twi. Trust me!”