//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins! Old Friends unite! // Story: My Little Pokémon: Gotta Friend them all! // by TheOldRedHills //------------------------------// *buzz* *buzz* *buzz* Rainbow Dash’s alarm, set to 7:00am, made her eyes shoot awake, still bloodshot and filled with sleep. She jumped out of bed and threw on her black skinny jeans, white Wonderbolts T-shirt, blue denim jacket and white sneakers. She grabbed her brown satchel bag and ran downstairs, grabbed a slice of buttered toast prepared by her Mom and she catapulted her way out the door, and bolting down the road with a spring in her step. Today was the day she would become a certified Pokémon Trainer. The signups for the Equestria Pokémon League were only once a year, that being the end of July after all the Trainers had finished school. Only people aged 18 could sign up, so as Dash had finally come of age, she could partake in the League and get a shot at becoming Champion. The League is a ruthless gauntlet of eight Gyms, with a Gym Leader inside of each, specialising in a certain Pokémon Type. These Gyms were scattered across the region and it only took the greatest trainer of wit, strategy and willpower to not only gather the eight Gym Badges, but to defeat the Elite Four in Canterlot and the Champion. Only the best could do it, and Rainbow Dash knew she was the best. She was up for the challenge, and no matter how difficult that said challenge was, she could overcome them and truly become the very best, like no one ever was. That was until she bumped into someone whilst running down the street. ‘Owww!’ The girl in front yelled. ‘Watch where you’re going, will you?’ Rainbow Dash recognised the young lady instantly, though she couldn’t recognise Dash as she had dropped her glasses in the collision. ‘Sorry, Twilight.’ Rainbow chuckled to herself as she handed back her thick framed glasses. Twilight Sparkle reluctantly put them on. ‘Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash,’ Twilight blushed awkwardly as she brushed herself down. ‘I’m guessing you’re up bright and early for the sign up today?' ‘You betcha, I couldn’t miss it for anything! I’m glad you and Applejack are signing up with me, this means we could travel around the Equestria Region together.’ ‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Twilight started to walk with Rainbow. ‘I wonder what starter Pokémon they will have. My friend Moon Dancer told me that they have the starter’s exclusive to Sinnoh in Canterlot!’ ‘Woah, that’s pretty neat,’ Dash said ecstatically, she could hardly contain her excitement. ‘I don’t mind whichever one’s we get, they’re all pretty darn good.’ ‘Yeah, you’re right there. I’d just love to study Pokémon, that’s why I’m signing up in the first place.’ ‘The League Challenge is what I’m here for! One day I will be champion.’ A smug grin formed on Rainbow Dash’s face. ‘I don’t doubt you’ll do well. Just put in the effort, Dash.’ Twilight said optimistically, even though she knew how much Rainbow Dash would procrastinate usually. The two of them turned and entered into the Ponyville Pokémon Laboratory. There they were greeted by Professor Cheerilee, who aptly wore a lab coat and carried a clip board. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle signed a few forms about personal details, and ‘Health and Safety’ and the ‘Terms and Conditions’ which the two of them awkwardly skipped over. ‘All we need to do now is to wait for your other friend and then we can begin.’ Cheerilee said with a smile on her face. ‘How much longer does AJ need to take?’ Rainbow said with a huff. ‘Now, now, Rainbow, she can’t be that long now.’ Twilight reassured her friend, though she too was getting agitated. Ten minutes later, Applejack showed up, and she looked like a mess. ‘Sorry I’m late, y’all. Was up until stupid o’clock getting my chores done, that I slept through my alarm!’ She said groggily. ‘That’s fine, Miss Applejack, if you just sign these forms please.’ Cheerilee forced Applejack to endure the same procedure that Rainbow and Twilight had to undertake. She too skipped over the ‘Terms and Conditions’. ‘Okay girls,’ Professor Cheerilee started her lecture. ‘Today you three are going to be finally doing one of the greatest things potentially in your entire lives. Raising and using your very own Pokémon!’ ‘YESSSS!’ Rainbow Dash started to rock back and forth in her chair. She wanted to squeal she was that excited. ‘The first step you have to make now is, of course, choosing what your starter will be.’ Cheerilee added on, going over to her computer and entering in a heap of codes. ‘Professor,’ Twilight chirped up ‘May I ask from what region we will be getting our starters from?’ ‘Good question, Miss Sparkle,’ The Professor replied, as she finished typing and three Pokéballs arose from her work table. ‘I decided that this year we should go with a region of Pokémon that has never been represented here in Ponyville before. Girls, these are the Kalos starters, meet Chespin, Froakie and Fennekin.’ Cheerilee threw the Pokéballs to the ground, where three monsters appeared. Fennekin was a yellow and orange fox creature, which created an undeniable heat in the laboratory. Chespin was a green and brown woodland creature, and the final Pokémon was a frog of many shades of blue, with a large amount of frubbles culminating on its back, that was Froakie. ‘Choose wisely, girls, as this is the Pokémon that will always be by your side in your journey.’ Professor Cheerilee stepped aside to let the three girls ponder over the three starters. ‘Awww you’re so cute!’ Twilight ran over to Fennekin and began to stroke its warm fur. The yellow fox sneezed, and a small ignition of flame shot out its nose. Twilight couldn’t help but find it adorable, so she claimed the Fire Fox Pokémon for herself. ‘You’re a hungry one, ain’t ya?’ Applejack said to the Chespin, that was snacking on some of the apples she carried in her satchel. ‘I don’t know about you, but I think we’re gonna be mighty good friends.’ Applejack said happily. ‘Chespin!’ The Spiny Nut Pokémon replied in admiration. ‘Okay, listen here,’ Rainbow Dash started to become some kind of drill sergeant to the Froakie (that watched with a cute little smile on its face.) ‘Do you think you have what it takes to be on my team? Mind you, this is the team that will conquer the eight Gym Leaders and help me become the Champion of the Equestria Region.’ ‘FROAKIE, FROA FROA!’ The giddy Pokémon said in response, which Dash couldn’t help but smile at. ‘Ooooohkay, but don’t make me regret this, pal.’ She said in a weird mixed tone of happiness, and assertiveness. So it was decided then and there. Twilight Sparkle owned Fennekin, Applejack had ownership of Chespin, and, of course, Rainbow Dash had a neat little Froakie perched upon her shoulder. ‘Awwww yay, wise choices, you three,’ Cheerilee jumped up and down in excitement. ‘There are a few more things you will need before you set out. Firstly, here are your Pokémon’s Pokéballs.’ She handed them to the three girls, who put the Pokémon inside of them. ‘Don’t worry, they are completely safe inside of there.’ Cheerilee joyfully stated. ‘Darn tootin’.’ Applejack grunted as she looked at the Pokéball in dismay. ‘You’re gonna need Pokéballs at every turn, so here’s ten each for you.’ She handed ten tiny little capsules to the girls, who each but them into their respective bags. ‘Last, but certainly not least,’ the Professor grabbed three red tablet shaped devices off her counter. ‘Here are your certified Pokédex.’ The three girls looked in wonder when they received the noble gift. This item above all else proved that you were a trainer. ‘I have been studying Pokémon all my life, but since I’m rooted to Ponyville, being a teacher and all, it means I cannot go out into the world and explore. Finding all the information on every Pokémon that’s out there, that would be a dream come true for me.’ Cheerilee spoke rather pessimistically, but Twilight Sparkle stepped forward. ‘That would be amazing, Professor. I may do it myself whilst we’re out there.’ She exclaimed. ‘Oh that would be wonderful, Miss Sparkle. Just remember that you three have so much potential, go out into the world and make a difference in it. I believe in you.’ All three of the girls said ‘Thank you.’ (Except Applejack who said ‘Much obliged.’) And the three of them turned around and left the laboratory. ‘So let’s see if these Pokédexes work,’ Rainbow Dash cockily said as they walked into a warm field. ‘GO FROAKIE!’ She threw the Pokéball to the ground, and blasting out in a beam of light, Froakie appeared. ‘Froa!’ The little Frog said in a chipper manner. ‘Rightio, here we are, scan Pokémon.’ Rainbow grabbed her Pokédex as she held it up to her monster. Suddenly the tablet sprang to life and explained: ‘FROAKIE: The Bubble Frog Pokémon From its chest and back, FROAKIE creates bubbles called Frubbles, which act as a cushion and soften the blow of an opponent's attack.’ ‘Woah that’s neat,’ Applejack said. ‘Try it on my Chespin.’ as she threw out the Grass type Pokémon. ‘Yeah yeah sure, gimme a second.’ Rainbow pointed the Pokédex at Chespin as the machine said in a robotic voice. ‘CHESPIN: The Spiny Nut Pokémon CHESPIN can flex the soft spikes on its head, making them so stiff and sharp; they can even pierce through stone.’ ‘Well, I’ll be. Not such a cute face after all.’ Applejack said triumphantly as Chespin ran into her arms. ‘Right okay then,’ Twilight said with an annoyed quiver to her voice, throwing her Pokéball to the ground. ‘What does the Pokédex say about my Fennekin?’ ‘You guys realise you can do it yourselves, right?’ Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath, scanning the warm, fluffy Fox. ‘FENNEKIN: The Fox Pokémon FENNEKIN expels hot air that can reach nearly 400 degrees. It likes to snack on twigs.’ ‘Wow, that’s hot.’ Applejack said, backing away. ‘Yeah Twilight, don’t be making us call the Fire Department on you if your Fennekin sets you in flames.’ Rainbow also said, shielding her face with the Pokédex. ‘Don’t worry, it won’t do that,’ Twilight giggled, scooping her Pokémon into her hands. ‘So are we gonna battle or what?’ ‘Oh yeah,’ Rainbow Dash stepped forward with a smug grin. ‘We most certainly are, gotta start somewhere.’ ‘Alright, let’s get set up, then we can begin.’ Applejack grinned, knowing that playing referee would be a good front seat for the action. ‘Right, this is gonna be a fair fight, the first Pokémon to knock out its opponent is the winner.’ Applejack announced to the two competitors. The three of them created their own battle field using the medium sized field, their jackets and bags being placed down to create the four corners of a Pokémon arena. Rainbow Dash stood at one end, Twilight the other, and Applejack stood outside the rectangle but still in the middle of her two best friends. ‘Froakie, it’s time to show me your skills!’ Dash said, with her Pokémon jumping off her shoulder with a determined face on. ‘I choose you Fennekin!’ Twilight pointed and Fennekin ran from behind her legs. ‘FEN!’ The Pokémon called as it jumped into position. ‘Let the battle begin!’ Applejack struck down her arm, commencing the battle to start. ‘Okay, Fennekin,’ Twilight pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. ‘Start it off with a scratch!’ Fennekin’s claws began to brighten up a neon white as she charged forward towards the Froakie. ‘Froakie, dodge it and counter with bubble!’ Rainbow pointed forwards as Froakie jumped over the Fennekin, causing the Pokémon to trip over. All of a sudden, an array of bubbles shot from the Frogs mouth and assaulted the Fennekin, where it ran away in retaliation. ‘Alright, if you want to play dirty, Dash,’ Twilight replicated the smug look on the rainbow-haired girls face. ‘Fennekin, use your tail-whip to knock down Froakies defence!’ ‘Wait what?’ Dash seemed shocked as the Fox began to slap Froakie with its tail, leaving it confused and alarmed. ‘Now, strike at it again with scratch!’ Twilight shouted as her Pokémon hit at Froakie with a claw, causing it to fly backwards. ‘Don’t give up Froakie, I know what we can do!’ Rainbow looked at the injured Pokémon. ‘FROA!’ It exclaimed as a sneer grew on its face. ‘Fennekin, finish it off with your ember attack!’ Twilight seized the opportunity to win. ‘FENNEKIN!’ The Fox began to create a ball of fire in its mouth. As it launched the considerably large flame ball Dash exclaimed: ‘Froakie, use your frubbles and block the attack!’ As Froakie used the frubbles and covered itself, the ember was simply absorbed, no damage was done. Twilight, Fennekin and Applejack were all in a state of shock, and Dash knew she should use this to her advantage. ‘Quick, Froakie now hit Fennekin with a pound!’ Rainbow Dash watched in glee as Froakie sent the Fennekin flying across the field, knocking it out in the process. ‘The Winner of the match goes to Rainbow Dash and Froakie.’ Applejack pointed towards the winner as she ran around in excitement, her Froakie joining in with her. ‘Don’t worry Fennekin, you did a brilliant job out there, now just rest a little, okay?’ Twilight said to her fainted friend as she sent her back into her Pokéball. Applejack walked up to her: ‘You both impressed me, it looked like it was getting pretty heated I was just watching the darn thing!’ She said, nudging Twilight with her elbow. ‘I didn’t think Rainbow Dash could pull it off, you know,’ Twilight looked to the girl in admiration. ‘I suppose there could be more to her than meets the eye.’ ‘You betcha! I suppose she’s gonna head into the Ponyville Gym as soon as she can.’ ‘Heck yeah I am,’ Rainbow and Froakie ran up to the two young women. ‘Although as much as Froakie is awesome and all, I think he’ll need a little backup in there.’ ‘Froakie Froa!’ The Froakie called in response. ‘I gotta congratulate you for that battle then, Dash,’ Twilight stuck out her arm, which Rainbow took and shook it. ‘There was some amazing connection between you and that Froakie, you two are gonna be amazing together!’ ‘Thanks, Twi, to be honest; I thought you had me for a second.’ Rainbow Dash added on, making the three girls laugh together. ‘Come on, gals, route one is just outside Ponyville, no doubt you’ll find some Pokémon to help you out at the Gym.’ Applejack ran down the street, making the other girls catch up. ‘If you say so, Championship here we come!’ Rainbow bellowed. And so, as the day hit noon, the three trainers had begun their Pokémon journey through the Equestria Region. Although there will be many hardships to face along the way, and new faces and new Pokémon to encounter as well. Only time will tell what will happen in the amazing world of Pokémon!