Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos

by Brian Sheil

Rock Climb of Victory

Sunset and her friends walked along a beach outside Ambrette Town. They find the atmosphere very relaxing.
"Doesn't the calmness of the waves relax you, Sunny?" Izzy asked calmly.
"Believe it or not, it does." Sunny replied. "You probably do some of your yoga in places like this."
"That's true. This is why we took off our shoes here. Walking barefoot in the sand is always pleasant on the beach."
"If only Applejack’s little sister, Apple Bloom, can see me now." Sunset said happily. "My current look might remind her of what she does at her home at Sweet Apple Acres."
They were soon spotted by a blond haired girl wearing a two piece swimsuit. Top part is red, bottom part is purple.
"What up, barefoot farm girl?" The girl said to Sunset. "How about a Pokémon battle?"
"I can use a warm up before my gym battle." Sunset replied. "Let's do this!"

The beach girl throws her Poké Ball. "Let's do this, Psyduck!"
Out popped a yellow duck like creature. Interested, Sunset learned of this Pokémon.
Psyduck, the Duck Pokémon. The Pokédex said. Though suffering from constant headaches, this Pokémon displays unusual psychic powers.
"Bulbasaur," Sunset called as she threw her own Poké Ball, "I choose you!"
Bulbasaur comes out and is ready for battle. Sunny is concerned. "Grass Types are a little weak against Psychic Types like Psyduck."
"Your friend is right." The beach girl replied. "And, here's proof! Psyduck, use Confusion!"
Psyduck uses Confusion that got Bulbasaur dazzled.
"Bulbasaur," Sunset said with concern, "try using Vine Whip on Psyduck."
Bulbasaur unknowingly use Vine Whip on itself. But, that snapped it out of its confused state. Suddenly, a bunch of leaves were fired from Bulbasaur's bulb.
"Wow!" Sunset cheered. "Bulbasaur learned Razor Leaf!"
The leaves struck Psyduck so much, it fainted. The beach girl recalled her duck Pokémon.
"That Razor Leaf was a big surprise." The beach girl said.
"Believe me." Sunset replied. "It was a big surprise to me too."
Just then, Bulbasaur started to glow. It soon grew as its bulb opened up. When the glowing stopped, Bulbasaur looked like it grew and it now has a red bloom on its back.
"Awesome!" The beach girl cheered. "Your Bulbasaur evolved into an Ivysaur."
Sunset checked her Pokédex. "So, you're an Ivysaur now, huh?"
The Pokédex comes alive. Ivysaur, the Seed Pokémon and the evolved form of Bulbasaur. Their bulb opens into a red Bloom. That's why this Pokémon lounges in the sunlight.
"That's going to help Sunset in her gym battle at Cyllage City." Sunny figured.
After some more walking, the girls finally reached Cyllage City. After putting their shoes back on, they went inside the Pokémon Center where Sunset waits for her Pokémon to heal.
"Walking barefoot in the sand is relaxing." Sunny praised. "But, it feels good to slip my shoes back on."
"I guess that's true." Izzy agreed.
Sunset was given back her Pokémon by Nurse Joy. Just then, Rainbow Dash stopped in. "Hi, girls."
"Rainbow Dash!" Sunset gasped. "I didn't expect to see you again."
"Here's something else you didn't expect." She then pulled out a Poké Ball, and threw it up. "Check it out."
Out popped a Machop. The girls were very shocked.
"Where did you find this Machop?" Sunset asked.
Rainbow gave an explanation. "After you guys left for Lumiose City, I saw this Machop wandering about. It looked very weary. So, I took it to a nearby Pokémon Center. Turns out his previous owner abandoned him, probably he thought Machop looked too weak."
"Guess he doesn't have knowledge of Pokémon." Sunset figured.
"So, the Nurse Joy working there gave Machop to me. Now, I have a Pokémon buddy of my own."
This made the three friends smile. Outside, the girls were looking around the city. Soon they saw a man with black hair at a rock climb. He had on a black shirt, gray pants and gloves, and brown boots.
"Pretty brave dude." Dash praised.
The man climbed back down, hearing Dash's comment. "I appreciate the comment. My name is Grant. I'm the Cyllage City Gym leader."
"You're a gym leader? No way."
"You heard right. Battling in a gym is like climbing a wall like this one. You need a push yourself to reach your goal. So, which of you girls are here to challenge me to an official gym battle?"
Sunset steps up. "I'm your challenger, Grant."
"Okay. Let's see if you can make that faithful climb. Come inside with me."

Hi, everyone. Sunset Shimmer here. We have Aerodactyl, Relicanth, and Rhydon. Which of these Pokémon is partially a water type?

Inside the gym, it looks like an activity center with lots of rock climbing walls. In the stands, Rainbow, Sunny, and Izzy are ready to watch the action as a rock climber wearing a black tank top, black spandex shorts and white sneakers walked up to supervise the battle.
"This is an official gym battle between Grant, the gym leader, and Sunset Shimmer, the challenger." The rock climber announced. "Each will use two Pokémon. The battle is over when both Pokémon of either side is unable to battle. Furthermore, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon."
"Okay, Sunset." Grant informed, "Here's your first obstacle." He threw out a Poké Ball. "You're up, Amaura!"
The Tundra Pokémon pops out, and is ready for battle. Sunset readies her own Pokémon. "Pancham, I choose you!"
Pancham comes out. Rainbow Dash is a little unsure.
"Can that little guy tackle a Pokémon like Amaura?" Dash asked.
"Pancham may look too adorable." Izzy replied. "But, he can fight."
The referee made a call. "Battle begin!"
Sunset gave her feiend a command. "Pancham, start with Arm Thrust!"
Pancham charges into Amaura and starts to pummel his opponent. But, Grant isn't worried. "Push him back with Powder Snow!"
Amaura blew a snowstorm to push Pancham back.
"Follow it up with Rock Smash!" Grant said.
Amaura made rocks appear to crush the Playful Pokémon. Sunset has her own surprise. "Quick! Dodge it. Then use Karate Chop!"
After dodging the rocks, Pancham jumped up and chopped Amaura on the head. Amaura felt dizzy, then fainted.
"Amaura is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Pancham is the winner."
Rainbow Dash was shocked. "No way. How is that possible?"
"Being a rock and ice type," Sunny said to Rainbow, "Amaura is vulnerable to fighting type moves"
"Amaura, return." Grant said. He then turns to his opponent. "A very impressive Karate Chop. You figured that Amaura is not just a rock type, but an ice type as well. Both types weak against Fighting moves."
"I studied about Pokémon types before coming to Kalos." Sunset said.
"Let's see how you do against my next Pokémon." Grant then throws his next Pokémon. "You're up, Tyrunt."
Tyrunt pops out, and gives out a loud growl. Sunset recalls her Pancham. "Pancham, return."
"What's the deal?" Dash asked. "Pancham is on a roll."
"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash." Sunset assured as she throws her next Poké Ball. "Ivysaur, I choose you."
Ivysaur comes out, and is ready to fight Tyrunt. The referee gives the order. "Let the battle begin!"
"Ivysaur," Sunset commanded, "use Vine Whip!"
Ivysaur extended its vines to strike Tyrunt. Grant reacted. "Tyrunt, use stomp on those vines!"
Tyrunt stepped hard on the vines. Sunset was scared. "Oh no!"
"Now, Tyrunt." Grant advised. "Jump up to use Bite."
Tyrunt ran up to the Seed Pokémon. It jumped and clamped on Ivysaur's red bulb. Sunset then smirked.
"You shouldn't have done that, Tyrunt." Sunset told the Royal Heir Pokémon. "Ivysaur, blast him with Poison Powder!"
A purple cloud came from Ivysaur's bulb into Tyrunt's face. It jumped back, feeling the Poison.
"That'll teach Tyrunt to watch that big mouth of his." Izzy chuckled.
"Let's wrap it up, Ivysaur." Sunset said proudly. "Use Razor Leaf!"
Ivysaur unleashed a barrage of leaves at Tyrunt. With the poison kicking in, Tyrunt soon, fainted.
"Tyrunt is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Ivysaur wins. The winner of this battle is Sunset Shimmer!"
Sunset rushed to hug Ivysaur. "You did it, Ivysaur. Good work."
Grant recalled Tyrunt, not regretting his loss. "You did good, Tyrunt. Now, rest up."
Sunny, Rainbow Dash, and Izzy ran to be with Sunset as Grant approaches her.
"That Poison Powder attack was a big surprise." Grant said proudly. "Not a bad way to make a good use of a situation."
Sunset blushed, knowing Grant is right. He then holds up a badge that looked like slanted panels. "As proof of your victory here at the Cyllage City Gym, I give to you the Cliff Badge."
The former bully was happy for this moment. "I have the Cliff Badge!" She then holds it up. "That's badge number two."
Her friends clapped happily for Sunset as she places her badge in the badge case.
As they left the gym, somebody whistled them from above. It turned out to be Sprout Cloverleaf on a climb wall.
"Swell view from up there." Sunset called out. "Eh, doc?"
"These rock climbing walls has it perks." Sprout replied as he climbs down.
"Is this the guy that helped start Sunset on her journey?" Dash asked.
"That's him, all right." Sunny answered.
Sprout came to compliment about Sunset's victory. "I'm still surprised that Ivysaur sprayed that Poison Power into Tyrunt's mouth."
"Opportunity knocks," Sunset replied, "who am I not to answer?"
"That'll sure leave a bad taste in his mouth for a while." Izzy said. "A Pecha Berry will taste good to him right now."
After a good laugh, Sprout gave Sunset new info. "Gym Challenge number 3 is at Shalour City. I heard you already met the gym leader."
"I sure did." Sunset said. "I met her just after I caught Pancham."
"Then you'll know what's in store for you. Later."
As Sprout heads out, Sunset and company head for the Pokémon Center so her Pokémon can heal. Rainbow Dash said goodbye and went on her way. Now, Sunset, Izzy, and Sunny have to be ready for what's in store for them on the way to Shalour City.
“Next stop,” Sunset announced.
“Shalour City!” Sunny finished.
“And, gym battle number 3!” Izzy added.

Hi, friends. If you answered it was Relicanth: The Longevity Pokémon, you’re right.