//------------------------------// // Sculpting Friends // Story: My Little Pokémon // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Unova Region. Windy Willows Pastures. Afternoon. Arriving here with a major goal was Applejack along with her friends. The goal was to make more Golett for Applejack's Golett. Certainly, an interesting goal that involved sculpting and the usage of a strange energy source, but nevertheless, it was something to be pursued. They arrived here at the farm where Golett was built among many others. It was home to Golett Sculptors. Golett was feeling further nostalgia by looking at the pastures. "Here we are," Fantina spoke. "If you've ever wanted to know where most of the Golett in the world come from, this is one of those places." "So most of them come here, huh?" Ash gawked. "Nice!" "Yes. But not all of them. There are other places out there with Golett Sculptors that are hidden. It's all about the secrecy with us Ghost-Type specialists. Now, then. How many Golett shall we make? The same amount as all of you and I? 9?" "Hmmm...9...9 sounds good." They all agreed on it. 9 Golett seemed like a good enough amount to have. They approached the pastures, seeing the abundance of clay within multiple boxes. A massive supply. Enough to rival that of an acre of trees within a forest. The workers here were the usual young men and women, working hard to make Golett. To make a Golurk would require a hefty amount of workers. They greeted the group upon their arrival as Golett saw how this entire farm remained unchanged for the most part. Granted, after 110 years, it would go through some changes, but the place itself was good enough to the point where only the bare minimum was needed. "Afternoon. Do ya'll need something?" One of the workers asked, placing down a box of clay. "You're only here for one thing, right?" "Why yes! We're here to take part in the Golett Sculpting. All 9 of us. It will be their first time making Golett Scuplturs here." "Wait. You've one it before?" Twilight asked. "I only did a mock Golett Sculpting when I was inspired by it." Fantina chuckled. "This will be like a dream come true for me, making my own Golett." "So is the clay special?" Fluttershy asked, wandering at the mass of clay. "It must be if the Golett can be so durable." "Oh, the clay? Believe it or not, the clay ain't special at all." "It's not?!" Each of them, except for Fantina was surprised. They had the same thought about Golett being made out of some special clay. Withstanding Pokemon attacks that have the power to break concrete, steel and even warp the weather itself would've led them to believe that. Turns out, that was not the case. "Ain't it. The clay's all-natural. You can buy it over at your local Poke Mart." "Then...how does it work for the Golett?" Rainbow Dash asked. "They use that strange energy source that the Pokedex describes." Fantina chimed in. "It's that energy that not only gives the Golett life but also hardens the clay. So it's not complicated at all, my little pony." "As long as I get to give Golett some future friends for life, that's fine by me." Applejack shrugged. "Let's hurry and get this going." "I hear ya, gal. But uh...one question. Are ya'll able to sculpt with hooves?" The worker asked as only Ash, Goh and Fantina had hands that could sculpt. Everypony else had hooves at best. "Over at the Pokemon School, They are taught how to sculpt. So they have their way of doing it even without hands." Fantina explained. "Not easy though. Hard to sculpt things when you've got these!" Pinkie Pie flailed her hooves about. "Should be easy with these. Right, Rarity?" Twilight was referring to her and Rarity's horns. Magic was their strongest ally in this instance. Then again, for a majority of the time, it always is their strongest ally. "Can we have our Pokemon help us?" Fluttershy asked. "Of course. They're free to do the same. So just go for it. Grab yourself a clay box and start making those Golett. You gotta get every detail right though. But Golett's a pretty simple looking Pokemon for that to work." "Hmm..." To see if it was true, Rarity gazed at Golett for a moment. It was a small Pokemon with minimal patterns. Not difficult but not exactly a Pokemon that can easily be crafted with just one look. "Simple is a tiny overstatement." Nevertheless, they would get to work. There were no aprons needed for clay sculpting, whether it was for Golett or just average clay sculpting. But Rarity thought otherwise, wanting to keep herself clean. They had images of Golett, other sculpted Golett and Applejack's Golett to go off of. Their Pokemon would assist them in this sculpting, chiming in on the fun. Once they got a hold of the clay, they found out that it was far more colourful and playful than they expected. Like a child's clay set only with some extra grit on it. Starting off, Ash had meshed two different shades of blue together, messing around with them. "This stuff's extra soft." He commented. "Can't believe that every Golett and Golurk are made out of this stuff." "Makes it all the more charming, doesn't it?" Twilight replied, using her magic to both sculpt and hold up an image of Golett too. Twilight had Ninetales help out due to his nine tails and the use they could bring. "Feels like they could swallow us at any moment," Goh said, pulling on a yellow clay that stretched to great lengths. "Weird. Are we sure it's not special clay?" "Feels pretty special to me. Hey! Do you think I could give my Golett a cool style on its head?!" Rainbow Dash aimed to get creative, wanting to make a custom Golett. "Sorry there, my little pony." A worker came over. "But it's gotta be a standard Golett. Nothing else. We can't deviate away from the original model." "Aw...Seriously?" A disappointed Rainbow Dash pouted. "Ah, let her be creative." However, despite this rule, Fantina came over. "Variety is the spice of life. Changing the appearance of a single Golett isn't going to make the world collapse, c'est ça ?" "Hmm...Nothing bad would come from it but..." The worker thought for a moment. "Let her make a Golett different from the others. It won't look any different from a regional Pokemon or any other Pokemon with alternate appearances. Or even a Spinda with its spots. A first for everything." "Spinda!" Pinkie Pie's Spinda could vouch for that, popping out of her mane and raising her arm in response to Fantina's words. "Oooh! In that case, I know what I want to do!" Rarity took advantage of this. Much like Rainbow Dash, she saw the opportunity to go past Golett's standard design and wanted to let her mind roam free with ideas. Soon, there would be Golett of different appearances. Not too different but they would certainly have their own unique style to them. Hearing this, Ash and the others were now eager to try this out. "We could make it so that each of our Golett stand out when you put it like that," said Twilight. "Won't be difficult to tell them apart, would it?" "Fine, fine." The worker shrugged. "Not like the rule was the strongest thing in the first place or even all there. But if you're gonna do it, you'll need some more clay that ain't just the same colours." "She's right. These are some limited colours we have to work with." Twilight used her magic to bring over the boxes, showing how they all kept the same colours. Cyan, yellow, brown and navy blue. All the colours that fit Golett. "Well, if you're looking for more colours, just go down to the local store near here. Like I said, it's just regular clay." The worker shrugged as this issue could be easily solved. "Hm..." Rarity, who gave a slow nod, soon used her magic to send Pheromosa out into the fray. Once the Lissome Pokemon emerged, the fashionista slid some Pokedollars her way. Hefty amounts. All of this came from Rarity's career as a PokeStar Studios Actress. "Pheromosa. Go to the local store in the city and buy as many clay boxes as you can. If a stranger comes up to you with heavy suspicion, you are free to kick them." "Pheromo!" Pheromosa saluted, holding the dollars close as she knew what to do next. In the blink of an eye, she rushed off to the nearby city, ready to buy heaps of clay. Thanks to her amazing speed, she could make this quick. With permission, they were free to change up some parts of Golett. However, for the most part, they still kept the appearance close to Golett. In just 7 minutes, Pheromosa had returned from the city, having boxes of clay with different colours in her possession, making everyone free to use whatever they wanted to use. Ash kept it simple by making a cape out of clay. He did seem to be a big fan of capes. Rainbow Dash stuck by what she wanted as she had Mienfoo help sculpt this Golett. A stylish red and blue stripe was placed on the top of Golett's head along with the back of its head. Rainbow Dash also sculpted a lightning bolt on its chest. It was small, but there, much like the stripes. However, Rainbow Dash didn't feel 100% satisfied with it, moving her hooves out, reworking it until she got what she felt was right. There wasn't much they could all do with Golett. It was a fairly small Pokemon after all. But Applejack didn't care too much for appearances. Not in this instance anyway. Be it any other time, she would've probably gone wild with her custom ideas. But out of all of her friends, she kept it standard. Riolu tried helping out, only to end up covering himself with clay. "Rio..." "Milo!" Cleaning him up was Rarity's Milotic, using Hydro Pump on Delta Riolu. "Ri!" Riolu's eyes expanded as he was at least free from the clay, despite being drenched now. "Golett," Golett observed everyone's craft before deciding to step in. He held his Goh's hand, pausing him for a moment. "Huh? W-What?" Goh asked. "Gol-Gol!" Golett seemed to take issue with a few things as it had used Shadow Punch, extending its shadowy arms to grab the hooves of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. "Golett!" "What gives?" Rainbow Dash asked as Golett's shadow grip was stronger than she expected. "Golett seems to know that we're doing it wrong. It's trying to give us advice." Fluttershy translated. "I was sure this image would've helped be enough." "Golett has been here before. So, it should know how the rest of its brethren are made." One of the workers commented. "I think it's a good idea for a Golett to be a tutor in all of this. Why didn't we think of that before?" "Good thing I've seen my fair share of Golett," Ash said as he didn't struggle too much with sculpting Golett. Neither did Rarity or Twilight, who always looked at everything closely, giving them this advantage. And the same went for Applejack who constantly lived with a Golett. Speaking of Applejack, since she was so focused on completing one of the Golett, she had already finished hers. "Done. Wasn't that hard." "So soon? Amazing job, Applejack!" Ash and Fluttershy applauded. "I'm probably not gonna get mine done anytime soon..." Rainbow Dash grumbled. "I thought had an idea in my head for this but...I guess this is why that one rule was made. Making Golett look different is tough." "I'll say. I'm looking at a bunch of them right now." Pinkie Pie commented as Mew had transformed into a Golett, but it was still tricky for her. "Hmm...How about this?!" Fantina snapped her fingers, hatching an idea that could solve their sculpting dilemma. "You all might not be able to make the Golett you want to, but you can still add something that can differentiate the rest from each other. And should be the glows!" "Glows? You mean the light that comes out of Golett's eyes and centre and side?" Rainbow Dash uttered. "Précisément, Rainbow Dash!" Fantina clapped. "How about you all make the glow colour different from what Golett usually has. A colour that suits you and it will let us know who made who or who is who." "Not a bad idea. I'm going for blue! I'm all about blue!" Ash stood up, already choosing a colour. "Aw, come on, Ash! I was totally going for blue!" Rainbow Dash interjected. "Maybe I could try...light blue!" "Mine won't be that different from Golett's regular glow. I'm already yellow right here." Fluttershy raised her hoof. "Maybe I can make it pale yellow?" "Mine will look absolutely divine! LIterally. All white. Oh and maybe a hidden tint of purple in there." Rarity commented. "Pink! Pink everywhere!" Pinkie Pie burst in between her friends as her colour was also predictable. They were all deciding based on either their coat colours or Aura. "While you all choose your glow...Applejack. You finished before anyone. You know what to do next, don't you?" Fantina turned to Applejack. "Eeyup. The Apparition Pass. I know where to be." "You'll find it up north. Can't miss that big mountain pass in the distance. When you head there, you're gonna find out that some creepy ghosts are gonna be messing with ya. Mainly some spectre more than anything." The worker warned. "Forget about all of that and just focus on getting that energy source in Golett, ya hear?" "I got it. But, I'll bring back energy sources for all of them. Makes it easier." Applejack chose to bring along more than just one of that strange energy source. It was all for every Golett. "Ya'll better finish with your Golett when I get back." "Almost done here. Go for it, AJ." Ash cheered her on. "Pika-Pikachu!" Applejack was off to the Apparition mountains with Golett, Sceptile, Delta Riolu and the sculpture of a Golett. With Golett by her side, she would have some guidance since this was all too memorable for Golurk. Ghost-Types tend to have good memories thanks to how long they live. Apparition Pass. The Apparition Pass. It truly lived up to its name. Upon arriving here, Applejack was met with the sight of a crooked land that was mostly cloaked by a light purple mist that flew across the mountains in every direction. Within the mist and even the clouds, silver eyes could be seen flashing in split seconds as eerie howls echoed throughout the pass. The ground was crooked, seemingly on the verge of breaking apart. The mist had also made bizarre shapes of unknowable horror. But despite this eerie appearance, Applejack was not intimidated or frightened. Neither of her Pokemon were. Sceptile was far too bold to be afraid, Delta Riolu has been seeing Ghosts for quite a while and Golett is a Ghost itself. "Just look for anything that stands out. Looking at this purple stuff makes it easy." Applejack commented before then walking further. Their bodies were hidden by the mist once they went deeper into the mountain pass. The mist had blocked out their shadows and the entire mountain pass, essentially making it invisible for others to see. "Gol. Golett." Upon moving through this pass, Golett stood in front of Applejack, waving its arms about as the rocks from the mountains started shifting. "Hm? Trying to warn me about something?" Applejack asked. "Gol!" Golett nodded. It has been here before, thus, knowledge about something bizarre here was vast. And the Automaton Pokemon was right on schedule. It had warned Applejack at the right time as the mist from the pass started gathering in one spot. The silver eyes within it had hovered at the centre, forming a new shape. A familiar one. It started forming hands, legs, a head and a body that was reminiscent of the final evolution for Golett. It had formed a Golurk. Some sort of spectral Golurk had appeared, causing Applejack and her friends to gawk in awe. Once this spectral apparition of Golurk, it had held its arm out to Applejack. It did not seem hostile despite its sudden appearance. The Golurk Apparition had them summoned something in its giant hands. Something that Golett knew too much of. The Energy Source that brings life to the Golett. It hovered there in the hands of the Golurk Apparition for Applejack to see. Golurk held it out for reason. It knew that Applejack wanted it and by looking at the Apparition's eyes, Applejack knew what it was going for. "You're trying to test me, right?" Applejack asked as the Apparition nodded. It wouldn't just hand it out so easily. Applejack needed to quickly prove if she was worthy to use it. This kind of power could do so much when used on sculptures, therefore, this apparition guards it and only reveals it to those it senses. Applejack gave off no wicked intentions. The Apparition could feel her Aura. It was absolutely outstanding. The Apparition whispered in Applejack's ear by flying past her, asking Applejack a question. The question was of why she came here. Even though the Apparition could sense no wickedness from her, it was still on its guard, wanting to know of Applejack's purpose here. "I'm here to bring life to this Golett." Applejack held the Golett sculpture out. "But You already knew that. But it's more than that. I wanna give life to other Golett that my friends are making right now. I'm doing it for my Golett here" "Gol-Gol." "Golett's gonna keep on living for years. Way past ours and many I know. Golett's gonna make new friends in the future. But I don't wanna have it be alone just searching for new friends. I want friends that'll be around as long as it is, so if there ever comes a time Golett starts feeling lonely, it won't be. Not with others like it being by its side." "Golett..." "And I don't know about Sceptile and Riolu, but I'll take a gamble and say them too." "Sceptile!" "Riolu!" The Apparition heard it loud and clearly from Applejack. It was right to not judge her so quickly. The Apparition already knew that many come here for the Golett Sculptures anyway, even though a pony threw it off. However, the Apparition focused on Applejack's words that were about years. It took a moment to sense her and her Pokemon too, feeling something unexpected. So unexpected that it made the Apparition almost break apart with its misty appearance. There was something different about Applejack and her Pokemon. The Apparition took a moment to process before knowing what it was. It whispered in her ear once more. "Huh? What do you mean it'll be longer?" Applejack asked. The Apparition continued to whisper in Applejack's ears, sharing information that it had gathered. "Ho-oh? Yeah, what about H-" Just then, after bringing up Ho-oh, Applejack quickly realized what the Apparition was referring to. She thought back to when she and her friends saw Ho-oh for the first time and the knowledge that Twilight had gathered from Queen Serperior at PokePark. Everything about it related to one thing. Eternal Happiness. It all started when Ash and Pikachu first saw Ho-oh that day during the start of their journey. The knowledge that Ash was apparently affecting others that he cared for around him with Ho-oh's radiance also came into mind. At first, it was hard to believe, but after thinking about it, Applejack could see that could be true. "So you're saying that...We're slowly ageing?!" Applejack asked as the Apparition confirmed it. "No wonder Granny Smith hasn't grown two extra wrinkles lately...Ya hear that, Golett?!" Excited, she picked up Golett. "We're gonna be around much longer than we thought! Oh, thanks, Ash! Pikachu!" "Golett!" "Sceptile!" "Riolu!" The Apparition had fully judged Applejack. She was indeed worthy of the energy source. It had then been held out to her with the Apparition moving its arms close to the earth pony. "Oh, right! The energy source!" Applejack focused on why she came here. "Uh, I'm actually here for 8 more. They're for my friends ya see. I'm trying to have all of their Golett come to life at the same time." The Apparition paused. No one had ever asked for multiple before. The Golurk Apparition thought about it for a moment. It stared Applejack in the eyes for a bit, judging her once more. And even if it were to gaze at Applejack for hours, the Apparition could feel the honesty from her heart. Honesty for the good of life. The Apparition had then granted her wish. It had duplicated the energy source in its hand. They were free for Applejack to wield as they hovered around the earth pony. "Thanks." Applejack thanked the Apparition. The Golurk Apparition nodded before then fading away. Its work here was done until another Golett sculpture shows up here. As for Applejack, it was time for her to head back with new life incoming. Windy Willows Pasture. Afternoon. Applejack had returned. And thanks to some help from the workers who gave advice, everyone managed to finish up their Golett Sculptures. And just like Fantina recommended, they had all been given special glowing colours that deviated from the standard yellow. But they had yet to glow until they were given life. Twilight had gone for purple, Goh went for red whilst Fantina chose dark purple to finish all the colours off. "You kept the cape, huh, Ash?" Rainbow Dash said as Ash's Golett kept the cape he had sculpted. Rarity had also given her Golett a shoulder pad accessory that made it look royal. "Yep. Totally worth it." "Alright. Here goes." Applejack then released the energy source, sending it in the direction of the 9 Golett. The sources reacted to the bodies of the Golurk promptly. Everyone watched as once they entered the sculptures, the radiant yet spectral glow from the sources gleamed out of them. Beautiful particles then flew out of them before their eyes had been illuminated. Each of their respective colours had come to life. As if it were a fancy light show, they had unleashed their glows one by one before they were all then brought into this world, seeing for the first time. And the first thing they saw was Applejack's Golett "Gol! Golett!" AJ's Golett cried out to them. "Golett?" Naturally, they were slightly confused by their sudden existence. As would anyone. But after looking at each other, they realized they were all identical. Applejack's Golett knew how they were feeling and thus already had the intention of making them comfortable in their new life. "Gol-Gol." "Looks like Sweet Apple Acres is gonna be extra occupied now." Pinkie Pie uttered. "But it'll be like one big happy family, won't it?" "Eeyup." "Bien fait, Applejack." Fantina walked over. "You have managed to live up to Kipp's promise and go beyond it. Giving Golett this is amazing. A clever idea, indeed." "Thanks, Fantina. Gonna have a lot on my hooves when I bring 'em home." Applejack removed her hat before then placing it on her Golett. "But we can handle it, can't we?" "Golett!" "This gives me an idea for tomorrow's lesson! How wonderful!" Fantina giggled. "I should do something like this more often since you all go on such adventures." "Aren't you a Gym Leader though? Won't that be difficult?" Goh asked. "Hasn't stopped I and others from enjoying ourselves, has it?" "Come on, Golett." Applejack picked up her Golett while also referring to the rest of the Golett. "Let's go home. We've got a bit of renovating to do." "Gol!" With new life brought into this world, Golett would no longer have to worry about being alone in the future. For two reasons. The birth of 9 other Golett who would be by its side and the prolonged lifespan of everyone else. They all had Ho-oh to thank for that as the journey continues. Chapter 733 End.