Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos

by Brian Sheil

Shadows in Shalour

As the sun rises in Shalour City, Sunset has her Pokémon out to enjoy some Pokémon food.
"Good morning, Miss Shimmer." Said the voice of an elegant woman.
Sunset realized that the voice belongs to Spoiled Rich, Diamond Tiara's mother.
"Mrs. Rich!" Sunset gasped. "I didn't expect you to be here."
"I came to thank you for escorting Diamond and Silver Spoon through Reflection Cave." Mrs. Rich praised. "They were very grateful to you and your friends."
"You're welcome. So, where did she get that Whismur?"
Spoiled's husband, Filthy Rich, stepped in to answer her question. "While we were visiting Kalos, we found this Whismur wandering about. Diamond felt bad and took the little critter to a Pokémon Center."
"Turns out its original trainer was brutalizing this Whismur." Spoiled continued. "So, we agreed that Diamond should take care of Whismur. They've been good friends ever since."
"Being a Pokémon trainer does bring out some maturity in people." Sunset figured.
Little do they know, a mysterious stranger wearing a crimson hoodie was watching this scene.
"So, you're here in Shalour, Shimmer." The stranger said in a low growling male voice. "I know what you're up to. But, you will not succeed."

Later, Sunset and her friends look over a giant tower.
"So, this is the Tower of Mastery." Sunny said.
"I guess so." Sunset replied. "I wonder why we were summoned there."
"I don't know. All I know is that it has something to do with these crystals we were all given."
"You mean the crystals Professor Sycamore gave us when we each got those Pokémon from him?" Izzy asked.
"That's them."
"Let's find out." Sunset said.
The girls make their way to the Tower. When they went inside, they saw a large statue of Lucario.
"Wow!" Izzy gasped. "This statue is huge."
Suddenly, from a door on the base of the statue, steps an old man with gray hair. He wore a gray buttoned shirt, black pants, and black shoes.
"Sunset Shimmer, Izzy Moonbow, and Sunny Starscout." The man greeted. "I was expecting you."
"Who are you?" Sunset asked.
"My name is Gurkhin. I believe you met my granddaughter."
"Who may that be?" Sunny asked.
From the door, a familiar face greeted the girls. "Hi, girls."
"WHAT?!" Sunny gasped. " Your granddaughter is Korrina?"
"That I am, Sunny. I learned my best fighting moves from him."
"We're glad you came, my dears." Gurkhin said. "It's time you learn of a subject you've been interested in for a while."
"What subject is that?" Izzy asked.
Gurkhin gave them a shocking answer. "Mega Evolution."

Hey, everybody. Sunset Shimmer here. Which Pokémon evolves into one of three Fighting Pokémon depending on the balance of Attack and Defense?

Inside a room at the base of the statue, Gurkhin and Korrina talked to the girls.
"As you know," Gurkhin said, "evolution helps Pokémon get better as they change forms. Do you girls know some ways Pokémon evolve?"
"I know Pokémon can evolve by reaching a certain level," Sunset replied, "and by special stones."
"Evolutions happen by friendship too." Sunny added
"Some Pokémon evolve by trade and when they learn certain moves." Izzy said.
Korrina was happy with the responses. "Good answers. But, Mega Evolution is much different."
"Korrina is right." Gurkhin added. "Mega Evolution is an amazing transformation that helps power of Pokémon."
"Wait." Sunny interrupted. "You mean that after Squirtle evolves to Wartortle, and again into Blastoise, they evolve further?"
"Correct, Miss Starscout. But, there is a reason why I said 'transformation'. Mega Evolution is a temporary evolution."
"I get it." Izzy figured. "After Mega Evolution, the Pokémon returns to normal."
"That's right, Miss Moonbow."
Korrina gives the girls some more information. "There is a snag, however. Even though all three of you have Mega Stones, I only have one item with a keystone to give to you. So, who will accept it?"
The three girls wondered who gets this special item.
"I think you should have the item, Sunset." Izzy decided.
Sunset was shocked to hear that. "Me?"
"Izzy's right." Sunny realized. " if you can master Mega Evolution, it'll give you some notice. But, in a good way."
"Don't worry about us." Izzy assured. "I have a feeling that we'll find keystones of our own."
Sunset spoke up. "I'll accept your gift."
"That's great." Korrina praised. "First, you need to beat me in an official gym battle. See you later."
Korrina skated off to her gym. Hidden from behind the door, the stranger in crimson heard the whole conversation. "Sunset Shimmer, there will be no gym badge or keystone for you!"
The figure ran off and streaked off to somewhere in the city. Sunset and her friends soon stood outside the Shalour City Gym.
"Are you ready for this, Sunset?" Sunny asked.
"After that battle I had with Korrina at Geosenge Town," Sunset replied, "I'll be ready for anything she'll unleash."
They enter the gym, and noticed that it's like an indoor skate park.
"WOW!" Izzy gasped. "And, I thought the skate park where we met Rainbow Dash is awesome."
They soon saw Korrina skating with other rollerbladers. She saw the girls and motioned them to come over. Just then, a rollerblader with flowing red hair skated down a ramp and tackled Sunset.
"Sunset!" Sunny and Izzy gasped.
Sunset recovered and saw this girl. She has on a blue T shirt, black spandex shorts, and has an angry look on her face.
"What was that about?" Sunset asked nervously.
The girl grabbed her by her shirt and unleashed her fury. "You hateful bully! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"What? What did I do to..."
WHAM!
The girl slapped her in the face. Soon she kept slapping her around.
"You're the menace of Canterlot High School!" The girl shrieked as she continues with the slapping. "You hurt a lot of people. Especially when you became a SHE-DEMON!!"
Taking off her skates, she threw Sunset onto the floor and started to kick her. "You ARE the mastermind of Anon-A-Miss! Everybody felt embarrassed because of you!"
Seeing enough, Izzy and Sunny tried to stop this unnecessary assault. But, the girl stopped them. "Don't worry, girls. I'll deal with this monster."
Grabbing Sunset, the girl threw her out of the gym. Sunny and Izzy rushed over to check on her.
"You need to learn better manners before entering this gym." The girl shouted before grabbing the doors. "Now, BEAT IT!!!"
She slammed the doors closed. Sunset looked at the gym with tears in her eyes. She never felt so embarrassed. Izzy and Sunny helped her back to the Pokémon Center. The stranger watched them walk off as he walked out of the city laughing viciously. "Nobody can trust her now."

To be continued...

Okay, Trainers. If you guessed that it was Tyrogue: the Scuffle Pokémon, you’re right.