//------------------------------// // Battle at the Ball Factory // Story: Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos // by Brian Sheil //------------------------------// After changing into her regular clothes, Sunset talks to Starlight Glimmer who's busy at the Pokémon Sanctuary. "So, you have six badges." Starlight said. "That's right." Sunset replied. "I'm very proud of Croagunk for helping me clinch the win." "You must be extra proud of him for evolving into Toxicroak." "You bet. Did he make it to the sanctuary okay?" Starlight looks at Toxicroak as he stretches his muscles. "He's doing fine. I'm glad you decided to have Goldeen with you." "Ditto. Once I find a body of water, I'll let her swim for a bit. Bye." As soon as the videophone message is over, Izzy went to tell Sunset something. "Hey, Sunset. The Canterlot Movie Club was asking for you." Sunset was surprised to hear that. "I wonder what they want." BATTLE AT THE BALL FACTORY Sunset, Izzy, and Sunny were joined by Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo who told them about their nightmarish experience. "Garble struck again?" Sunset gasped. "He sure did." Scootaloo said nervously. "We were doing some training with our Pokémon when he and his two pals grabbed us from behind." "Next thing we know," Apple Bloom continued, "the three of us were bound and gagged in an abandoned cabin with our friends hanging from a net." Sweetie Belle had tears in her eyes. "That monster called our Pokémon nasty little monkeys. We were all heartbroken for that moment." "Apparently," Sunny figured, "Garble doesn't know a thing about Pokémon. How did you get away?" "Pansear used his Fury Swipes to rip open the net." Scootaloo said. "Then, they freed us, and we all got out of there." "I guess Garble is not done with his propaganda yet." Sunset said. "He probably lashed out on you because of what you tried to do to me. And, hoped that would continue." The three youngsters felt bad. But, Izzy hoped to cheer them up. "That part of your past is gone. So, don't worry about it." Apple Bloom realized that Izzy was right. "Thanks for the pep talk, Izzy. We need that." Later, the girls walk along the streets of Laverre City. "I'm surprised Sprout Cloverleaf didn't pop in to let me know where to go next." Sunset realized. "Probably busy with something." Sunny replied as she turns to Sweetie Belle. "So, where are you leading us?" "To the Poké Ball Factory." Sweetie answered. "Poké Ball factory?" Sunset gasped. "Sure. That's where Poké Balls are manufactured before being distributed all over Kalos." The girls arrived at a large building. Everybody was astounded. Scootaloo stepped up. "I'll find out if tours are being held." Scootaloo went ahead to check on the factory. Sunset is still amazed. "I wonder how Poké Balls were first made in this world of Pokémon." Sunset said. "Good question." Izzy replied. Suddenly, Scootaloo screamed and ran away from the factory. A man in a red suit started to chase her. Worried about their friend, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went off to save her from that goon. Sunset got mad, figuring what's going on. "Team Flare. THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN!!" Pokémon Quiz Hello, everybody. Sunset Shimmer here. Which Pokémon is often mistaken for a Poké Ball? Sunset and company went inside the factory. Sure enough, a male Team Flare grunt confronted them. "Sorry, ladies." The grunt mocked. "No tours today." He then called a Mightyena to battle them. Suddenly, a female voice called out. "Geodude, Rollout attack!" An object rolled into the room, and knocked out the Mightyena. The girls soon saw a boudler with arms and a face. Sunset soon took out her Pokédex. Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. The Pokédex said. Many people often step on these Pokémon by accident. "Where did this Pokémon come from?" Sunset asked. They soon heard a familiar squeaky voice. "From us." It turned out to be Pinkie Pie and Maud. They were all surprised at Maud's serious expression. "Get going, Sunset." Maud said with unexpected valor. "We'll handle any stragglers." Thinking Maud is right, the trio went ahead. Riding on conveyer belts, they hope to reach a main office. They encounter a male grunt with a bigger version of Houndour with curved horns. "That's Houndour's evolved form." Sunset said nervously. "Houndoom." Her Pokédex provided info. Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon and the evolved form of Houndour. If you hear any eerie howls, it could be a pack of Houndoom roaming. "Let me handle this." Sunny said as she throws a Poké Ball. "Let's go, Wartortle." Wartortle pops out and confronts the opponent. The grunt is not impressed. "Try this, brat! Houndoom, Smog!" Houndoom blew a nasty cloud at Wartortle. Sunny quickly reacted. "Wartortle, counter with Water Pulse!" Wartortle blew a hard stream of water through the smog and struck Houndoom. The grunt recalled his Pokémon and fled. "Good work, Wartortle." Sunny praised. At that moment, Wartortle glowed and grew. Moments later, Wartortle became a big turtle with cannons on his back. "Way to go, Sunny!" Izzy cheered. "Wartortle evolved into Blastoise." Sunset used her Pokémon to study Sunny's newest Pokémon. Blastoise, the Shellfish Pokémon and the evolved form of Wartortle. The Pokédex said. The cannons on its shell blast powerful streams of Water. As their quest inside the factory continues, they meet a female grunt with a giant trash bag with metal arms. Sunset's Pokédex gave some information. Garbodor, the Trash Heap Pokémon and the evolved form of Trubbish. The liquid they shoot is very toxic. Izzy stepped in to battle this poison Pokémon. "Go, Charmeleon." Charmeleon came out to fight Swalot. The female grunt looked unimpressed. "I'll put your fire out. Garbodor, Sludge Bomb!" Garbodor spit out blobs of poison. Izzy reacted fast. "Charmeleon, use Slash on those blobs!" Charmeleon slashed the sludge bombs away. Izzy gave it another command. "Time to turn up the heat, Charmeleon. Use Flamethrower!" He blew scorching fire at Garbodor. The female grunt recalled her Pokémon, and beat a hasty retreat. Charmeleon soon glowed and got bigger. Charmeleon soon became an orange dragon type Pokémon with fantastic dragon wings. "No way." Sunset gasped as she reached for her Pokédex. "A Charizard!" Charizard, the Flame Pokémon and the evolved form of Charmeleon. Said the Pokédex. It's always on the search for worthy opponents. Izzy and her Pokémon hugged each other. "Congratulations, Charizard." The trio soon made their way to the main office. They went in and saw the manager of the factory facing two vicious women with red suits and green sunglasses. One with long green hair, and another with short blue hair. They turned and saw Sunset and her friends. "So, you're this Sunset Shimmer girl who battled Aliana at the Power Plant." The blue haired girl said. "My name is Celosia, and my partner is Bryony. We're also Team Flare scientists." "We are swiping Poké Balls for an important mission." Bryony said. "And, you will not stop Team Flare!" Just as the mean girls are ready to battle, Pinkie Pie bursts in. "Hey! Can I join the party?" Pinkie Pie stood at Sunset Shimmer's side. "Mud Briar showed up. He and Maud will handle any grunts." "That's good news." Sunset said as she turned to the scientists. "Bring it on!" "Try handling this, Shimmer!" Bryony growled. "Sic 'em, Manetric!" Out pops a blue creature with yellow features that look light lightning bolts. Sunset looks at this beast with her Pokédex. Manetric, the Discharge Pokémon and the evolved form of Electrike. Said the Pokédex. It charges electricity in its muscles. This helps it from fatigue. "Here's for your poofy haired pal." Celosia said brutally. "Go, Liepard!" Out comes a purple cat like creature. Sunset studies this creature. Liepard, the Cruel Pokémon. The Pokédex said. It can zips across the night without making a sound. Pinkie Pie calls for her own Pokémon. "Let's go, Fraxure!" Out pops a bigger version of Axew with longer tusks. Sunset pulls out her Pokédex. "Fraxure. Pinkie’s Axew evolved?" Fraxure, the Axe Jaw Pokémon and the evolved form of Axew. The Pokédex said. This Pokémon sharpens its tusks to prepare for battle. Realizing that she has a battle of her own, Sunset calls for her own Pokémon. "Lucario, I choose you!" Lucario gets ready to fight. Bryony sees the Pokémon, and is not impressed. "Manetric, use Thunderbolt on that Lucario!" Manetric unleashed electricity on Lucario. Sunset reacts. "Quick, Lucario. Use Power up Punch!" Lucario breaks through the electricity and pounds on Manetric. This made Bryony mad. "You meddlesome brat!" Bryony yelled. "You'll pay for meddling in Team Flare's affairs." "Send me the bill." Sunset replied as she rubs on her bracelet. "The bond between Pokémon and trainer is always to be special." She then presses her keystone. "Now, my faithful fighter, MEGA EVOLVE!" Seeing Lucario Mega evolve, Celosia got scared. Pinkie Pie got her attention. "Your party's over, lady. Fraxure, Dual Chop!" Fraxure chopped Liepard twice. The Cruel Pokémon soon fainted. Meanwhile, Sunset is ready to finish her own battle. "Lucario, use Bone Rush!" Bringing out a large bone, Lucario whacked Manetric in the head. When he fainted, Bryony recalled him. "This loss is not a complete loss with us." Celosia said as she recalls her Liepard. "We did get a lot of Poké Balls." "Team Flare will meet you again, Sunset Shimmer." Bryony said as both Team Flare scientists leave the factory. "Thanks for your help, Pinkie." Sunset said happily. "No problem." Pinkie replied as she and Sunset hug each other. Later, outside the factory, Sunset and her friends are waiting for girls they met from the recent festival. They were asked to lend the girls their fully evolved Pokémon so they can be fitted to carry the Mega Stones. Soon, they come back. Venusaur has its stone in a ring surrounding the big red flower. Charizard wears a necklace type garment with its stone on it. Finally, Blastoise has a pendant on its neck with the stone on it. "They look cool." Sunset said. "Thank you." Nagisa was among the girls. "You're welcome. And, we have keystones on special accessories for your friends. A friendship bracelet for Sunny, and a necklace for Izzy." The girls received their gifts when Sprout Cloverleaf shows up. "I heard that Team Flare struck again." Sprout said. "That's right." Sunset replied as she and her friends recall their Pokémon. "Now, they stole lots of Poké Balls." "What can those creeps in red be up to?" Sunny asked. "I don't know." Sprout replied. "We'll probably find out eventually. Meanwhile, Gym Challenge number 7 is in Anistar City. I'll see you guys later." As Sprout heads out, Sunset and her friends head for the Pokémon Center to rest up. The big question is, what will Team Flare come up with next? End of Chapter 26 Pokémon Quiz Answer Okay, everyone. If you said that the answer is Voltorb: The Ball Pokémon, you’re right. SUNSET SHIMMER Pidgeotto Pikachu Venusaur Krokorok Lucario Goldeen At the Sanctuary Bibarel Delphox Kirlia Pancham Snorlax Toxicroak Crobat Skidoo Gabite SUNNY STARSCOUT Quilladin Fletchinder Blastoise Mareep IZZY MOONBOW Greninja Beedrill Kirlia Charizard Lapras