//------------------------------// // A Flare Up in the Mountains // Story: Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos // by Brian Sheil //------------------------------// In the Pokémon Center at Dendemille Town, Sunset Shimmer and her friends rested after traveling. Sunset has on a emerald green winter coat and her sneakers are replaced by black boots. Sunny wore a yellow coat over a blue long sleeve shirt, a pair of teal sweatpants, and white boots. And, Izzy has on a purple coat over a white shirt, gray pants, and beige winter boots. "Twilight was right about things being cold around this town." Izzy said. "Good thing we had these winter clothes with us." "I agree." Sunset replied. "I rather face the cold rather than those creeps from Team Flare." "Are you still upset about what Team Flare have been doing?" Sunny asked. "Definitely. First, they invade a power station. Then, they rob a Poké Ball factory. Those creeps in red are getting reckless." As Sunset was venting, Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon walked in to talk to her. "Hey, Sunset." Lyra greeted. "How are you doing? Sunset soon spotted the duo. "Oh. Hi, Lyra. Not that good recently." "What's the matter, Sunset?" "Two words. Team Flare!" Bon Bon was surprised to hear that response. "Those guys again?" A FLARE UP IN THE MOUNTAINS Lyra and Bon Bon are talking to Sunset about these red suited fiends. "I can't believe those characters stole a bunch of Poké Balls." Lyra said. "That's crazy." "Don't we know it." Izzy replied. "Between the Power Plant and the Poké Ball Factory, those guys are planning something. Something big." "But, let's talk about you guys." Sunny said. "How are your Pokémon? "They're pretty good." Bon Bon replied as she and Lyra took out their Poké Balls. "In fact, our Burmys have evolved." They threw the balls in the air. "Check them out." Out popped a plumper version of Burmy with a grassy body and a moth like creature with golden wings. "Awesome." Sunset said as she pulls out her Pokédex. "A Wormadam and a Mothim." The Pokédex first explains about the bug with the grassy cloak. Wormadam, the Bagworm Pokémon and the evolved form of the female Burmy. When the female evolves, the cloak becomes a permanent part of the body. Then, it shifts to the moth. Mothim, the Moth Pokémon and the evolved form of the male Burmy. This Pokémon has a taste for honey belonging to a Combee. "We didn't know how our Burmys evolve until it happened." Bon Bon said. "Lyra had a male and I had a female." "It turned out pretty cool." Lyra added. Sunset stepped outside. Suddenly, she saw a familiar person. "Professor Sycamore!" Sunset gasped. "Hello, Sunset." Sycamore greeted. "I was told you would be here." "What can I do for you?" Sycamore gave Sunset some information. "I would like to explain about a legendary Pokémon." Sunset was surprised to hear about it. "I heard of legendary Pokémon throughout all eight regions. Which legend am I to learn of here in Kalos?" "The legendary Pokémon in question is named Xerneas. This Pokémon is known to give life to plants and Pokémon. Making them full of life and vitality." "Wow. I'd like to meet such a Pokémon." "I'm sure you would. Well, I've got to go. Enjoy your journey." As Professor Sycamore left, Sunny and Izzy caught up with Sunset. "There you are." Sunny said. "Where were you?" " I was talking to Professor Sycamore." Sunset replied. "He told me of a legendary Pokémon." "Sycamore was here? DANG! We missed him." "I'm sure we'll run into him another time." Izzy said as she turned to Sunset. "Anyway, Lyra and Bon Bon told us that there may be good ice Pokémon at Frost Cavern." "I can use an ice type." Sunset replied. "Let's go." Pokémon Quiz This is Sunset Shimmer with you. Which Legendary Pokémon is a bird of ice? The girls made their way to Frost Cavern. They soon saw a huge mammoth with giant tusks. Sunset learns of this creature. Mamoswine, the Twin Tusk Pokémon. The Pokédex said. These Pokémon have been said to be around since the last ice age. "And, I thought Snorlax is huge." Sunset said. They see that Mamoswine is upset. An Ace Trainer came out to talk to the girls. "This Mamoswine is always helpful in taking people to Anistar City." The trainer said. "But, not right now." "How come?" Sunny asked. "He feels there's something wrong in the cavern." Sunset felt this Pokémon's pain. "Don't worry, Mamoswine. We're on our way to Frost Cavern anyway. We'll find out what's going on." The Mamoswine felt a little better as the trio made their way into the cavern. As they explore the icy cave, they saw what looks like a living piece of ice. "That's a Bergmite, the Ice Chunk Pokémon." Izzy informed. Sunset's Pokédex comes alive with information. Bergmite, the Ice Chunk Pokémon. If cracks form on its body, Bergmite uses it's ice breath to repair itself. Sunset calls for an unusual choice. "Pidgeotto, I choose you!" "Isn't Pidgeotto at a disadvantage here?" Sunny asked. "Maybe. But, I have faith in my Pokémon." Bergmite fires a block of ice. Sunset quickly reacted. "Dodge it. Then, use Twister!" After dodging the ice, Pidgeotto whips up a tornado to lift it up in the air. Sunset takes out a black Poké Ball with yellow stripes on it, then throws it. "Ultra Ball, GO!" The ball hits Bergmite, then absorbs it. After a few shakes, the ball clicks. Then, vanishes. "Great job, Sunset." Izzy praised. "You got the Bergmite." Suddenly, Pidgeotto started to glow. The girls know that it's ready to evolve. Pidgeotto grew bigger and developed a yellow streak in the middle of its head. "My Pidgeotto evolved into a Pidgeot!" Sunset cheered. She then studied it. Pidgeot, the Bird Pokémon and the evolved form of Pidgeotto. Said the Pokédex. The colors on its chest is always a pleasant sight. "Now, it's my turn." Sunny announced. "I see a Vanillite." Sunny pointed to a small floating ice cream cone creature. The Pokédex gives some good information. Vanillite, the Fresh Snow Pokémon. Very popular in Alola. That's because hugging this Pokémon is a good way to cool off. "You're up, Fletchinder!" Sunny called. Fletchinder comes out to battle. Vanillite fires a spear of ice. Sunny reacted. "Quick, Fletchinder. Use Flame Charge!" Flaming up, Fletchinder increases it's speed, and strikes Vanillite. Sunny quickly throws a Poké Ball, and catches Vanillite. "I got a Vanillite!" Sunny cheered. "Good work, Fletchinder." Just then, the glow of evolution surrounds Fletchinder. Soon, the Ember Pokémon becomes a bigger red bird with black tips on its wings. "Congratulations, Sunny." Sunset said as she pulls out her Pokédex. "Your Fletchinder evolved into Talonflame." Talonflame, the Scorching Pokémon and the evolved form of Fletchinder. The Pokédex said. This Pokémon can swoop on prey with incredible speeds. Then, out steps a lime green girl with kelly green hair. Wearing an orange coat, purple pants and white sneakers, she talks to Sunset. "Sunset Shimmer. I thought I'd recognized your voice.” "Wallflower Blush!" Sunset gasped. "This is a surprise." The two friends hugged each other. Sunset then looks at her old friend. "So, venturing out of your comfort zone. Huh?" "I sure am." Wallflower said. "I decided to do some traveling as well." A little tree shaped creature walked next to Wallflower. "This little fellow decided to come with me." "That's a Snover, the Frost Tree Pokémon." Sunset takes out her Pokédex. Snover the Frost Tree Pokémon. Most of the year, they live up on the mountains. After recalling Talonflame, Sunny walked up to Snover. "Aw. He's so cute." Suddenly, they hear a large growl from within the cave. "What was that?" Izzy wondered. "Let's go see." Sunset replied. "I'm coming with you." Wallflower said. "Maybe I can help." The group saw some strangers targeting a giant snow creature. Wallflower recognized the beast. "That's Snover's evolved form, Abomasnow." Sunset's Pokédex comes alive with info. Abomasnow, the Frost Tree Pokémon and the evolved form of Snover. It creates blizzards to hide itself from danger. They watched two woman in red suits agitate the Abomasnow. Meanwhile, a woman with blue hair in a ponytail and green sunglasses watched with glee. "Excellent." The woman said. "The more we agitate this Abomasnow, the stronger its Snow Warning becomes." Sunset steps up and gets the villains' attention. "Stop right there, Team Flare!" The evil women turned, and saw Sunset and company. "Are you talking to us?" The lead woman said. "Yes, I am." Sunset replied. "Who do think you are, hurting this Abomasnow?" "I'm Team Flare scientist Mabel. And, using the Poké Balls we stole from Laverre City, we're capturing this Pokémon." "You bullies!" Sunny shouted. "We're not letting you getting away with this!" The brutes stepped up, and summoned a Houndoom and Golbat. "Come out, Blastoise!" Sunny called. "Let's do this, Charizard!" Izzy said. Their Pokémon are ready for battle. Mabel steps up to confront them. "That leaves you and me, bacon hair!" Mabel said as she summons her Pokémon. "Go, Scrafty!" Out pops a marigold creature with a mohawk style hairdo and extra skin on its lower body. Sunset studies this creature. Scrafty, the Hoodlum Pokémon. The Pokédex said. They use their saggy skin to defend itself from attack. Sunset calls for her Pokémon. "Go, Venusaur." Venusaur faces Scrafty. Sunset rubs her keystone on her bracelet. At that moment, Sunny rubs the keystone on her bracelet, and Izzy holds on to her special necklace. "A bond between Pokémon and trainer, " Sunset chanted. "is always special." Sunny chanted. "And, will never break apart." Izzy chanted. Then, all three shouted, "MEGA EVOLVE!!" The three Pokémon glowed with energy. Venusaur's plants all bloomed, Charizard went from Orange to grayish blue, and Blastoise has one large cannon on its back and two smaller cannons on its arms. "So, this is what Mega Evolution is all about." Wallflower said. "I'm not impressed." Mabel mocked. "Crush them!" The Team Flare Pokémon attacked. The girls fought back. "Venusaur, use Petal Blizzard on Scrafty." Sunset said. Venusaur unleashed a bunch of petals on Scrafty. Sunny followed it up. "Blastoise, use Hydro Pump on Houndoom!" Blastoise used all three cannons on Houndoom. Izzy finished it up. "Charizard, use Flamethrower on Golbat!" Charizard blasted Golbat with blue flames. Mabel gave an order to her soldiers. "RETREAT!" They all recalled their Pokémon and ran away. Sunset went over to comfort Abomasnow. "You're safe now, Abomasnow. Those bad people are gone now." Being grateful, Abomasnow presents Sunset a Mega Stone. Wallflower looked at the stone. "That's a piece of Abomasite. It helps an Abomasnow Mega evolve." Sunset presents the crystal to Wallflower. "I think you should have this." Wallflower Blush was surprised. "Me?" "Of course. Your Snover will eventually evolve into an Abomasnow. So, you should be ready when that happens." The green skinned girl accepts the gift. "Thanks, Sunset. I appreciate this. Your two travel mates are okay with me." Izzy and Sunny blushed. Later, the girls returned to Dendemille Town to rest up in the Pokémon Center. "Wallflower Blush is a nice person." Izzy said. "Where did she go anyway?" "She told me that she's going to get more info about Team Flare's master plan." Sunset replied. "If they have one." "In the meantime," Sunny added, "it's back to our own journey for us." The three girls raise glasses they used for their drinks. "Next stop," Sunny said. "Anistar City!" Izzy finished. "And, Gym Battle number seven." Sunset added. They put their glasses together, cheering for possible gym victory for Sunset. End of Chapter 29 Pokémon Quiz Answer Okay, trainers. If you said that the bird of ice is Articuno: The Freeze Pokémon, you’re right. SUNSET SHIMMER Pidgeot Kirlia Krokorok Lucario Skidoo Goldeen At the Sanctuary Delphox Pikachu Bibarel Venusaur Pancham Snorlax Croagunk Crobat Gabite Bergmite SUNNY STARSCOUT Quilladin Talonflame Blastoise Flaaffy Vanillite IZZY MOONBOW Greninja Beedrill Kirlia Charizard Lapras