After arriving at Anemone town, Sky and Applejack gained some info. The farm girl contacted Celestia as she was able to help her sign up for the Pokémon League. Celestia also gave directions to the pair of the nearby Canterlot City, which served as the central threshold for the entire Equestrian Region. However, the strict requirements of having all other badges and six Pokémon meant the pair were qualified to challenge the Gym leader of that place.
However, serving as the central hub for the entire region, several roads lead away from it that would take the pair to the locations of the other gyms. So the pair stocked up and began their journey to Canterlot City. However, they made some new additions to their rosters along the way. For Applejack, she wowed Sky with her skills as she and Donphan were able to defeat and capture a Shroomish. As for Sky, he managed to catch a Noctowl who had been recently swiping stuff from local travelers. With the new additions to the team, it seemed like the teens were riding sky-high. Well, that is...
"Well, well," said a voice as their boot was shown.
The pair had run into someone who was blocking their path. The person in question was a girl around their age. Her features included moderate cyan eyes and vivid crimson hair with brilliant yellow stripes. She wore a dark magenta dress with a black leather jacket and boots. On her shoulder laid a Pokémon. It was a small bird with a bright orange head and pale purplish-gray body. The tips of its grayish wings were white and had a small black and white striped tail. It had round black eyes, a small black beak, and tiny black feet and talons.
"Well, well, seems I'm not the only one in these woods," spoke the girl. "So, mind telling me what you two are doing?"
"It's none of your business," said Sky as he had a scowl. Upon seeing the girl, he got a bad girl vibe from her as he kept his defense up and moved his arm to have Aj remain behind him.
"Sky!" said Applejack to her companion. "Sorry 'bout that. He didn't mean it. Howdy, I'm Applejack. What's your name?"
"Sunset Shimmer."
"Howdy, Sunset. Sky and I were just on our way to Canterlot City."
"What a coincidence. So was I," snickered the girl.
"In that case, why don't we all go together," suggested the farm girl.
"Don't make me laugh. I guess it's true what they say; you country folk aren't that bright."
"What did you say?!" growled Applejack as she took offense to what Sunset said.
"Leave her alone!" stated Sky. "Why don't you get lost?!"
"You don't tell me what to do, kid. I'm here to inform you both to not get in my way. My goal is to win the Equestrian League. Once I acquire all eight badges, it'll be a breeze." said Sunset with a smug smile.
"Please, you win? As if. If anybody is gonna win the Equestrian League. It's me!" declared Sky. "You're looking at the next champ, baby. And I'm not gonna let a bitch like you stand in my way or disrespect my friends!"
"You wanna repeat what you said to me, kid!" growled Sunset.
"Why don't you do something about it?!" said Sky as he stepped to the girl.
Both Sunset and Sky were touching foreheads as they glared at the other. Both teens felt their blood boil at just the sight of the other. Applejack observed the two as she could tell there was some bad blood between Sky and Sunset after meeting for the first time.
"You're gonna regret ever crossing me!" growled Sunset.
"Feeling froggy, jump!" countered Sky.
"So be it! Let's battle! Seeing as how you're also competing for the League."
"Sure, let's do it!" said Sky as both kept touching their foreheads as they glared at each other.
"We'll use three Pokémon. Three-on-three is the best way to see what type of Pokemon a trainer's good at working with and what kind of balance they've got!" said Sunset.
"Fine by me," answered Sky.
"But Sky, you don't have three-" Applejack didn't finish her statement as the boy silenced her.
Sunset removed herself from Sky as both teens turned and backed up. Applejack knew what was going on as she stood to the side. The boy and girl stood on opposite ends as the space between them was big enough to battle. The farm girl watched her companion as he stood there, took out a Pokeball, and stared at it.
I hope you know what you're doing, Sky.
I don't have three Pokémon, but I'm not gonna appear weak in front of Sunset. The last thing I want to show her is any hesitation or fear. I just gotta wrap this up quickly.
"Now, Turtwig, I choose you!" shouted Sky as he threw his ball.
"Turtwig!" shouted the green Pokémon as he appeared.
"Chimchar, show no mercy!" shouted Sunset.
The girl threw her Pokeball, and out came her Pokémon. Out came a chimp with a light-colored stomach, a little swirl at the top of its chest, and a flaming tail.
"Chimchar, the Chimp Pokémon. Chimchar's rear is always on fire, even when it stands in the rain. If it's not feeling well, the flame flickers weakly."
"Uh-oh," said Applejack as she saw the info about Sunset's Pokémon.
"After you," said Sunset as she allowed the boy to make the first move.
"Sky, you might want to switch!" shouted Aj.
"Turtwig use Tackle!" shouted Sky as he ignored what Applejack said.
Turtwig took off as he began to charge at Sunset and her Pokémon.
"What a dumbass!" said Sunset to Chimchar. "Dodge, then use Scratch!"
Chimchar nodded as it leaped into the air. Turtwig saw the chimp about to strike as it stopped its attack.
"Turtwig dodge it!" shouted Sky.
Turtwig quickly moved out of the way as Chimchar's hand came down to the ground and made a small hole appear from its power.
"Now use Razor Leaf!" commanded Sky.
Turtwig obeyed as it began to spin backward while shooting out its attack.
"Ember!" shouted Sunset.
Chimchar inhaled as it opened its mouth and spat out small specks of fire. The two attacks met in the middle as they were of equal power, causing a smoke explosion.
"Now, Bite!" shouted the boy.
Turtwig quickly changed to the offense as it was heading toward Chimchar. Even Applejack was impressed by how fast Sky could get Turtwig to switch from one attack to another with little time.
"Chimchar! Dig!" yelled Sunset.
"Huh?!" said Sky as he didn't expect that.
Chimchar cried as it leaped and burrowed into the ground leaving behind a hole. It got in at the last second as Turtwig missed its mark.
"Now use Scratch!" ordered Sunset.
Turtwig was now confused. The small thing was looking all around, trying to figure out where Chimchar was about to attack.
"It can't tell where the attack's coming from!" shouted Applejack to her companion.
At that moment, Chimchar emerged from the ground. The primate appeared behind Turtwig as it was about to strike.
"Turn around!" ordered Sky.
Everything moved in slow motion for a sec. Turtwig did as Sky ordered; sure enough, there were Chimchar moments away from attacking. Time resumed, and Chimchar landed a nasty swipe with its left hand. The attack sent the small Pokémon flying as he let out a painful cry.
"Turtwig! Bite!" shouted Sky.
Despite being hurled through the air, Turtwig could hear Sky's command. The small Pokémon landed on its feet as it skidded along the ground. Determined, it immediately pushed itself off and rocketed forward with its head.
"Chimchar, Dig!" said Sunset.
Chimchar executed the move as it burrowed into the ground once more. Leaving behind another hole as Turtwig just barely missed.
"Chimchar, use Scratch!"
Chimchar was now having fun with Turtwig as it popped in and out of the three holes it made. Turtwig was in the middle as he couldn't figure out where the chimp was or where the attack was coming from as its foe was toying with the small greenish creature.
Soon Chimchar emerged from the ground behind Turtwig. Sky was too slow to warn Turtwig as Chimchar got some good hits. Sunset's Pokémon was whaling on Turtwig with a barrage of Scratch attacks. Turtwig felt even more pain as it couldn't defend itself. The small thing was sent hurling through the air as it crashed and bounced along the ground before coming to a stop as it lay on its side.
"Alright, I've enough of this shit! Turtwig, aim Razor Leaf at the holes!" growled Sky.
Turtwig got up and did what Sky asked of. The small green Pokémon began to spin backward once more as it let loose Razor Leaf at the hole the Chimchar emerged from. Chimchar was shown grabbing onto its hind from another hole as it seemed the attack hit the Pokémon.
"Not bad..." said Sunset as she had to give Sky some props for being very creative. "Quick, Ember!"
Chimchar heard Sunset's command as it inhaled its breath. It then opened its mouth, letting loose another barrage of small specks of fire.
"Now, Turtwig, in the hole!"
Turtwig did as its trainer commanded and managed to avoid Chimchar's Ember attack as it hit the ground and a dirt cloud appeared.
"Nice one!" said Applejack as she was impressed that Sky was using the holes Chimchar made for its own use.
"Impressive, but... I thought you might do that," said Sunset smugly.
"Huh?" expressed Sky.
"Aim Ember at that hole!"
"Oh no!" shouted the boy.
Chimchar smiled as it inhaled for the third time. It let loose specks of fire as they were aimed at the hole Turtwig jumped in. They entered the hole just like Turtwig did, using Razor Leaf to hit Chimchar; the same result occurred to the small Pokémon. The other two holes were shown having flames come out of them as Turtwig was shot out and caught in the pillar of fire. It screamed in pain as the fire was super effective.
"Gees, that's gotta hurt," said Applejack as she could tell Turtwig took massive amounts of damage from that simple Fire attack.
"Now, Turtwig, use Synthesis!" ordered Sky.
Turtwig then looked at the sun as its entire body began to glow. The boy ordered his Pokémon to regain health after taking such a massive effective attack from Chimchar.
"Not so fast! Use Flame Wheel!" stated Sunset.
The girl wasn't allowing Turtwig to heal as she ordered Chimchar to keep attacking. The chimp opened its mouth and then began to spin around as a wheel of fire was made and began to head toward the grass Pokémon with Chimchar inside.
"Turtwig, back in the hole!" shouted Sky as he had to cut the move short before Turtwig could fully heal itself.
"Twig?" said the Pokémon as he looked at his trainer with a confused look. Based on what previously happened, he'd figured that Sky would want to avoid another scenario like that.
"Sky, what are you doing? Sunset is just gonna do the same thing as before!" said Applejack, trying to warn her companion.
Chimchar was getting dangerously close as it was moments away from reaching Turtwig. The Pokémon was still trying to figure out what its owner was doing as he shifted back and forth between the oncoming threat and the boy.
"You're gonna hafta trust me, buddy!" said Sky to his partner.
Turtwig putting its full faith in its owner, nodded to itself. Determined, it jumped into the hole in front of it as the attack barely scraped it. Chimchar missed as it kept rolling before turning around and stopping in front of the hole Turtwig was in.
"You should have listened to your girlfriend," snickered Sunset. "Aim Ember at the hole and wrap this up!"
Chimchar looked down at the hole as it started to inhale.
"Turtwig! Use Bite!" called out Sky.
Turtwig emerged from the hole with its mouth open and attached itself to Chimchar's head. The chimp felt biting from the attack as it tried to shake off the small creature, but Turtwig sank its jaws and held on.
"Chimchar down in the hole!" ordered Sunset.
Despite feeling pain from Turtwig biting its head, Chimchar managed to do as Sunset said and jumped into the hole with Turtwig still attached.
"What she's up to?" muttered Sky to himself.
"Flame Wheel!" said Sunset with a set of evil eyes.
"Hey, Sky! Turtwig can't dodge in there!" shouted Applejack. Without either Pokémon or trainer to see the other, Sky couldn't give the command to Turtwig to let go of Chimchar to move.
"Turtwig, get out of there!" shouted Sky with panic.
The boy was hoping his voice could reach the Pokémon so that he could avoid the attack that Chimchar was about to launch. But he was too little too late. The holes on the ground before him all shot out pillars of fire. Inside one of them was Chimchar, as the chimp managed to get Turtwig removed from its head. The small grass Pokémon was also shown, but the flames around it were burning him up as he let out a painful scream.
The flames soon died as Chimchar landed on the ground, with Turtwig hitting the ground as he had some scuffs along its body.
"Turtwig!" said Sky as he was concerned for his Pokémon. "Turtwig, are you okay?"
"Twig," responded Turtwig weakly, as while it managed to get back on all fours, it was clear he sustained heavy damage.
"Aren't you done yet?" mocked Sunset as she could see that this was a losing effort.
"We're done when we WIN! Use Tackle!" yelled Sky.
Turtwig charged forward with power and speed as it was heading toward Chimchar.
"Quick, Flame Wheel!" said Sunset.
Chimchar opened its mouth as the fire was coming out. The chimp spun in a circle as the flames engulfed it. The Pokémon was heading toward Turtwig as the two attacks were met in a full-on collision. Both attacks collided as they stood still, trying to push the other away and gain the advantage. For a few moments, neither side was giving an inch. Soon an explosion occurred as a result of both attacks making contact.
"Turtwig, no!" shouted Sky as he worried about his Pokémon.
The smoke cleared as there revealed two figures. One of them was standing as the other lad on the floor. Turtwig was shown having swirls for eyes as he was ultimately defeated.
"What an easy win," smirked Sunset as she stood there smugly.
Sky was heartbroken when he saw his partner Pokémon at his feet. He fell to his knees as he picked Turtwig.
"I'm sorry, Turtwig. I did my best, but I let you down."
"Twig," said Turtwig as he did his best to reassure Sky that it wasn't his fault.
"Thanks, get some rest," said Sky as he pulled out his Pokeball and recalled his partner.
"So have you finally given up?" taunted Sunset.
"The battle isn't over yet. Noctowl, I choose you!" shouted Sky as he got back up, even more fired up as he called out his second Pokémon.
Noctowl emerged as it flew above Sky. For the boy was motivated to avenge his fallen comrade and beat Sunset.
"You don't know when to quit? Fine. I willing to knock some reality into your ass!" smirked Sunset. "Flame Wheel, go!"
Chimchar opened its mouth and turned into a wheel as the flame enveloped it.
"Noctowl, dodge and then use Air Slash!" ordered Sky.
Noctowl began to take evasive actions as he flew in all directions. Chimchar was on its tail as it leaped into the air; Noctowl saw it as did a sharp upside barrel roll behind the Pokémon. The owl then put its wings together as a sphere made of wind formed. It then launched the attack, colliding with Chimchar as it was hit in the back.
"Get up!" shouted Sunset.
"Noctowl, use Hypnosis!" said Sky.
Chimchar was getting on its hands and knees as the owl appeared before it. Noctowl stared into Chimchar's eyes as a slightly visible beam shot out. The chimp was soon under the effect as it yawned and began to close its eyes. Chimchar was fully under the spell as it lay on the ground, fast asleep.
"You got to be shitting me! Get up!" shouted Sunset to Chimchar. The girl tried shouting at her Pokémon to wake up, but Chimchar was exhausted. With all the energy it spent battling Turtwig, it was almost impossible for Chimchar to do anything.
Alright, this kid knows some stuff. Having a Noctowl that knows Hypnosis, gotta at least give him credit for that.
"What's wrong, Sunset?" taunted Sky as he could see the anger on the girl's face; in a way, it made her look cute. "Noctowl, finish this with Sky Attack!"
Noctowl gave a screech as it soared into the air. It was shown above the trees as it then dove down. Its body was covered in a shiny aura heading toward where Chimchar was sleeping. Within a few seconds, the owl made contact as an explosion occurred. After the dust cleared, Noctowl was shown flapping in the air as on the ground below was Chimchar, who had swirls for eyes.
"Alright! Great work, Noctowl!"
The owl gave a cry as it flew over to Sky. It perched itself on his arm as the boy gave it props and ran his fingers through its feathers. Sunset, on the other hand, was not pleased as she had her Pokeball out and recalled Chimchar.
"Kid's not half bad," said Sunset looking at the Pokeball in her hand as she put it away.
Sunset was now looking at Sky as the boy still smiled and congratulated Noctowl for his victory. For a moment, Sunset saw Sky as it flashed and was replaced by someone else. That someone was the girl herself when she was younger. Safe to say, the girl was being reminded of a pastime. A time when she was just like Sky. Where bonding with Pokémon allowed their true strength to shine through and where the impossible, no matter how the odds may be stacked against you, could be possible.
But that was in the past. Right now, the girl's new focus was all about winning. It wasn't about relishing a fluke win to catapult you to success. The only thing that you could count on was your skills. That was the difference between the main event that lasted one night and the main event that was life-altering.
"Fletchling," said the small bird perched on Sunset's shoulder.
"Get out there! Prove your worth!" demanded Sunset.
"Fletchling," said the tiny bird.
While he sounded confident, the tiny bird was hesitant about battling. He wanted to prove to Sunset that he wasn't a mistake and that by her taking him in, he wasn't the weak link that she assumed him to be multiple times.
"Ready for another victory, Noctowl?" asked Sky.
The bird screeched as his answer. He flapped his wings as he took off and hovered in the air. Across from it was Fletchling as the two birds were about to due battle above.
"Time for a good old fashion air battle!" stated Sky.
"What Pokémon is that?" wondered Applejack as she saw Sunset's bird; she pulled out her Pokedex for some answers.
"Fletchling, the Tiny Robin Pokémon. Fletchling is generally a calm, friendly, and easy partner for a beginning trainer, but it battles with a fierce determination when called upon. In the excitement, its body temperature spikes sharply."
"A Flying-type. So that makes it an equal battle. Though Noctowl ain't no pushover. It took a lot for Sky to beat it, especially since it knows Hypnosis. But then again, we don't know what tricks Sunset is gonna pull out." said Applejack as she scanned the two birds high up.
"If you're not gonna make the first move, I will. Noctowl, use Hypnosis!"
"Fletchling, Double Team!" shouted Sunset.
Fletchling heard Sunset's command as multiple versions of itself spawned. Noctowl was initially taken aback by it as he saw the many tiny birds. The owl stopped its Hypnosis attack as he saw all the birds flying toward him. They were now circling around him as the owl turned its head in all directions trying to figure out what to do.
"Noctowl, stay calm. Use Extrasensory!" ordered Sky.
Noctowl's eyes glowed once more as they shot out some beams. The attack affected all of the copies of Fletchling as they began to disappear. They soon disbursed as there was none left.
"Where is it?!" asked Applejack as she was stunned to see that the real one was nowhere to be seen.
Noctowl was flapping in place with its head turning in all directions. The owl was trying to see if it could spot where its opponent was. Emerging from behind, as he was hiding among the tree tops while his copies distracted his foe, was Fletchling coming at it with high speed.
"Behind you!" shouted Sky.
"Use Steel Wing!" shouted Sunset.
Fletchling had its wings glow as they soon turned into steel. Noctowl heard Sky's command but was turned too late as it was speared in the stomach by the smaller bird. Noctowl was sailing through the air for a bit.
"Follow it up with Double Team!" ordered Sunset.
"Fletchling!" shouted the tiny bird as he made more copies appear.
Noctowl shook off the attack as it looked up and saw the many duplicates.
"Now use Steel Wing!" shouted the bacon-haired teen.
The Fletchlings began to race toward the bigger bird as they all had their wings glow. They raced one after the other, zipping in and out of frame, bombarding Noctowl with an assault of attacks.
"Noctowl!" said Sky as he saw his Pokémon constantly attacked without room to counter.
"Follow it up with Razor Wind!" shouted Sunset.
The copies of Fletchlings all disappeared as only the real one remained. It charged up its wings again this time; they shot out wind in the shape of saw blades. The attack hit Noctowl as the bird was sent to the ground and crashed.
"Noctowl, you okay?" asked Sky as his owl sat up and shook its feathers.
"Fletchling," said the tiny bird in front of Sunset.
"Don't celebrate yet!" growled the girl to her Pokémon. "Use Peck!"
Fletchling nodded as it flew forward with its tiny beak glowing.
"Noctowl, counter using Sky Attack!" shouted the boy.
Noctowl quickly took off from the ground upwards. Fletchling changed its direction and followed the bird up. Sky's owl flew to the tree tops before turning around and having its body glow. It then tucked in its wings and sailed back through the air towards Fletchling. The tiny bird was still using its Peck attack as both met in the middle.
Both birds were trying to gain the upper hand in this stalemate. They tried to push back the other as they applied more strength to their attacks. Soon an explosion occurred as it blocked both Sunset and Sky's field of vision. The collision from both attacks was so powerful that both birds sustained damage and were flung back.
"Noctowl, use Air Slash!" shouted Sky.
Noctowl, despite being flung back, had its wings together as it managed to make a sphere of wind appear. It was fired as it collided with Fletchling, who was still being flung back from the damage it took. It failed to see the attack as it hit the tiny bird square and fell to the ground, taking even more damage.
"Fletchling," groaned the tiny bird as it tried to get up.
"Get up, you piece of shit!" shouted Sunset.
The girl's threat got the tiny bird to get up less as he didn't want to suffer her wrath. Fletchling was covered in scars and scuff as it shook its feather. Noctowl recovered as it was flying by Sky's face.
"Noctowl, use Extrasensory!" ordered the boy.
Noctowl launched its attack as it managed to grab hold of Fletchling. The tiny bird was in its grasp as it tried to move but couldn't. It was lifted into the air and then tossed to the ground per Sky's order as a small dust cloud picked up and a crater was formed. Fletchling struggled to move as it felt the pain of all the damage it took. It looked over at Sunset as the girl was anything but pleased.
"I guess you really are worthless," stated Sunset to her Pokémon's face.
That alone made Fletchling sad as it seemed to be letting Sunset down.
"I'll deal with you later!" growled the girl as she pulled out her Pokeball and was about to recall her Pokémon.
"Fletchling!" stated the tiny bird as he quickly stood up and took off before Sunset could shout return.
The tiny bird had flames in its eyes as it soared toward Noctowl. Fletchling's body temperature was heating up as he was going to defeat the bigger bird. Fletchling then executed its Double Team attack without Sunset giving it a command.
"Here it comes, Noctowl. Remember, only one of them is real. Use Air Slash and knock them all down!" ordered Sky.
Noctowl then began to charge up an orb of wind.
"If you're gonna attack, listen to me!" growled Sunset as she was upset that her Pokémon was doing things independently and not listening to her as it should be. "Use Peck!"
"Let it rip, Noctowl!"
Noctowl fired the sphere of wind as it took out a huge group of copies. It charged up another sphere as it took out another section. Noctowl began to fly as the remaining Fletchlings followed it. They were moving in and out of the nearby trees as they chased after Noctowl. The owl did a U-turn around a tree as the Fletchlings rounded. Noctowl let loose another Air Slash attack as it took the remaining copies head-on as a smokescreen happened. Emerging from the smokescreen was a single Fletchling.
"That's the one. Dodge and use Air Slash once more!" said Sky.
Noctowl saw Fletchling getting closer as it juked out the tiny bird and soared up to power another sphere of air. It launched the sphere and collided with Fletchling as it fell to the grass.
"Let's wrap this up; use Sky Attack!" said the boy.
Noctowl tucked in its wings and fell into a free dive as its body glowed. It was gaining speed as it looked to end the battle. Sky was smiling as Noctowl was about to hit Fletchling. Just then, it disappeared. That caught the boy and the owl off guard as Noctowl applied the brakes hard to avoid crashing into the ground. It hovered in the air as it was still stunned. Coming from behind was the real Fletchling, as the one the pair attacked was merely a clone.
"Use Razor Wind!" smiled Sunset.
"Fletchling!" shouted the tiny bird as it powered up its attack. Its wings glowed as it shot out wind saw blades.
"Noctowl, look out!" shouted Sky.
The owl turned as it was hit in the face by the attack; it was sent sailing into a tree. It hit back first into the bark.
"Steel Wing!" yelled the bacon-haired girl.
"Fletchling!" shouted the tiny bird as it raced ahead as fast as possible.
Its wing was turned to steel as it zoomed in on its target. Noctowl was on the tree's bark as it shook its head. He looked up and saw the tiny bird moments from about to hit him. Fletchling cried as the screen went back as a slash effect was shown. It then had the entire background in white as the only objects on the screen were the tree, Fletchling's shadow, and Noctowl's shadow.
Everything reverted to color as the branches on the tree were cut off and fell to the ground. Noctowl then hit the ground as it lay there. Its eyes had swirls as it was defeated.
"Noctowl!" shouted Sky as loud as he could.
The bird lay on the floor as he wasn't moving. Sky slumped to his knees as he had his arms to his side. Fletchling appeared by Sunset's face as the girl turned to look at the tiny bird. He was expecting her to be happy that it managed to defeat a larger and more powerful bird than itself, but that was anything but the case. The girl had a pissed-off look at her tiny bird.
"Sorry, Noctowl. I let you down," said Sky as he pulled out his Pokeball and recalled his Pokémon.
"Call out your last Pokémon and let's get this over with!" demanded Sunset.
Sky heard Sunset's statement as it showed his hands turning into fists. Sky continued to stay still for a few moments as Sunset got impatient.
"I said, bring out your last Pokémon!" growled the teen as she felt like the boy was stalling.
"I... I don't have a third Pokémon," confessed Sky in a sad tone as he kept his head down, not letting Sunset see his face.
"WHAT?!" yelled Sunset.
"I only had two."
"And you accepted my challenge despite not having three Pokémon?! Any trainer would have at least three Pokémon by the time they reach Canterlot City!" stated Sunset as she continued to address Sky. The boy didn't answer as he still had his head down. "Thanks for wasting my time. And you!"
"Fletchling," said the tiny bird.
"If you were faster with that Peck attack earlier, you would've won the battle without suffering too much damage!"
"Fletchling," responded the tiny bird with a sad face.
"Next time, listen to what I say!" growled Sunset as she recalled her Pokémon.
"Seriously?! After all that Fletchling did! Being able to take someone bigger than it, and that's how you treat it!" growled Sky as he didn't like how Sunset treated the tiny bird for all its hard work.
"Did I ask for your opinion? No! So stay the hell out of my business involving my Pokémon. As far as I'm concerned, skill and talent are the only ways to win every battle." said Sunset.
"Well, I think you're wrong. See, you gotta have heart and a bond with your Pokémon. Any Pokémon can get stronger if you're willing to train and take the time to understand it on a deeper level." responded Sky.
"Heart? And where has that heart gotten you? Losing to me, that's what. I'm outta here. Next time, make sure you're prepared. I don't want you to waste my time again Consider this battle unsanctioned." said Sunset as she turned to leave.
"Hold up!" shouted Sky.
"Let her go, sugarcube," said Applejack as she put her hand on Sky's shoulder as she was trying to hold the boy back from doing something rash. "It's not worth it."
"Yeah? Well, I'm never losing to her again! Next time, Sunset's going to be real SORRY!" growled Sky as he lifted his head as his eyes were focused as they had ever been.
"We'll worry about that later. Right now, we have to get to Canterlot City so Noctowl and Turtwig can get healed."
"Right, come on, Aj," said Sky as he got up and began to run with the farm girl trailing behind him.
After a fierce encounter with Sunset, it seems both teens had different ideologies and battling styles. Sky smarting from a humiliating defeat, it begged whether or not his vow of beating Sunset would be realized. One thing was for sure, the small exchange between trainers was only the first of many chapters to come in this epic, storied rivalry that was about to be told. As the journey continues.
Author's Note: And so our hero has met his match. With the introduction of his rival, Sky now has a mission and that's to beat Sunset. And based on the Pokemon that Sunset showed off, you can get an idea of what the final evolutions she will have when we reach the Equestrian League. As of right now, Sunset has three Pokemon. While she didn't reveal her third one due to Sky only having two and it being an unsanctioned match, she has revealed that she possessed a Chimchar and a Fletchling. As always leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.