After suffering a loss from Rockhoof in their first encounter, Applejack was sent into a spiral of sadness. However, she was soon able to come to terms with it as she arrived just in time to see Sky win his battle and earn his first Equestrian League Badge. Following that, the country gal began to put in some extra training to prepare for her rematch with Rockhoof. And with the help of Sky, she managed to evolve her Shroomish into Breloom. They soon arrived at the gym where Rainbow Dash had finished her bout and managed to win her second badge. Now, with the rematch set, can Applejack use all the new training she learned from her friend to win her first badge and begin her journey to the Equestrian League?
Morning came as Applejack was shown in front of the gym's entrance.
"Ready, Aj?" said Sky as he and the other girls were behind the farm girl.
"Ready!" stated the country gal as she tipped her hat.
Applejack then walked to the doors as they opened up, and the entire group entered. Waiting for them was Rockhoof, as the gym leader was with one of his assistants by the front desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Applejack."
"Mornin', Rockhoof."
"Are you ready?" asked the Gym Leader.
"Ready!" declared Aj.
"Then's let's begin!" said Rockhoof as he led the teens into the room.
Sky and the girls made their way to the stands as they were looking forward to seeing their friend battle. Applejack stood on her side of the field as on the opposite side was Rockhoof. When Aj stepped to her side, she felt a bit more confident than before.
"I can tell that by that extra pep in your step, all the special training you put in means you're more determined than before," said Rockhoof.
"You bet! But I couldn't have done it without a little help," said Applejack as she looked in Sky's direction and gave the boy a smile.
"The battle between Applejack the challenger and Rockhoof the Gym Leader will begin. Each side will be allowed to use three Pokémon, and the battle will be over when one's side is all defeated. Furthermore, only the challenger will be allowed any substitutions. Let the battle begin!"
"Time to find out what Pokémon, Rockhoof will start with," said Applejack as she prepared for the worst.
"Onix, stand your ground!" shouted Rockhoof as he called out his first Pokémon.
"Alright then! Breloom, lend yer strength!" shouted Applejack as she threw her first Pokémon.
"Breloom!" shouted the Pokémon as it appeared.
"Huh? Applejack's Shroomish evolved?" said Fluttershy.
"That's not all she's learned," said Sky as he had a smile on his face.
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight.
"You'll see," said smiled the boy to his companions.
"I see your Pokémon evolved. However, evolution doesn't always determine a winner," said Rockhoof to the farm girl.
"Oh, I know! Which is why we learned some new moves. Breloom, Mach Punch!"
"Breloom!" shouted the Pokémon as it lunged forward at high speed.
"Onix, Stealth Rock!"
Onix heard the command as stone pillars began to form. Breloom reeled back its arm and delivered a hard right to Onix's body as the Pokémon felt it. It groaned but pushed past the pain as the pillars zoomed over to Aj's field side.
"Looks like Rockhoof is already preparing for Aj's substitutions," said Rainbow.
"Breloom, Bullet Seed!"
Breloom heard Aj's command as it opened its mouth and began rapidly firing seeds at Onix's face as the Pokémon felt the attack was super effective.
"When did Breloom learn Bullet Seed?" asked Twilight.
"Well, when Shroomish evolved, I checked the Pokédex, and as Breloom, it can learn Bullet Seed. So knowing that I figured it be better for Aj to have Breloom trade its Seed Bomb attack for a better versatile move. The only thing is, we needed another Pokémon who knew Bullet Seed to teach Breloom. And who else on Applejack's team knows Bullet Seed?" asked Sky.
"Heracross," gasped Twilight as she now understood Sky's logic.
"Bingo," smiled the boy.
"Onix, Double-Edge!" shouted Rockhoof.
"Breloom, intercept with Mach Punch!"
Breloom jumped onto one of the mounds on the field and leaped into the air. Onix began to glow as it aimed its head at the Pokémon, who brought its right arm down on it. Both clashed as each was held in position. They both backed up as they stood their ground.
"Leech Seed!"
"Dodge it, Onix!"
Breloom shot a seed at Onix as the large Pokémon slithered out of the way before it could take root. Onix then emerged as it was coming at the Pokémon.
"Onix, Slam!"
"Breloom, use your tail to get up in the air!" instructed Applejack.
Breloom did a flip as its tail launched the Pokémon into the air. It managed to help him to evade Onix's tail as it came slamming down just moments before he was hit. He was now eye to eye with Onix.
"Stun Spore!" shouted Applejack.
"Breloom!" shouted the Pokémon as it began to release a cloud of paralyzing dust.
The dust smacked Onix as it shook its head to swat away the cloud. Onix began to feel the effects of the Stun Spore as it wobbled a bit, and its eyesight began to get foggy.
"Onix!" shouted Rockhoof to his Pokémon.
"Let's wrap this up! Mach Punch!" gestured Applejack.
Breloom let out a rallying cry as it zoomed ahead. It was running toward Onix as the large Pokémon was still under the effects of Stun Spore. Not even Rockhoof could get Onix to listen based on the Gym Leader shouting a command for Onix to move. Breloom's right arm began to glow as it picked up speed and launched itself forward. Within a second, everything went black as a white background was shown. The only shadows on the screen were that of Breloom and Onix, with the former zooming past it as a slash sound was heard.
Everything returned to color as Breloom landed a few meters away from Onix and did a battle stance with its arm no longer glowing. In the background, Onix gave a painful cry as it fell to its side like a mighty oak in the forest that had been chopped down. Some dust occurred before it ceased, revealing the large Pokémon on the ground as it was defeated.
"Onix is unable to battle! The winner is Breloom!"
"Yeehaw! Nice one, Breloom!" cheered Applejack to her Pokémon.
"Breloom!" said the Pokémon to his trainer.
"Breloom sure is faster and more powerful than Shroomish was," said Rainbow as it seemed the evolution helped Applejack get in a better position than last time.
"It's only the first battle, Rainbow. We still got a long way to go. Which means anything can happen." said Sky.
"Onix, return!" said Rockhoof as he recalled his Pokémon. "Very good, my friend. Take a rest. I must commend you, Applejack. You're definitely stronger than your first attempt. However, so have I. Rhyhorn, stand your ground!"
Rockhoof called out his second Pokémon. The rhino appeared as it landed on the field and made a thud.
"Breloom, return!" said Applejack as she pulled out her Pokéball and recalled her Pokémon. "Good first round, bud. But take five for now."
"Why didn't Aj stick with Breloom? It didn't suffer any damage in its battle with Onix. Not to mention Stealth Rock is active." said Rainbow.
"Heracross! Lend me yer strength!" shouted Applejack as she selected her second Pokémon.
Heracross appeared as it landed on the ground. The pillars then appeared as they crashed into the bettle Pokémon. It emerged from the smoke cloud as it panted a bit.
"Interesting strategy choosing to swap out," said Rockhoof.
"Heracross, Bullet Seed!" instructed the farm girl.
Heracross opened its mouth as it began rapidly firing seeds heading toward Rhyhorn.
"Rhyhorn, Stone Edge!" instructed Rockhoof.
Stone began to circle Rhyhorn's body as the rhino sent them forward to collide with Heracross' Bullet Seed. The stones exploded upon impact; a few managed to overpower the seeds as they headed toward Heracross as the bettle Pokémon covered up while taking damage.
"Heracross!" shouted Applejack.
"Rhyhorn, Megahorn!"
Rhyhorn gave a cry as it charged forward. Its nose grew bigger as it aimed its sights on Heracross.
"Heracross, Focus Punch!"
Heracross had its wings out as it flew toward the charging rhino. Its arm began to glow as it reeled back before thrusting out and colliding with Rhyhorn as another clash in the middle was shown. Wind burst out as both held their ground. Heracross planted its feet on the ground as it stood up to get a better footing. Both Pokémon were trying to outmuscle the other in a test of strength.
Eventually, both jumped back a bit as they skidded along the ground.
"Rhyhorn, Rock Blast!" shouted Rockhoof.
"Smash it with Focus Punch!"
Rhyhorn made a boulder appear above its head as it tossed it at the bettle Pokémon. Heracross had its arms glow as it began to punch and swat the boulder away. Rhyhorn made more appear as Heracross kept swatting them to the side or smashing through them.
"Earthquake!" shouted Rockhoof.
Rhyhorn then slammed its front legs onto the ground as it began to shake.
"Heracross, Aerial Ace, to get up in the air!" shouted Aj.
Heracross got its wings out once more as it managed to get off the ground just as a piece of rock looked to jab it. The bettle managed to avoid the attack as it was safe in the air and looked down on its foe.
"Dive and use Bullet Seed!"
"Stone Edge!"
Rhyhorn made more stones appear before aiming them upwards. Heracross was diving as its mouth opened and fired off several seeds. The two attacks collided as it made a smoke cloud; Heracross then entered the smoke cloud as it was concealed. Rockhoof and Rhyhorn were trying to locate where the Pokémon was. Just then, Heracross emerged from the smoke right above the rhino.
"Focus Punch!"
"Heracross!" shouted the Pokémon; its right arm glowed, then brought it down on Rhyhorn's head, which seriously damaged the four-legged Pokémon.
"Rhyhorn, Megahorn!"
"Heracross, you use Megahorn as well!" said Applejack as Heracross skidded along the ground before pushing itself forward.
Both Pokémon clashed as their horns attacked like swords. Both were locked with each other as they began to bang against one another. Each could push the other back with its attacks before the other did the same. Rhyhorn and Heracross took a step back and then charged forward once more as their horns made a clanging sound that echoed around the gym.
"Heracross, Focus Punch!" said Applejack.
Heracross still had its horn locked with Rhyhorn's. The bettle then raised its right arm as it glowed. He then reeled it back before striking the rhino in the side of its face as it turned.
"Keep it up!" instructed the country gal.
Rhyhorn then locked its horn with Heracross once more as the bettle Pokémon made its left arm glow and delivered another punch to the rhino's face.
"Smart thinking by Aj. Rhyhorn only has one horn, so it can only defend against one attack. Whereas Heracross has its horn and arms. So while she has Heracross hold off Rhyhorn's attack, she can punch it using her Pokémon's body parts." said Twilight.
True to the smart girl's logic, that's exactly what Applejack was having Heracross do. Every time Rhyhorn used its horn to hold off Heracross' horn, the bettle Pokémon was damaging it with its arms as it threw punch after punch to its face. Soon Heracross started gaining ground as it pushed Rhyhorn back and delivered back-to-back Focus Punches to Rhyhorn's face as the Pokémon stumbled back. Heracross then reeled back its right arm as it yelled out, did an uppercut under Rhyhorn's chin, and sent the Pokémon into the air.
"Rhyhorn!" shouted Rockhoof as he witnessed his Pokémon launched into the air.
"Finish it with Megahorn!" yelled Applejack.
Heracross then took to the air as it flew to where Rhyhorn was. It then got above it as it dove down and had its horn glow. Heracross was gaining speed and momentum as the pair quickly headed to the ground. They crashed into the field as rocks flew into the air, and a hole was made. Heracross stood up as Rhyhorn lay by its feet with swirls in its eyes.
"Rhyhorn is unable to battle! The winner is Heracross!"
"That's number two!" shouted the girl in excitement.
"Applejack is really holding her own," said Fluttershy as they were impressed by how much control the country gal had over the battle.
"Nice work, Aj. All that training we did, is working. You're almost there. Just one final hurdle." said Sky as he had a smile on his face at how happy Applejack was.
Rockhoof recalled his Pokémon as he smiled and thanked Rhyhorn. He looked at Applejack, who gave Heracross a thumbs up. The Gym Leader began to clap as that got the attention of both trainer and Pokémon.
"Most impressive, Ms. Applejack. Taking down two of my Pokémon with unique strategies. I can only imagine where you learned that from." said Rockhoof as he looked in Sky's direction for a moment before turning back to the girl.
"Thanks, but... I can't take all the credit. I had some help from a friend," said Applejack as she looked at Sky, to which the boy smiled and winked.
"Indeed, well, I'm down to my last Pokémon. Let's see if you can beat it this time! Hippowdon, stand your ground!"
"Hippowdon!" roared the Pokémon as it made a huge thud.
"Heracross, return!" said Applejack as she recalled her Pokémon. "Good job. Now, Donphan, lend me your strength!"
"Donphan!" shouted the elephant as it appeared.
It landed as the Stealth Rocks began to take effect. They all collided with Donphan, and the Pokémon emerged from the smoke as if it barely had a scratch.
"Donphan's a Ground-type Pokémon, so Stealth Rock barely did anything to it. So it was a smart choice," said Sky.
Donphan looked at Hippowdon as both Pokémon stared at each other. Both were tough and stronger, but only one would prevail.
"Donphan, Roll out!" shouted Applejack.
"Donphan!" shouted the elephant as he jumped and turned into a ball as it was rolling toward Hippowdon at incredible speed.
"Stop it, Hippowdon!" shouted Rockhoof.
Hippwodon saw Donphan coming as it was picking up speed. The largo hippo put its front leg out as it caught the elephant rolling on the ground. It did push Hippowdon back a few feet before the Pokémon got its footing and was now holding Hippowdon in place. Donphan was still spinning as it started to burrow into the field as friction was starting to increase.
"Fire Fang!" shouted Rockhoof.
Hippowdon began to open its mouth as fire was inside. He then brought it down as Donphan felt it and was tossed back.
"Donphan!" shouted Applejack as she saw her Pokémon struggling to get up.
"Donphan, use Hidden Power!"
Orbs of energy circled Donphan as he shot them out. They collided with Hippowdon as the Pokémon stood his ground and tanked the hits.
"Rollout!"
"Iron Head!"
Donphan leaped and turned into a ball as it rolled toward the bigger Pokémon. Hippowdon was also charging forward as it collided with Donphan in a collision. Both Pokémon created a massive wind upon the impact that had everyone looking away. Hippowdon and Donphan pushed back as they each had scuffs along their bodies while panted heavily.
"Donphan, Hyper Beam!"
"Hippowdon, Iron Head!"
Donphan powered up as it opened its mouth. A beam was starting to form as Hippowdon was charging forward. The hippo was encased in an aura attack as Donphan let loose and unleashed a powerful beam aimed at the hippo. Another clash occurred as it was a stalemate. Soon Hippowdon began to push through the attack as it was still charging. It was taking damage from Donphan's Hyper Beam but mustered through the pain. Soon Hippowdon made its way to Donphan as its eyes widened. An explosion occurred as it covered the field in a smokescreen. Once it settled, there stood Hippowdon covered in battle scuffs with Donpahn laying on the floor.
"Donphan is unable to battle! The winner is Hippowdon!"
"Poor Donphan!" said Fluttershy.
"Just like that, Rockhoof turns the pressure on for Aj," said Sky.
"Donphan, return! Thanks, partner, you did your part. Now, Heracross, lend me your strength!" shouted Applejack as she called on her second Pokémon.
"Heracross!" said the Pokémon as it appeared.
The stones appeared as they collided with the bettle Pokémon, who fell to a knee. The damage it sustained with Rhyhorn in its battle and from the Stealth Rocks was starting to affect the Pokémon.
"Heracross is gonna run out of steam fast. I have to try to end this quickly!"
"Sandstorm!" shouted Rockhoof.
Hippowdon made the sand in its back kick up as wind blew over the field. A huge storm blew over as Heracross looked away initially to avoid being blinded.
"Rockhoof's looking to end Aj's momentum rather quickly," said Twilight.
"I forgot, Hippowdon's attacks get stronger if a sandstorm occurs," said Rainbow.
"Which is exactly what Applejack wanted to avoid," responded Sky.
"Hippowdon, Dig!"
Hippowdon began to burrow its way into the ground.
"Heracross, use Megahorn and aim it straight at the ground!" shouted Applejack.
"Huh?" said the girls as Sky smiled.
Heracross lifted into the air before turning around as its horn glowed. It dove head-first into the ground, causing a crack to form along the ground as it began to open up. That attack allowed Hippowdon to be exposed as Aj now had a clear sight of where it was.
"Now Focus Punch, Heracross!"
Heracross then flew toward Hippowdon as it began to punch the hippo in the face, blow after blow. Hippowdon was taking massive amounts of damage as it was taking steps back and being pushed back by the bettle Pokemon.
"Hippowdon, Fire Fang!"
"Heracross, move back and use Bullet Seed!"
Hippowdon had its mouth full of fire as it looked to bite down on Heracross, who moved back. He then opened his mouth and unleashed a barrage of seeds straight to Hippowdon's face as they were even more effective than the Focus Punches.
"Focus Punch again!" instructed Aj.
Heracross then flew back and began to wail on Hippowdon, landing more consecutive blows to its face as its head turned left to right from all the punches it received. The girls were excited as it seemed Applejack was about to knock Hippowdon down for the count. The farm girl thought so herself as it was only a matter of time before the largo hippo would fall. Just then, everything changed.
"Hippowdon!" shouted Rockhoof.
The Pokémon growled as its eyes widened in a fury. Hippowdon opened its mouth and latched onto one of Heracross' arms that it was using to do Focus Punch.
"Fire Fang!" shouted the Gym Leader.
Hippowdon's mouth burst into flames as it touched Heracross' arm and sent the fire throughout its entire body. The bettle Pokémon released a painful cry as it felt the burning from the fire attack. Hippowdon sank its mouth tighter around Heracross' arm as it kept the fire attack going; the bettle had no way of escaping as all it could do was suffer the burn.
"Heracross!" shouted Applejack as she could do nothing but watch.
"Now throw it!" shouted Rockhoof!"
"Hippowdon!" growled the Pokémon as, with one swing, it tossed Heracross into the air and ceased its Fire Fang.
Heracross was in the air as it spun several rotations. Once it reached the highest point of altitude, it then started to descend as gravity was doing its thing. Heracross gained speed and momentum as it was racing back to the ground. Soon it landed with a huge thud as a hole was created in the ground. There stood Heracross as it was defeated.
"Heracross is unable to battle! The winner is Hippowdon!"
"Excellent work, Hippowdon!" said Rockhoof to his Pokémon.
Hippowdon gave a grunt as the sandstorm that was blowing finally stopped as the field cleared up.
"Heracross, return! Thanks for giving it yer all," said Applejack.
"Not good. Applejack's down to her last Pokémon," said Twilight.
"Does she still have a chance?" asked Fluttershy.
"It's not gonna be easy. Even though Hippowdon has been through two brutal battles with Donphan and Heracross, it's still standing. Rockhoof trained it to not only have endurance and power but to be able to tank a lot of hits." said Sky. "But then again, even a tank has a limit on how much damage it can absorb. Aj's just got to dish out enough to win."
"It's all you, bud. Breloom, lend me your strength!" shouted Applejack.
"Breloom!" shouted the Pokémon as it appeared.
"And here comes Stealth Rock!" said Twilight as the pillars appeared and headed toward Breloom.
"Breloom, use Bullet Seed on them!" instructed Applejack.
Breloom opened its mouth and began machine-gunning its seed attack as it took all the rocks heading toward him. Soon they ceased as there stood Breloom without a single scratch.
"How did she do that?!" said the girls.
"Well, now... even I wouldn't have thought of that," chuckled Sky as he was impressed by Applejack's creativeness to avoid taking damage from Stealth Rock.
"How?" said Rockhoof.
"It wasn't much, but Stealth Rock took a small amount of time before it made contact with my Pokémon. So I had Breloom quickly launch an attack to destroy the pillars. That way, it wouldn't suffer any damage."
"I'm impressed; you figured out a way to render Stealth Rock useless. And avoid taking any damage," smiled Rockhoof.
"And with that no longer in play, it's a straight-up fist fight between our last Pokémon!" declared Applejack.
"Even so, don't think you're walking away with that badge so easily, Ms. Applejack."
"I plan on getting that badge! Breloom, Mach Punch!"
"Iron Head!"
Both Pokémon ran forward as their attacks collided in the center. Breloom had jumped before its attacks connected as it hung in the air while Hippowdon was on the ground.
"Leech Seed!" instructed Applejack.
Breloom opened its mouth as it fired a seed that landed on Hippowdon's head. The seed was planted, and it began to grow. Vines began to sprout with leaves as they wrapped around Hippowdon's entire body. Soon they began to work their magic as they were zapping away the hippo's strength. Breloom felt Hippowdon easing up on its attack as it allowed him to put more power into his punch.
"Stay strong, Hippowdon!" shouted Rockhoof.
"Breloom, smack it with your tail!" instructed the farm girl.
Breloom then did a backflip as when it was rotating, its tail smacked Hippowdon in the face as its head turned and caused its attack to end. While Hippowdon was turning its head back forward, Breloom was already under its chin as it looked to strike.
"Mach Punch, full blast!" shouted Applejack as she made an uppercut motion.
It transitioned to Breloom doing the same pose as Applejack as his arm glowed. It gave a big rallying cry as it reeled back and lifted its arm. It connected with Hippowdon right on the chin as the hippo felt the knockout blow. Breloom managed to send Hippowdon onto its back as it tumbled along the battlefield, smashing into mounds before coming to a stop as smoke appeared. Once the cloud cleared up, there laid Hippowdon on its side. Just when it looked like Applejack had defeated it, Hippowdon began to stir. It lifted its head as it looked at the girl and Breloom, with the latter still ready to fight. Soon, it grunted as its head fell and swirls formed in its eyes.
"Hippowdon is unable to battle! The winner is Breloom! And that means the victor is Applejack!" said Rockhoof's assistant as he gestured his arm in the girl's direction.
"We did it..." muttered Aj as the shock factor came to her. "We... did it!" shouted the girl.
"Breloom!" said the Pokémon as she ran over to Aj and tackled her to the ground.
"Thanks, partner. I couldn't have done it without you and the others," said Applejack as she sat up and hugged her Pokémon.
"Breloom," smiled the Pokémon to his master.
"As always, very good work, my friend," said Rockhoof to Hippowdon as it growled before returning to its Pokéball.
"Congrats, Applejack!" said Twilight as she and the others all stood up and applauded her performance.
Sky gave the farm girl a thumbs up as Applejack returned the gesture.
It was later as the teens were outside the gym and about to leave. Rockhoof was in front of them as he presented Applejack with her badge.
"Here you are, Ms. Applejack. Your proof that you won your Gym Challenge, the Rubble Badge!"
"Thanks, Rockhoof. Appreciate the battle; it was fun," smiled Applejack to the Gym Leader as she grabbed the badge from the tray and looked at it.
The farm girl was smiling as she finally managed to avenge her loss from the other day and overcome her doubtfulness. She took out her badge case and put the badge in.
"Looks like you will be joining us in the League," smiled Storm as he appeared and put his hand on the country gal's shoulder.
"Honestly, I couldn't have done it without my Pokémon. But also you. I have you to thank, Sky. You helped me to train, and it shows. Thanks." said Applejack as she looked into her friend's eyes.
"Hey, I was just doing what any friend would do," said Sky as he put his hand up.
Applejack knew what Sky was doing as she lifted her hand and slapped it against hers as the pair held it in place.
"So, where are you kiddies off to next?" said Rockhoof.
"Don't know," said Sky.
"Lucky for you, I have it all scouted out," said Twilight as she pulled out her navigator. "According to this, the closest gym from here is in Cloudsdale!"
"Cloudsdale? Ain't that where you and Fluttershy are from, Dash?" asked Sky.
"Yup, it's where I got my first badge. Safe to say the Gym Leader there is pretty strong himself," said the chromatic-haired girl.
"Well, do you mind if we stop by your home to get another badge?" asked Applejack.
"Eh, why not! I could use a small break," said Rainbow as she felt like taking it easy after already having two badges.
"Then we best be on our way!" stated Sky to the girls. "Thanks for everything, Rockhoof!"
"No problem, kids! Safe journey and I look forward to seeing all three of you at the Equestrian League!" stated Rockhoof as he waved goodbye along with his assistants.
The teens were marching away as they waved goodbye to the Gym Leader. Once out of sight, the group began their journey into the woods as the next leg of their adventure kicked off.
Author's Note: After hitting a bit of a rocky start, no pun intended, Applejack has finally won her first Gym Badge. Of course, she had a little help from Sky in teaching her somethings. Nevertheless, she's finally on route to starting her journey of joining her friends in the League. And now the group is heading toward the location of the second Gym, which so happens to be Rainbow and Fluttershy's home. Take a guess as to who the Gym Leader will be. As always leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.