After making a successful pokemon trade, Ichigo and Orihime seem to be getting along pretty well with their new pokemon.

"Now surround yourself with Fire Spin, Solrock." Orihime said.

"Solrock!" Solrock had the flames spiral around it and Solrock spun around in the flames. They've all stopped to take a rest and Orihime and Ichigo took the time to do some training with their new pokemon.

"It sure seems like you and Solrock are getting along great." Chad said.

"Yeah." Orihime said. "Solrock seems to be a natural at this. That's why I'm going to use Solrock in the next talent star when we get to Blumin Town."

"Wow! That's bold with a new pokemon, but everyone has to start somewhere." Rukia said. "Plus Solrock does seem anxious to get in one as soon as possible."

"Orihime is working hard. Kirlia, let's do the same." Ichigo said.

"Kirlia!"

"Now show me your Magical Leaf!" Ichigo said. Kirlia created the energy scythes and released them into some bushes. However, it sounded like they hit something. All of them wondered what it was and a Vileplume came out and it didn't look happy.

"A Vileplume!" Rukia said.

"Sorry. I didn't know you were there." Ichigo said, but that wasn't making things better. Vileplume took aim and fired a Stun Spore blast with Ichigo getting hit.

"Absol/Kirlia!"

"Ichigo!" His friends called out.

Pokémon!
It's a battle, win or lose
It's the friends you make, it's the road you choose
You've got the right stuff
So make your mind up
Find the courage inside of you
If you're strong you'll survive
And you'll keep your dream alive
Let the battle begin
Pokémon!
Be the best you can be
And find your destiny
It's the master plan
The power's in your hand
Pokémon!

(Ichigo's voice) Big Chad, Little Friend

Ichigo got hit with a strong dose of Stun Spore and found it really difficult to move. Orihime and the others set up a bed for him to rest, but it didn't seem like he was doing well.

"How is he?" Orihime asked.

"Getting hit with Stun Spore is never pleasant." Rukia said as she damped a cloth and placed it on Ichigo's head. "The problem is that we don't have anything to cure the paralysis. No medicine or berries."

"But there's got to be something we can do? What about a store or a hospital?" Orihime asked.

"There's not a building for miles and we can't carry him that far." Rukia said.

"You two stay here and take care of him." Chad said as he stood up.

"What are you going to do?" Rukia asked.

"My abuelo taught me a thing or two about situations like this." Chad said. "If I can find the right herb, perhaps we can make some tea or something that will help him."

"I hope you're right." Rukia said. With that, Chad ran off in hopes of finding some herbs that could help Ichigo. With such a big forest, Chad was going to need some help.

"Hawlucha, come on out." Chad said and let out his partner.

"Hawlucha!"

"Hawlucha, Ichigo is in need of some help." Chad said. "We've got to find some herbs or something that can help with paralysis."

"Hawlucha." Hawlucha understood the situation and got to work on finding some plants. Hawlucha and Chad looked high and low to find something, but nothing really stood out.

"Let me think. I think Aubelo used some sort of pokemon to help him in times like this, but which one?" Chad said as he tried to remember.

"Poli!"

"Poli?" Chad said as he heard the sound. Chad looked around and he spotted a Poliwag hopping around and that was when it all came back to him. "Now I remember. It was a Poliwag he used. Hawlucha, we need that Poliwag. Help me catch it."

"Hawlucha!" Hawlucha jumped over and faced that Poliwag.

"Hawlucha use Karate Chop." Chad said. Hawlucha jumped up and was about to chop at Poliwag. Poliwag got scared and it was able to jump out of the way. "Don't let it escape."

"Hawlucha." Hawlucha began to go after Poliwag, but Poliwag faced Hawlucha. Poliwag unleashed a bright light from the spiral on its belly. Hawlucha stared at it and soon fell asleep.

"Did Poliwag just use Hypnosis?" Chad said.

"Poliwag!" Poliwag took the opportunity to run away. Chad raced over to Hawlucha and tried to get it to wake up.

"Hawlucha, get up. I need your help here." Chad said. Hawlucha managed to wake up and looked around for Poliwag. "Let's get going. We need to catch that Poliwag. It might be the only thing that can help us and Ichigo."

"Hawlucha." Hawlucha agreed and both of them went after that Poliwag.

…

The Girls

Orihime and Rukia were doing their best for Ichigo, but he wasn't looking really well. Absol seemed to be the most concerned.

"It will be okay, Absol." Orihime said as she stroked his fur. "Ichigo's a tough guy. He's going to fine." Orihime believed that, but she's hoping he does get better soon.

"Chad, what is taking you so long?" Rukia questioned.

….

Chad

Chad and Hawlucha tried to track down that Poliwag to find what could help. The two of them kept searching until they spotted Poliwag standing near a river.

"There it is." Chad said. Hawlucha looked ready to step in and fight, but Chad held it back. "Hold it, Hawlucha. Let's not make the same mistake as we did last time. We need to think. What would Ichigo do?"

"Hawlucha." Hawlucha was making it look like it was shaking hands with someone.

"Of course. He would try to make friends with it." Chad said. The moment he said that made him think of something. "That's actually reminds me of what Abuelo taught me."

…

Flashback

Chad and his grandfather were out in the woods for Chad wanted to learn more about pokemon. The problem was that every time that he got near them, they just ran off and he got really upset about it.

"Be fair, Sado." His grandfather said. "You're scaring them off because you're much bigger than they are and it's intimidating to them. You need to reach down to them at eye level to show you're friendly." He walked over to a wild Lillipup. It did seem scared, but Chad's grandfather dropped down so he was laying on his stomach to look at Lillipup in the eyes. "Hello there." Lillipup seemed less nervous and got all happy to meet it. "You see? It also helps them grow connections with you." It was something Chad needed to do.

End of Flashback

…..

Chad remembered everything his grandfather ever taught him. He made a mistake before, but he knows just how to fix it.

"Hawlucha, just hang back." Chad said as he got up and walked over to Poliwag. Poliwag saw Chad's shadow was overcasting it. Poliwag turned to face it and got scared. Chad dropped down so it could look at Poliwag in the eyes. "Poliwag, I'm sorry about earlier. It's just that I heard you can help people find some plants that could help with paralysis. A friend of mine needs it. Will you please help me?" Chad wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed to have worked as Poliwag didn't seem nervous anymore.

"Poli!" Poliwag headed up the river and it was motioning for Chad and Hawlucha to follow it. Chad understood and the two of them followed. Poliwag led them to a small creek that went separate from the river. Poliwag was trying to tell them what was inside. Chad looked down and saw a few thing weeds down in it.

"Those plants will help my friend?" Chad asked.

"Poli! Poliwag!" Poliwag was hopping up and down since he was trying to tell Chad that he was correct. Chad tried reaching down and pull them out, but his hand couldn't fit.

"I can't reach them. Could the two of you help me?" Chad asked. Poliwag and Hawlucha reached down and were able to pull the weeds out until they had just enough to help Ichigo. "This should do. Thank you, Poliwag."

"Poli!" Chad and Hawlucha took what Poliwag gave them and took off, but this pokemon encounter was different. It was as if Poliwag could actually feel some sort of connection and followed Chad.

…

The Girls

All of them were really worried about Ichigo. Rukia was just about ready to head out, find Chad, and find a cure herself until she saw Chad with Hawlucha running towards them.

"You're back! Did you find anything?" Rukai asked. Chad held up the weeds Poliwag showed them. "That's just what we need. We can make tea from that stuff." Rukia got to work right away and it didn't take long for her to make the tea that would cure Ichigo. "Sit him up. I'll pour it down his throat." Chad held up Ichigo and Rukia opened his mouth up with her pouring the tea in his mouth. Once he got it down, he was able to move again.

"Oh yeah!" Ichigo said as he was able to stand up and stretched out his arms.

"Ichigo! You're all better!" Orihime said.

"Wow! That took almost no time at all." Rukia said.

"How are you feeling?" Orihime asked.

"A little stiff, but nothing a good stretch can't help." Ichigo said.

"You should thank Chad for that. He went out to find the herbs that helped you out." Rukia said.

"Thanks." Ichigo said as he turned to face Chad.

"Don't mention it, but I didn't do it alone. I had a little help." Chad said.

"From who?" Ichigo said. The answer came as it hopped right on Chad's shoulder.

"Poliwag!"

"Cute! Who is that?" Orihime said.

"Poliwag." Chad said and Poliwag cuddled up against Chad.

"It seems to have taken a liking to Chad." Rukia said.

"If you really like me that much, you can come with us if you like." Chad said and Poliwag seemed really happy about that.

"A big guy like you with that little guy?" Ichigo said as it seemed like an unlikely pairing.

"Is there a problem with that?" Chad asked.

"No! Not at all." Ichigo said.

There's more than one way to catch a pokemon. Connections can be formed no matter how long you've known each other. With one more joining their adventure, our heroes continue on their journey.

To Be Continued…..