Our heroes have arrived in Springer Town. This is where Orihime plans to win her fourth and final star medal. When she wins, she will be eligible to enter the Ultimate Talent Star.

Orihime and the others arrived and saw many other showmen and show-women training with their pokemon for the big event.

"Look at all the competition, Orihime. Are you ready for this, Orihime?" Ichigo said.

"You better believe I am." Orihime said and took out all her pokeballs. "Come on out, everyone!" Orihime released all her pokemon. "Look around, gang. This is where we're going to win our final star medal. After that, it's off to the Ultimate Talent Star." All her pokemon were getting excited for this one and Orihime was excited herself.

"Orihime, watch out!" Rukia said.

Rise if you're prepared for the challenge
(Rise to the challenge)
Rise if you're a champion at heart
(Rise to the challenge)
Take my hand, we'll train as one
And triumph together
(Rise to the challenge)
Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Stronger and stronger we'll
Rise to the challenge of
Life
Pokémon

(Orihime's voice) A Faithful Last Minute

Orihime saw an attack that looked like Water Pulse. Absol grabbed a hold of her and got her to move out of the way before it hit her.

"I'm so sorry about that." That apology sounded sarcastic. All of them looked and were surprised to see Loly was there and she had a Purugly with her.

"Loly!" Orihime said.

"Orihime! I'm surprised to see you here. What a coincidence." Loly said. Remembering how things went the last time they met Loly, they weren't exactly happy to see her. Neither did they believe that attack was an accident.

"Hi, Loly. It is surprising to see you here." Orihime said. "I take it you're entering the competition as well."

"That's right. Last time I saw you, you won your third medal. Don't tell me the little princess doesn't have all four medals yet." Loly said.

"No. I'm planning on entering and winning the competition here and winning my fourth medal here." Orihime said.

"Another big coincidence. I'm going for number four as well and I'm winning it." Loly said. "My Purugly here is going to help make sure that happens."

"Purugly."

"So she got herself a Purugly." Ichigo said as he wasn't exactly fond of how Purugly looks. "I think that's a fitting pokemon for you."

"So are all these pokemon yours, Orihime?" Loly said as she had a look at all of them.

"Yeah. They are." Orihime said.

"Well, it should be interesting. That's assuming a loser like you will make it, princess." Loly said as she turned away with Purugly, but she had a sneaky smirk on her face.

"What is that girl's problem?" Ichigo said.

"She's just jealous of you, Orihime." Rukia said. "She knows you're a better performer than her and it drives her crazy."

"Thanks, but I don't really think I'm that much better than her." Orihime said. "I'll deal with Loly on the battlefield. In the meantime, we all should get ready for the competition." All her pokemon agreed to that and they were ready.

"Absol, how about you and me help her out with some training?" Ichigo said.

"Absol!" Absol was more than happy to help Orihime out. All of them went out on an open area for Orihime to do some training and Ichigo and Absol were helping them out.

"Sylveon, Fairy Wind! Roserade, Magical Leaf!" Orihime said. Both of her pokemon used their attacks, but Absol was able to dodge all of them, but he was certainly keeping on his toes. "Azumarill, Iron Tail! Solrock, Gyro Ball!" Both of their pokemon went on the attack. Absol tried to avoid them, but he did get nicked by Solrock.

"Looking good." Rukia said.

"Keep up the pressure." Chad said.

"They're right. You're doing great, Orihime. Keep it up." Ichigo said.

"Thanks guys. I can just feel it." Orihime said. "That fourth medal will soon be mine. Let's keep going, guys!" All her pokemon were just as pumped as Orihime was, but something happened. A powerful soundwave came out of nowhere and all of her pokemon were getting caught in it. "What's going on?" Suddenly, purple globs were shot out and it was hitting around the area.

"What is all this?" Ichigo said. The globs hit around Orihime's pokemon. Then, the soundwave focused right on all her pokemon and caused some damage. Everything finally settled down and it was all very strange.

"What was all that?" Orihime said.

"I'm not really sure." Ichigo said.

"Orihime, you're pokemon!" Rukia called. All of them looked and saw that all of Orihime's pokemon were down and were in pain. "Sylveon, Azumarill, and Solrock have all been poisoned." All of them didn't look all that well.

"What about Roserade? Roserade is a poison-type." Orihime said.

"No good. Roserade looks badly damaged." Chad said. He was right. Roserade didn't look that much better than the others. "We better get them to the pokemon center." All of them agreed to it and hurried as fast as they could while they carried her pokemon. What none of them noticed was that Loly behind some bushes with Purugly and Scolipede.

"Let's see her compete now." Loly said.

…

The Pokemon Center

"Nurse Joy, how are all my pokemon?" Orihime asked. All her pokemon were brought to Nurse Joy and Nurse Joy got to work on helping all of them. "Are any of them able to compete? The competition is in a couple hours."

"I'm afraid not." Nurse Joy said. "Roserade is in no condition for battling. As for your other pokemon, I'm afraid they aren't much better. I'm all out of antidote and my fresh supply won't arrive until during the competition."

"But if all of Orihime's pokemon are out, how is she going to compete?" Rukia said.

"I'm sorry, Orihime. If these are all of your pokemon, I won't be able to get any of them ready for the competition." Nurse Joy said.

"That means Orihime can't compete." Ichigo said. This was bad for Orihime. Without any of her pokemon, there's no way she can compete and there's no way she can get her fourth medal. "Orihime, are you okay?"

"Yeah." Orihime said. "It's not their fault. It's not like they asked this to happen. Nurse Joy, just please do what you can." Orihime turned away and just left the room. She was trying to keep on a brave face, but Absol could see things differently.

…

Orihime

Orihime walked into the lounge and no one was around. She sat in a seat and hid her face in her hands and cried. She was looking forward to winning her fourth medal, but now all her hopes have been dashed. She knew it wasn't her fault or her pokemon's but it still hurts when she was all ready for this and now it's all ruined.

"Absol." Orihime moved her hands and saw Absol right in front of her.

"Hi, Absol." Orihime said.

"So Absol was right." Orihime looked up and saw Ichigo as well. "I'm sorry, Orihime."

"Don't' be. It's no one's fault." Orihime said.

"No one's fault?! Someone obviously attacked you to make sure you couldn't compete." Ichigo said. "Orihime, surely there must be something we can do."

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but it's hopeless." Orihime said. "I can't compete now. I was looking forward to earning my fourth star medal. All my pokemon were very excited for this. I might get another chance, but I believed this would be the one." Orihime was really upset that she lost her big chance and now her pokemon won't be able to compete as well. Absol could see Orihime was really upset about all of this and couldn't stand seeing her like this.

"Absol!" Absol spoke up and got their attention.

"Absol? What is it?" Ichigo asked. Absol walked over and stood next to Orihime. Absol looked right in Orihime's eyes and was trying to tell Orihime something. Absol moved around like he was battling or something, but Orihime couldn't really figure it out.

"Wait a minute. I think Absol is saying that it wants to step in and be your pokemon so you can compete." Ichigo said and Orihime was surprised by that.

"Is that true?" Orihime asked and Absol confirmed it was.

"Absol…that's really nice of you." Ichigo said. "Absol understands how important this is to you. So do I. Orihime, if you want to use Absol, its fine with me."

"I don't know. Its last minute." Orihime said. "I'm not really sure if I can perform with Absol when I never used Absol before."

"Orihime, you want that medal, right?" Ichigo said. "Absol's been watching you train. I'm sure he's picked up a thing or two. Absol is willing to put himself through this. He'll do it if you say that it's okay." Orihime looked to Absol and thought about this. She may not have used Absol for this before, but if there's a chance to earn her fourth medal, shouldn't she take it?

"I'll do it." Orihime said.

…

The Stage

"Welcome, everyone. It's time for the Springer Town Pokemon Talent Star!" Haron said as the competition was starting and everyone was excited. "We're all glad to be here as we have many people competing here today to earn themselves another star medal. I'm sure you're all excited for this one and so am I." Everyone in the stands couldn't wait to see this one. Ichigo and the others took their seats, but they were pretty nervous for Orihime.

"So Absol is really stepping in for Orihime?" Rukia said.

"Yeah. Absol understands this is important to Orihime and is willing to go through with it." Ichigo said.

"I'm not sure about this." Chad said.

"Me either. Orihime might be good, but I don't know if she's good enough to use a pokemon she never has before." Rukia said. "Can Absol even perform?"

"Absol is willing to go through this, even if it means he'll end up being humiliated." Ichigo said. "However, I know Absol isn't going to let that feeling reach Orihime. He's going to do his best. So what are you all worried about?"

"He's your pokemon." They both said and Ichigo felt a little insulted.

…..

Orihime

Orihime was backstage with all the other trainers in the waiting room and was brushing Absol. She wanted to make sure Absol would be at the top of his game for this competition.

"Thank you so much for doing this for me, Absol. Let's both do our best in this." Orihime said.

"Absol." Absol was happy to do it since it was for Orihime. Loly came walking in with her Purugly, but she was surprised to see Orihime was in there.

"What?! She's still in this?! I thought I got all her pokemon." Loly said. She wondered how Orihime could be in this until she saw she was going to compete with Absol and was getting irritated. "Wait a minute. That's not one of her pokemon. That little princess. She thinks she can compete with any pokemon? I'll show her."

…..

The Stage

"Now, it's time for us to begin our first round. This is where trainers try to show off a quality of their pokemon. Let's see what we've got!" Haron said as he let the show begin. One after another, trainers with their pokemon performed and some were pretty good. "Up next is….Loly!"

"Thank you! I'm sure you're all happy to see me." Loly said as she came out on her stage.

"There she is." Chad said.

"I've been thinking. Do you think it was her who put all of Orihime's pokemon out of commission for this competition?" Rukia asked.

"You really think she would go that low?" Ichigo said.

"It's possible." Rukia said.

"Okay, Purugly, your time to shine!" Loly said and released her pokemon.

"Pur!"

"Now, I'll show you just how powerful and intimidating my Purugly can be." Loly said. "Release your tail and jump!" Purugly released its tail and used it like a spring to jump into the air.

"What is this?!" Haron said. "Purugly was able to jump high into the air with a body like that?! That only is good!"

"Now use Body Slam and go into Hyper Voice when you crash down!" Loly said. Purugly crashed down against the ground and released a powerful soundwave from its throat and it spread through the whole field and shook people to their core. It almost felt like the vibrations of an earthquake.

"Wow! That is powerful and a little frightening." Haron said. "Let's see what our judges think." All of them looked to the screen to watch Loly's score dial and it ended up being….. "44. That's not bad."

"Not bad?! That's all I get? My Purugly is better than that." Loly whispered, but she accepted the results and moved on.

…..

Orihime

"We're up next, Absol." Orihime said. "Are you ready for this?" Absol was all set to go. Both of them were on their way out, but they come across Loly.

"Hello, Orihime. I wish you good luck, but even that won't help you." Loly said.

"What do you mean?" Orihime said.

"I know that Absol doesn't belong to you. You probably think you're some hot stuff using any pokemon you want, but you're not." Loly said. "Even if you do make it past the first round, I'm going to enjoy crushing you." Loly walked past Orihime and purposely bumped her shoulder against her. Absol was ready to attack, but Orihime held him back.

"Save it, Absol. She can think whatever she wants. I won't let that stop me." Orihime said. She's not going to let Loly get to her and Absol walked out with her.

"Now for our final show-woman. Here's, Orihime!" Haron said and Orihime came running out on the stage with everyone cheering.

"Absol, let's do this!" Orihime said as she held out her arms and Absol jumped right over her and made it a perfect landing.

"An entrance without the pokeball. Let's see how this one goes." Haron said. The pressure was on now.

It's Orihime's chance to win her fourth star medal, but she has to use Absol for this one. Loly sabotaged her, but she's going to keep going and she's not going to let the pressure stop her. Will Orihime be able to win her fourth star medal? You'll just have to stay tune and find out for yourselves.

To Be Continued…..