Ichigo and the others continued on their way and they could see their destination was just up ahead.
"There it is!" Ichigo said.
"The Johto League!" Rukia said. The Johto League was just ahead and after a long journey, it was finally in sight.
The Johto League, a competition where trainers have gathered eight badges and battle against each other. Ichigo has arrived to do just that. He aims to win and he'll have a lot of competition standing before him.
"Ichigo, are you ready?" Orihime said.
"Yeah. We came a long way and this is what I've been waiting for." Ichigo said. "Absol, let's win this."
"Absol."
Pokemon
Every trainer has a choice
To listen to that voice inside
I know the battles maybe long
Winners may have come and gone
I will carry on
Yeah, this dream will last forever
This dream will never die
We will rise to meet the challenge every time
(Advance challenge)
Yeah, this dream keeps us together
This shows that you and I
Will be the best that the world's ever seen
Cause we will always follow this dream
Pokemon
(Ichigo's voice): Arriving Rivals
Ichigo and the others made their way to the town and had a look around the place. It was like a town held around the place as well.
"This is quite a quaint place." Rukia said. "This place is known Silver Town. Silver Hills is sometimes referred to as Mount Silver as well."
"Right now, I just need to know where I can get registered." Ichigo said.
"The pokemon center should be up ahead." Rukia said. "Nurse Joy should be able to get you registered without any problem." Ichigo was glad to hear that. All of them made their way to the pokemon center, but Ichigo was surprised when he saw who was already there.
"Grimmjow!" Ichigo said and Grimmjow noticed him.
"Ichigo? So you actually managed to get all eight badges." Grimmjow said.
"Yeah and I'm not losing to you again." Ichigo said.
"We'll see." Grimmjow said as he walked past him. "I'm not losing to you either and I'm determined to make our battle one where you will have to get Absol to mega evolve. So you have no reason to hold back on me. I've got a secret weapon that I'm saving just for you."
"A secret weapon?" Ichigo questioned, but Grimmjow already walked away before Ichigo could ask about it.
"He hasn't changed." Rukia said.
"Don't let him bother you, Ichigo." Orihime said.
"I'm not worried. I'll be ready for him this time." Ichigo said. Ichigo wasn't going to let Grimmjow stop him. Ichigo went over to Nurse Joy and was able to get himself registered for the Johto League.
"You're all set. Good luck, Ichigo." Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you." Ichigo said.
"Look who's here." All of them looked and they were all surprised to see Hiyori was there as well.
"Hiyori? You're here too?" Ichigo said.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? Is that a problem?" Hiyori said.
"No. I'm just surprised." Ichigo said. "We didn't know you were planning on competing here."
"In case you forgot, I plan to be one of the Elite Four one day." Hiyori said. "So if I'm going to make it, I need to compete in the Johto League and win it."
"Sorry, but that's not going to happen. Absol and I are the ones who are going to win." Ichigo said with full confidence in them.
"Oh yeah? Take a look at this." Hiyori said as she held out a pokeball. "Get out here!" She released her pokemon and it was an Aegislash.
"Aegislash!"
"An Aegislash!" Rukia said.
"I'm a lot stronger than the last time we saw each other." Hiyori said. "Just you wait. I'm not going to lose." Hiyori was every bit confident as Ichigo was and was sure she was going to win. Ichigo and the others continued to look around the place and Ichigo could see that he was going to have some tough competition.
"You're going to have your work cut out for you, Ichigo." Chad said.
"I'm not too concerned about it." Ichigo said.
"I see something you should be concerned about." Rukia said. She pointed down the road and they saw the last person they wanted to see: Nnoitora.
"You've got to be kidding. He's here too." Ichigo said. Nnoitora looked and spotted them. No words needed to be said. Nnoitora just smirked as he was looking forward to crush Ichigo.
"I can't believe they allowed him to enter." Rukia said.
"It can't be helped." Chad said.
"Let him be here if he wants. I'll just beat him again." Ichigo said. He wasn't scared of Nnoitora or anyone.
"Ichigo, have you called your family yet?" Orihime asked. "I'm sure they like to hear from you and your other pokemon would love to come here and help you out."
"That's actually a good idea." Ichigo said.
….
The Pokemon Center
Ichigo and the others head back to the center. He gave his family a called and Yuzu was on the other side of it.
"I'm so happy you made it, Ichigo." Yuzu said. "Karin, Dad, and I will be watching when it starts and we all know you're going to do great."
"Thanks, Yuzu." Ichigo said. "How are all my other pokemon doing back home? I would love to have them here to help me out. You've got a way to transport them here?"
"Yeah. You don't need to worry about that." Yuzu said. "All your pokemon here are doing great." It sounded good, but that changed when there was some sort of crashing sound coming in the background.
"I told you no, Tauros! You're not suppose to be in the house!" Karin complained. Yuzu tried to act innocent with a smile.
"We'll have your pokemon ready for when you need them." Yuzu said and ended the call.
"It will be great to see your other pokemon again." Orihime said.
"Yeah. Hopefully, they've been keeping in top form." Ichigo said. It seemed like Ichigo was all set for the Johto League to begin. Absol was ready to go as well, but Absol sensed something and became alert. "Absol? Is something wrong?"
"Absol…" Absol looked around and his eyes landed on another trainer. That trainer may have had pale skin. He had black hair with green lines running down his face. He also wore all white clothes. He wore a coat that reached down to his ankles with baggy pants
"Absol, is something wrong?" Ichigo said. All of them took a look at who Absol was looking at and saw the trainer.
"Is there something I can help you all with?" The trainer asked.
"Sorry. Something about you must have alerted my Absol." Ichigo said. "Are you entering the Johto League as well?"
"I am. My name is Ulquiorra."
"Ulquiorra?" Orihime said.
"So you're entering, are you?" Ulquiorra asked.
"Yeah. My name is Ichigo. I'm planning to give it my all and win."
"Give it your all? You're going to need more than that." Ulquiorra said. "Everyone is planning on winning this. You're going to need to do a lot more than that." Ulquiorra just kept walking and Absol still seemed alert about him.
"What's wrong with Absol?" Rukia asked.
"I'm not sure. I've never seen him like this towards someone." Ichigo said. Absol seems to be on guard about Ulquiorra, but what for?
…
Later
Ichigo was able to get a room for him and his friends. All of them were asleep now, but Ichigo was wide awake. He couldn't stop thinking about what Ulquiorra said. Ichigo sat up and just couldn't fall asleep.
"Absol?"
"I'm okay, Absol." Ichigo said. "I think I'm just going to go for a walk and clear my head." Ichigo got his stuff together and stepped outside. Ichigo couldn't stop thinking about what Ulquiorra said and it was bugging him. "That Ulquiorra was right. Everyone here will be giving it their all. If I don't go beyond what I got, I might not win this." Ichigo walked over to the main arena and stood just outside it. He was starting to question if he was ready for this.
"What are you doing out here?" Ichigo was surprised and saw Ulquiorra was there as well. "It's you. What are you doing here? Couldn't sleep?"
"No." Ulquiorra said. "I always feel more at ease when I face the moon." He looked up and spotted the moon. "It seems you're uneasy about being here."
"No. I just couldn't stop thinking about what you told me." Ichigo said.
"If you're letting what I said get to you, perhaps you don't belong here." Ulquiorra said.
"Say what?" Ichigo said. "Who do you think you are? Are you trying to psyche me out so I drop out?"
"I'm doing no such thing." Ulquiorra said. "You just need to be aware of what you're getting yourself into. If you don't have the courage to face whatever is coming and advance beyond your limits, you don't belong here." Ichigo stared into Ulquiorra's eyes and could feel like he's staring into a pit of nothingness. Ichigo didn't know what it was, but this guy was unlike other trainers and was getting an idea of what Absol was sensing.
"Ulquiorra, who are you?" Ichigo said.
"Just another trainer." Ulquiorra said as he turned away. Something was a little strange about him. Ichigo thought about what Ulquiorra said again. Does he belong here? Does he have what it takes?
"Wait. What am I thinking?" Ichigo said. He took out his badges and thought about all the battles he had that got him here. "If I didn't have what it takes, I wouldn't have these. Every battle made my pokemon stronger as well as myself. I can do this and I'll show that Ulquiorra how wrong he is." Ichigo's made up his mind and he isn't going to let anyone scare him away. He's going to battle as best as he can.
….
The Next Day
Fireworks were going off as the festiveness was on a high. People were excited for the tournament to begin and it was about to. Trainers have gathered in the main arena and watched as the ceremonial torch has been lit and the Johto League is officially beginning.
"Welcome, everyone, to the annual Johto League! We're back once more with another exciting time here. Trainers have gathered a total of eight badges and will be competing against each other to win it. Now let the Johto League officially….begin!"
"May I have the attention of all the trainers competing in the Johto League." The MPC said. "We are about to start the Johto League. We are about to begin with the first series of battles. Make your way to the battlefields for the battles." Ichigo's first battle was coming up and they made their way to the multiple battlefields. As they passed through all the multiple battles going on.
"So many tough competitors." Orihime said. "So how does this first round work?"
"All battles are one-on-one." Rukia said. "This battle format is designed to cut around 200 competitors to a mere 48."
"My first battle is scheduled to be happening soon." Ichigo said as he looked around for his match. "There it is." They found the battlefield Ichigo was assigned to and stepped inside with Absol.
"Are you Ichigo Kurosaki?" The referee asked.
"That's me." Ichigo said.
"Well, well. Figures you are my first opponent." Ichigo looked across the battlefield and was surprised to see who his first opponent of the Johto League was….Nnoitora.
"You've got to be kidding me." Ichigo said. "You're my first opponent."
"It would seem so. This is perfect. I was hoping I get to crush you sooner rather than later." Nnoitora said. This was the best way to show that Ichigo was ready. Nnoitora is a ruthless trainer, but he isn't going to let him scare him. If he can really deal with Nnoitora, Ichigo will be ready for whatever comes his way.
The Johto League is about to begin. Ichigo's first opponent might be Nnoitora, but he can't let that stop him. Will he win and advance to the next part of the Johto League? Stay tune to find out.
To Be Continued….
