Our heroes have arrived into a small town while they're on their way to Invagam City. Now that Umbreon has joined the team, they continue on, but will soon encounter a powerful adversary.

As the four of them were walking through the town, they heard the commotion of a battle going on with them seeing a crowd.

"Sounds like there's a battle going on." Rukia said.

"Let's check it out." Ichigo said. All of them hurried over to see the battle going on.

"Gravler use Rock Tomb!" The trainer said. Gravler formed rocks in midair and threw them at their opponent. The rocks slammed down on the opponent, but the rocks actually smashed to pieces. It was a shock to see.

"What just happened?" Orihime asked.

"Take a look at the pokemon battling." They looked and saw a pokemon made out of metal scales. They also took notice of the pokemon's trainer. He had long black hair combed back that reached his shoulders. He wore a white shirt with an X necklace and wore black pants and jacket. Just who is this trainer?

You're just a kid on a quest

To be the best of the best

Someday your destined for power and glory

You know you're up to the test

There's only one way to tell this story

Be a hero

Be a hero

All the power is at your command

Face your fears and show you're a hero

The future of the world is in your hands

Pokémon

(Ichigo's voice) Oh, Oh Jangmo-o

"Jangmo-o, Dragon Tail!" The trainer called.

"Raaa!" Jangmo-o had it's tail flow with energy and smashed it against Gravler and it did some real damage.

"Stone Edge!" Gravelr smashed it's fists against the ground and caused rocks to shoot out of the ground and headed for Jangmo-o.

"Iron Defense!" Jangmo-o hardened it's body with defense power rising. The rocks just smashed to pieces upon contact. It was like Jangmo-o didn't take any damage. "Now use Iron Head!" Jangmo-o had it's head covered in iron and smashed itself against Gravler with a lot of power behind it. That attack was enough to finish the battle. Some people cheered for the winner with Ichigo and his friends a little impressed.

"That's one tough pokemon." Ichigo said.

"You said it." Rukia said. Jangmo-o's trainer petted it on the head for doing a good job. The two of them didn't stick around as the two of them left. Once the battle was over, all of them got moving.

"I've never seen a pokemon like the one that trainer used. What was it?" Orihime questioned.

"It's called a Jangmo-o. They're pretty tough little pokemon." Rukia said. "I think that was the first time I've seen one in person."

"It was certainly strong." Chad said.

"You can say that again. Those attacks looked like they did nothing against it." Ichigo said. "I wonder who it's trainer was. Might be a little fun to have a battle against them. Wouldn't you say so, Absol?"

"Absol."

"Well, we should probably hit a few stores." Rukia said. "It might be a good idea to stock up on some supplies."

"Hang on. I think I have some money we can use." Orihime said as she dug around in her bag, but that was right when a thief came out of nowhere and grabbed her bag right from Orihime's hands.

"Thief!" Rukia called.

"Get back here!" Ichigo called as he, Chad, and Absol chased after him. The thief didn't get very far because Jangmo-o came out of nowhere and smashed itself right into the thief and knocked him down. It's trainer also came out and took the bag back from him.

"This doesn't belong to you!" Jangmo-o's trainer said.

"Hey!" Ichigo called as all of them caught up to them.

"Here. I believe this is yours." He said as he held out the bag.

"Thank you so much." Orihime said as she took her bag back. "What's your name?"

"Kugo, and this little guy here is Jangmo-o."

"Raa..."

"Thanks again. We saw the ending of your battle with that trainer." Ichigo said. "Your Jangmo-o is pretty tough for a little guy."

"You better believe it." Kugo said as he tried to look tough, but it didn't help that his stomach growled and his own pokemon was laughing at him.

"Sounds like someone's hungry." Rukia said.

"How about you join us for lunch? It can be our way of saying thank you for what you just did." Orihime offered.

"That actually sounds rather nice. Thank you." Kugo said.

...

A Ramen Shop

Once they handed the thief to the authorities, the gang took Kugo and Jangmo-o to a ramen shop to repay his kindness. Kugo slurped down those noodles and enjoyed every little bite in them.

"Delicious." Kugo said. "You got to love a good bowl of ramen. I really appreciate your offer."

"No problem." Ichigo said.

"So, you're going out for gym battles, Kugo?" Rukia said.

"That's right." Kugo said. "I'm aiming to compete in the Kalos League, win it, challenge the Elite Four, and take on the champion."

"That's just what Ichigo wants too." Orihime said.

"Really?" Kugo said as he looked at Ichigo. "I guess that means you and I are rivals. You just better be aware that I won't be going easy when we battle."

"I wouldn't want you to." Ichigo said as sparks of rivalry and competition were already flying between the two of them.

"So how long have you been on your journey?" Orihime asked.

"I've been on the road for only a couple weeks." Kugo said. "Jangmo-o and I challenge anyone we can and we don't back down from a battle. We take whatever life throws at us. Always rise to the top is our motto. That's why we're aiming for the Elite Four."

"The Elite Four are the four strongest trainers of a region." Ichigo said. "We've all been traveling around Unova and Johto. We met the Elite Four and the champions there. What can you tell us about the ones here?"

"I'm a little curious myself." Rukia said.

"There's not much to say." Kugo said. "They're the four strongest of the strong with each one specializing in their own type. There's Kariya that uses flying-types. There's Shusuke that uses fire-types. Muramasa uses psychic-types. Finally, there's Kageroza that uses dragon-types. The winner of the Kalos League has the right to challenge the four of them to a battle in the Champion League."

"The Champion League?" Orihime questioned.

"It's a special event you can enter when you win the Pokemon League." Rukia said. "That's where you can battle the Elite Four. If you actually manage to beat the Elite Four, you have the right to challenge the champion as well."

"The current champion is Kisuke Urahara." Rukia said.

"That's who we thought we saw when we first got to Kalos." Orihime said.

"They say Kisuke is a jolly and carefree guy, but it's almost like he's a different person when he battles." Kugo said. "His partner is Salamence and has the ability to mega evolve. They call his Salamence the Crimson Crescent Princess because his Salamence is a girl and it's wings look like a red crescent moon when it mega evolves."

"Sounds like you would have quite the time when you battle him." Ichigo said. "Speaking of which, how about a battle? I would like to see what Jangmo-o can really do."

"You're on. We never back down from a challenge." Kugo said. Once they finished their lunch, they all moved to an open space for them to have that battle with Jangmo-o ready. "You know who I'm using. What about you?" Absol stepped forward and was ready.

"Wait, Absol. I want to give Umbreon a try." Ichigo said. Absol understood and backed down. "Umbreon, let's go!"

"Umbreon!" Umbreon's emergence gave Kugo a good surprise.

"I've never seen an Umbreon with that color." Kugo said.

"Wait till you see how tough Umbreon is." Ichigo said.

"What type of pokemon is Jangmo-o?" Orihime asked.

"A dragon-type. It should be an even match." Rukia said as they all stood by and watched as the battle begins.

"Umbreon, Swift!" Ichigo ordered. Umbreon launched stars from it's tail, but it looks like its not doing that much damage.

"It's not working!" Orihime said.

"It is, but it looks like Jangmo-o isn't feeling it." Rukia said.

"I told you that we take on whatever life throws at us. Dragon Tail!" Kugo said.

"Dodge it!" Ichigo said. Jangmo-o had power flow through it's tail. It swung it's tail, but Umbreon was able to avoid it. "Now use Shadow Ball!" Umbreon used the attack, but it did nothing against Jangmo-o. None of them got what happened.

"Sorry. Jangmo-o's ability is Bulletproof. Attacks like Shadow Ball aren't going to work." Kugo said. "Now use Iron Head!" Jangmo-o charged right at and smashed his iron head right against Umbreon and did some damage. "Iron Head again!" Jangmo-o charged at Umbreon again to deal even more damage.

"Send them flying with Psychic!" Ichigo ordered. Umbreon used the power of it's mind and sent Jangmo-o flying. "Now use Swift! It still deals damage!" Umbreon shot more stars and blasted Jangmo-o with it.

"Push through and use Low Sweep!" Jangmo-o forced his way through the stars and was heading for Umbreon. It was like nothing could stop it.

"Protect!" Ichigo said. Umbreon formed a barrier around itself and was able to block the attack.

"Try and stop this! Dragon Tail!" Kugo said. Jangmo-o swung it's tail when the barrier dropped and smashed it against Umbreon.

"Now use Psychic!" Ichigo said as Umbreon fought through the damage. Umbreon used psychic power again and lifted Jangmo-o off the ground and was dealing some damage. "Now use Swift once more!" Umbreon shot more stars and was still dealing some damage. Jangmo-o might be able to take it, but it might be reaching it's limit.

"Come on! Hang in there!" Kugo said.

"Send it flying!" Ichigo called. Jangmo-o was sent flying and smashed into a wall. Jangmo-o took some damage, but was getting back up while struggling. Ichigo thought the battle was going to keep going, but Jangmo-o dropped down and was knocked out.

"Looks like that's it." Rukia said. The battle was over, but it was a tough battle since Umbreon took a couple hard hits. Kugo brought Jangmo-o back in it's pokeball.

"Not bad, Ichigo." Kugo said.

"Thanks, but Jangmo-o is a tough pokemon." Ichigo said. "I'm looking forward to when we can battle again."

"So am I. I won't be defeated so easily." Kugo said as Ichigo gained a brand new rival.

It seems that Ichigo has a new rival. A tough rival can help push you to do better. The tougher the rival, the stronger you want to be. Now that Ichigo has even more reason to get stronger, he heads for his first gym battle. Stay tune.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Okay, trainers. The correct answer to the last question was...Heatmore! Heatmore is the mortal enemy of Durant. Here's the next question. Snorlax is considered the heaviest pokemon. Out of the first one-hundred and fifty pokemon, who is a close second?