Our heroes have finally arrived at Invagam City, the place where Ichigo plans to have his first gym battle.
"We're finally here." Rukia said.
"Ichigo, are you excited for your gym battle?" Orihime asked.
"We're sure ready for it. Aren't we, Absol?" Ichigo said.
"Absol."
"I wonder what kind of pokemon this gym uses." Chad said.
"Only one way to find out." Ichigo said as they all headed straight for them gym. Ichigo was ready for a battle, but it was put on hold when they saw the gym was closed. Not what they were expecting. "Are you kidding?!"
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) Playing Games
"Oh man." Ichigo said as he and the others were walking through the streets since Ichigo couldn't have a battle. "We came all this way and there's no one at the gym."
"There's not much we can do." Rukia said. "Maybe Nurse Joy knows something about this." They walked down the street, but Chad stopped when he looked inside a building and spotted a crowd of people inside watching something.
"There's something going on inside." Chad said. They all went inside an arcade and went to see what was going on. There two people playing against each other in a game. One of them was a boy dressed in black with a hat and blonde hair. He was playing against another kid in a game and was beating him badly in it.
"Oh man. That Yukio has got some skill."
"He's the best gamer around."
"It's just a couple guys playing some game." Rukia said.
"Come on. We got better things to do than hanging around here." Ichigo said. "I want to find out about the gym leader." Someone heard Ichigo mentioned the gym leader and stopped him from going anywhere.
"Excuse me. You're here to challenge the Invagam City Gym? You don't have to look very far. Yukio there is the gym leader."
"That guy is the gym leader?" Ichigo said as he wasn't expecting that. Yukio kept playing the game until he completely beat his opponent. It was impressive and it looked like it was impressive to everyone else.
"Okay. I think I'm done here." Yukio said as he didn't seem amused. He just got his stuff and was leaving the place. Ichigo and the others watched as he walked by.
"That guy is really the gym leader?" Orihime questioned.
"I wonder why he's playing games instead of running his gym." Rukia said.
"Let's find out." Ichigo said as he hurried after him. Yukio stepped outside as a black limo pulled up to him. "Wait!" Ichigo called and stopped Yukio from going anywhere.
"What is it?" Yukio asked.
"You're the gym leader of the Invagam Gym, right? My name is Ichigo and I came here to challenge your gym." Ichigo said as the others came out.
"Why is your gym closed?" Rukia said.
"I just closed it for today. I don't feel like doing any battling." Yukio said.
"You can't just close your gym just because you don't feel like battling." Rukia said as she thought that was a lousy reason.
"Master Yukio, is there something wrong?" An elderly gentleman stepped out of the limo.
"No, Jenkins. These people are just bothering me about the gym. That's all." Yukio said.
"Master Yukio, you can't just ignore your obligations to the gym." Jenkins said. Ichigo and the others were all curious about what's going on here. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Jenkins. I'm in service of Master Yukio. I'm sure you're interested in having an actual gym battle against Master Yukio here."
"I am. What's the deal? How come this guy doesn't want to battle." Ichigo said.
"Why don't I take all of you back to Master Yukio's home?" Jenkins offered. "I'll gladly explain things. That's assuming if you are quite fine with this, Master Yukio."
"It's fine with me. It's not like we don't have plenty of space." Yukio said as it didn't really matter to him. All of them stepped inside the limo with Jenkins driving them to Yukio's home and with them trying to figure out what the deal is with this unmotivated gym leader.
...
Yukio's House
Jenkins drove everyone to Yukio's house. It was actually more a mansion than a house. It was an impressive thing to see, but Ichigo didn't let it go to them. When they went inside, Jenkins served everyone a drink while Yukio started playing a handheld game.
"Didn't you just come back from the arcade?" Ichigo questioned.
"So?" Yukio said as he didn't care. "You against having fun or something?" Ichigo was already getting annoyed with this guy.
"Forgive Master Yukio. He wasn't usually like this." Jenkins said.
"How come Yukio doesn't appear to be interested in battling?" Rukia said. "If he's really the gym leader, why doesn't he want to battle? A gym leader is suppose to accept all challenges."
"That is usually the case." Jenkins said. "Master Yukio use to accept challenges like any gym leader. However, he began to become less motivated the more he battled. He began seeing all challengers were the same. It became rather boring to him, and since he couldn't find anyone that could actually give him a challenge or was different from most challengers, he became less of a gym leader. He started to indulge himself in video games."
"So you chose to play video games instead of being the gym leader?" Ichigo said as he got annoyed with that lazy attitude."
"That is what Jenkins just said. Are you having trouble hearing?" Yukio mocked with Ichigo getting annoyed.
"The truth is that Master Yukio always acted rather distant." Jenkins said. "Now it seems like he's lost the will to battle. To him, it's like playing the same video game over and over again. You eventually get bored with it. It's reached the point where there is no challenge, he knows what's going to happen, and he holds no excitement for it anymore."
"A gym leader that's lost the will to battle? That's not a good a thing." Rukia said.
"Well, I came here for a gym battle." Ichigo said.
"I can just give you a badge." Yukio said, but that offer really annoyed Ichigo.
"That's not how it works. A badge is only worth something when you battle and win it." Rukia said.
"So what? All the trainers are just about the same?" Yukio said.
"Well, I'm different. Every trainer is different. You just don't see it." Ichigo said, but it seems like Yukio doesn't really care. "Listen, I came for a battle and I'm not leaving without one."
"Master Ichigo..." Jenkins said. "If you wish, I would be more than glad to battle you myself."
"You would?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes, and I'm hoping you'll watch, Master Yukio." Jenkins said. Yukio didn't really care, but he figured it was better than nothing.
...
The Gym
They all went to the gym to use the battlefield. The others were up in the stands while Yukio and Jenkins took their spots on the battlefield.
"We'll use only one pokemon each." Jenkins said. "Master Yukio, I'm hoping that seeing this battle might make you more obliged to battle." Yukio doubted it, but he watched either way.
"Well, here goes nothing. Absol, let's do it." Ichigo said. Absol was ready as he ran out on the field.
"Here's my pokemon. Floette!" Jenkins said as he called out his pokemon and it was a Floette with a blue flower.
"Floette!"
"What a cutie!" Orihime said as she loved what she saw.
"Floette is a fairy-type." Chad said.
"Yeah, and that means it's a problem for Absol." Rukia said.
"It doesn't matter what opponent we're up against. We give it our all and we don't back." Ichigo said. "Absol, let's start with Razor Wind" Absol readied it's attack.
"Magical Leaf!" Jenkins said. Floette used it's own attack. Both of them launched their attacks and they cancelled each other out. "Now use Moonblast!" Floette gathered moon-like energy and fired it as an orb. Absol got hit by the attack and was pushed back.
"Now use Night Slash!" Ichigo ordered. Absol charged right at Floette. Absol jumped right in the air and slashed his horn against Floette. "Now use Razor Wind!" Absol used the attack and blasted Floette this time.
"Now use Energy Ball!" Jenkins said. Floette formed a green ball of energy and launched it at Absol.
"Dodge it and use Razor Wind again!" Ichigo said. Absol jumped up to avoid the attack. When he did, he launched the attack again and blasted Floette again with it.
"Not bad." Jenkins said.
"You haven't seen anything yet." Ichigo said. "Now use Night Slash!" Absol charged at Floette and got the attack ready. Yukio watched the battle unfold, but he still didn't appear interested.
"Boring." Yukino said. Absol tried to attack, but Floette floated up and avoided the attack. "Dark-types don't do much damage against fairy-types in the first place, but he still uses that move to attack with. It's the same kind of battle, pokemon trading blows. There's no excitement or fun."
"Just you wait. Ichigo isn't done yet." Orihime said.
"Floette use Magical Leaf!" Jenkins ordered. Floette used the attack again and launched enchanted leaves at Absol. Absol got hit by the attack, but was doing his best to endure it. "You can't battle what you can't see. Floette, Flash!"
"Floette!" Floette emitted a bright and blinding light. Ichigo and Absol had to cover their eyes to try and keep the light out.
"Oh man. That light was intense." Ichigo said when it was safe to look again. The problem was that Absol got hit good by that last attack. "Oh no! Absol can't see!"
"Energy Ball!" Jenkins said. Floette unleashed the attack and blasted Absol with it with Absol getting pushed back. Absol was still hanging in there.
"This battle is just about over." Yukio said as he wasn't amused at all.
"Floette, time to finish this! Attack with Moonblast!" Jenkins ordered. Floette charged the attack and unleashed it. It seemed like this battle could be the end.
"Use Swords Dance to block it!" Ichigo said. Absol formed swords around himself and it was actually able to block the attack. That maneuver did surprise Yukio.
"Swords Dance used for defense? It's a supportive move." Yukio said as he didn't think that could actually happen.
"Now use Psycho Cut!" Ichigo ordered. Absol was able to open his eyes and could see again. Absol launched a pink crescent blade and it slashed right against Floette. Floette was knocked right out of the air and was knocked right out of the battle.
"It looks like that's it." Rukia said.
"Great job, Absol." Ichigo said as he petted Absol. Absol was rather proud of himself as well.
"That was quite the battle." Jenkins said as he brought Floette back to her pokeball. "I can see that you and Absol have a strong bond and trust in each other. Master Yukio, what did you think of the battle." All of them looked to Yukio and hoped something got through to him.
"I will admit that what you did with Swords Dance was rather surprising." Yukio said. "Maybe you are slightly different, but it seems I won't know until I battle you myself."
"Does that mean you'll battle me?" Ichigo questioned.
"I suppose so." Yukio said. He might not be that excited about it, but Ichigo was glad he was getting his battle.
It looks like Ichigo is going to get that battle after all. His battle might have sparked Yukio's interest just enough to give him his first gym battle. Yukio might not be into it, but at least he's allowing Ichigo to have that battle. We'll soon see if this will help Yukio and get Ichigo's first badge. Stay tune.
To Be Continued...
Pokemon Question: Okay, future trainers. The correct answer to the last question was...Golem. Snorlax weighs over a thousand pounds. Out of the first one-hundred and fifty pokemon, Golem is a close second weighing over six-hundred pounds. Here's the next question. What pokemon is said to steal your soul when you look at it's back?
