After solving the mystery of the ghost that haunted Chrolie City, Ichigo is now able to challenge Kutsuzawa to a gym battle. Kutsuzawa's specialty is with ghost-type pokemon. It could be a tricky battle, but we'll see soon enough if Ichigo is able to take him on and win his third badge.

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) Ghosts of Eternal

When the moment came, Ichigo and his friends went straight for the famous Chrolie clock tower, which also acted as the gym. When they got there, Ichigo was ready to start his battle. Kutsuzawa was ready for this battle himself. After seeing a small bit of what Kutsuzawa's pokemon can do, Ichigo had to be ready for anything.

"Ichigo, I thank you for your help the other night with the fake ghost, but I'm afraid I won't be showing gratitude by letting you win this battle."

"I wouldn't want that. Where's the fun in just letting me win?" Ichigo said.

"The gym battle between Kutsuzawa, the gym leader, and Ichigo, the challenger, will now begin!" The referee said. "Each side will be allowed to use three pokemon! The battle will be over when all three pokemon on one side can no longer battle! Only the challenger is allowed to switch his pokemon! If both sides are ready, you may begin!"

"Remember that ghost-types are my specialty." Kutsuzawa said. "I like ghost-types because they represent aspects of time. Time tells no lies."

"Whatever that means..." Ichigo said as he didn't quite get it.

"Here is my first pokemon. Come out, Banette!" Kutsuzawa said.

"Banette!"

"It is said that Banette came into existence when an abandoned doll was possessed by a spirit." Kutsuzawa said. "That in mind, do you still wish to battle."

"If you're trying to scare me, it won't work. I don't get scared that easily." Ichigo said as he took out his choice. "Frillish, I choose you!"

"Frillish!"

"He's using Frillish first." Chad said.

"Since they're both ghost-types, they're attacks would do lots of damage to each other." Orihime said.

"That would normally be the case, but the problem is that Frillish doesn't know any ghost-type attacks." Rukia said with Orihime realizing that's a big problem.

"Let's win this! Frillish, Water Pulse!" Ichigo said.

"Frillish!"

"Please use Will-o-Wisp." Kutsuzawa said.

"Banette!" Frillish launched an orb of water while Banette unleashed blue flames. The two attacks clashed against each other and cancelled each other.

"Now use Shadow Sneak!" Kutsuzawa said. Banette's shadow stretched out to Banette. When it got close enough, it rose out and slashed against Frillish and dealt massive damage.

"This is bad. Banette knows some ghost-type attacks, but Frillish doesn't know any." Rukia said. "That means Frillish is going to be taking a lot of damage if Ichigo isn't careful."

"Banette, please use Shadow Claw!" Kutsuzawa ordered. Banette formed a shadow in the shape of a claw around it's arm and went to attack Frillish.

"Frillish use Mist to conceal yourself!" Ichigo said. Frillish breathed out a cloud of mist and stopped Banette in its tracks as it didn't see Frillish anymore.

"Mysterious... Fitting for a ghost-type." Kutsuzawa said.

"Now use Poison Sting!" Ichigo said. Frillish appeared behind Banette. Frillish launched poisonous needles and blasted Banette in the back with it. "Now give them a good Water Pulse!" Frillish used Water Pulse again and blasted Banette in the back. Banette was knocked to the ground and was knocked right out from that attack.

"Banette is unable to battle! Frillish is the winner!" The referee said.

"Yes! Nice, Frillish!" Ichigo said. Frillish was so happy that it wrapped itself around Ichigo, but was constricting him. "Hey. At least wait until we win the whole thing." He said as he tried to get Frillish to let go.

"Banette, please return." Kutsuzawa said as he brought Banette back to its pokeball. "I see you don't let things such as type advantage discourage you. You push on through with the battle and fight to the best of your pokemon's abilities. Not bad, but you won't win that easily. Here's my next pokemon. Come out please, Dhelmise!"

"Dhelmise!"

"Is that really a pokemon?" Orihime questioned as she's never seen one like it.

"It's a ghost-type, but it's also a grass-type. This could be a bigger problem than Banette." Rukia said.

"It is said that Dhelmise came to life of seaweed being possessed. It makes itself out sunken ships." Kutsuzawa said. "A wondering spirit of the sea you might say."

"I don't get it, but I told you that I won't be scared off so easily. Frillish, Poison Sting!" Ichigo said. Frillish started the battle by using the attack, but Dhelmise just spun it's body around and the attack was deflected. That surprised Ichigo and Frillish.

"You'll have to try something better than that if you wish to beat Dhelmise." Kutsuzawa said. "Please use Power Whip." Dhelmise launched it's anchor in green energy. It smashed right into Frillish and pushed Frillish into the wall.

"Frillish!" Ichigo shouted in concern. Dhelmise pulled it's anchor back and Frillish dropped to the ground with Frillish being knocked out.

"Frillish is unable to battle! Dhelmise is the winner!" The referee said.

"Frillish fought bravely, but..." Kutsuzawa praised Frillish, but he stopped when he noticed something wrong with Dhelmise. They all looked and saw Dhelmise had a dark aura around it and looked dizzy. "Oh dear. It looks like Dhelmise has fallen victim to Frillish's Curse Body."

"Curse Body?" Orihime said as she didn't know what was.

"It's Frillish's ability." Chad said.

"If a pokemon makes physical contact with their opponent when they have that ability, it blocks them from using that very attack for a while." Rukia said. "That means Dhelmise won't be able to use Power Whip for a while."

"Frillish, return." Ichigo said as he brought Frillish back in it's pokeball. "You did great. That ability of yours will come in handy." Ichigo might have blocked one attack, but Dhelmise is sure to have other powerful attacks. "Umbreon, you're up next!"

"Umbreon!"

"It's a dark-type this time. Dark-types might have the advantage, but that isn't going to mean you'll win." Kutsuzawa said.

"Umbreon, take Dhelmise down with Shadow Ball!" Ichigo said with Umbreon preparing the attack.

"Dhelmise, Rapid Spin." Kutsuzawa said.

"Dhelmise!" When Umbreon launched its attack, Dhelmise spun around at incredible speed and was able to block the attack. That surely was unexpected.

"Now use Brutal Swing." Kutsuzawa said.

"Quick, Umbreon, Protect!" Ichigo called. Umbreon was about to put up the barrier, but Dhelmise's anchor came at Umbreon incredibly fast and did some damage before Umbreon could use it's move.

"Ouch! Poor Umbreon!" Orihime said.

"Spinning a large anchor like that would be dangerous." Rukia said. "Dhelmise spinning the way it did made that Brutal Swing more powerful."

"Can you go on?" Ichigo questioned. Umbreon took a hard hit, but was able to stand back up.

"Now use Anchor Shot." Kutsuzawa said. Dhelmise shot the anchor again with it smashing against Umbreon again, but it didn't stop there. The chain tangled around Umbreon and tightened around it.

"Oh no! Umbreon's trapped!" Ichigo said.

"Anchor Shot tangles the chain around your pokemon and make it unable to flee." Kutsuzawa said. "There's nowhere to run now." Umbreon tried to get out, but Dhelmise had a strong grip on Umbreon.

"Umbreon use Psychic to get yourself free!" Ichigo said. Umbreon used it's power to loosen the chain. Umbreon was able to move it just enough for Umbreon to slip out.

"Interesting. No one has been able to slip out of Dhelmise's chain that easily." Kutsuzawa said.

"Umbreon, Shadow Ball!" Ichigo said.

"Rapid Spin!" Kutsuzawa said. Dhelmise started spinning again when Umbreon unleashed its attack and it was blocked again.

"There's got to be..." Ichigo wondered how to get past that Rapid Spin until it spotted the center. "Use Shadow Ball again! Aim straight for the center!" Umbreon unleashed the attack again and blasted Dhelmise right in the center of the spinning. That one did a lot of damage and knocked Dhelmise out.

"Dhelmise is unable to battle! Umbreon is the winner!" The referee said.

"It worked!" Orihime said as she was happy that Ichigo won again.

"How did he do it?" Chad questioned.

"The center of all that spinning was a weak spot. Just like the eye of a storm is it's weak point." Rukia said.

"Nicely done, Ichigo. You're a better trainer than I thought, but I'm afraid our battle is about to reach it's end." Kutsuzawa said as he pulled out his last pokeball. "Here is my final pokemon. Come out, Chandelure!"

"Chandelure!"

"Chandelure's flame burns strongly." Kutsuzawa claimed. "It's like an eternal blue flame, a flame that will never go out."

"We'll see about that. Umbreon, Shadow Ball!" Ichigo said.

"Inferno!" Kutsuzawa said. Both pokemon used their attacks, but Chandelure's inferno was stronger. It easily beat Shadow Ball and blasted Umbreon with and explosion going off.

"Umbreon!" Ichigo called. The smoke cleared away and showed that Umbreon was beaten.

"Umbreon is unable to battle. Chandelure is the winner." The referee said.

"Poor Umbreon." Orihime said.

"He still has Absol." Chad said.

"Yeah, but I bet Kutsuzawa is ready for it." Rukia said. Ichigo brought Umbreon back in its pokeball and was getting serious.

"Absol, it's all on you." Ichigo said.

"Absol." Absol ran out on the battlefield and was ready for this battle.

"So, it seems we've come down to our final battle." Kutsuzawa said. "I won't make it easy."

"Absol, give them your Night Slash!" Ichigo said. Absol charged right at Chandelure with the attack ready.

"Will-o-Wisp." Kutsuzawa said. Chandelure used the attack as it unleashed blue flames, but Absol was able to avoid them as it kept going. "Let's try Haze." Chandelure unleashed a dark smoke cloud with Absol missing it's target.

"Where is it? I can't see a thing." Ichigo said as he and Absol looked around for it. Chandelure showed itself right in front of Absol.

"Inferno." Kutsuzawa said. Chandelure blasted Absol real easily with the attack. Absol bounced against the ground after that attack. It didn't stop there as flames burst out of Absol and did more damage. "There's the additional effect of Inferno. Looks like Absol has been burned. Now use Hex." Chandelure's eyes glowed an ominous color and sent Absol flying with him smashing into the wall.

"Absol! Are you hurt?!" Ichigo asked. Absol was still suffering from the burn, but it was able to pulled himself out of the wall.

"Did that Hex look stronger than before?" Orihime asked.

"Good eye. Hex deals even more damage when the opponent is suffering from a status condition." Rukia said.

"Since Absol is burning, Hex did even more damage." Chad said.

"We better finish this fast or else Absol's done for." Ichigo said as Absol got back on the field.

"Chandelure, please use Inferno again." Kutsuzawa said. Chandelure unleashed the flames at Absol again.

"Now use Razor Wind! Aim for the flames!" Ichigo said. Absol used the attack and had it clash against Inferno. The colliding attacks caused an explosion to go off. "Now use Night Slash!" Absol moved fast as he moved through the smoke and smashed his horn against Chandelure.

"Impressive. He used Razor Wind, an attack that would have no effect on Chandelure, and used it to block ours." Kutsuzawa said. "Then, he used the smoke to conceal Absol to attack. He's a skilled trainer." Absol landed down, but still suffered from burn. "Of course, Absol is still in pain from the burn."

"Hang in there, Absol. Use Swords Dance to increase your power!" Ichigo said. Absol generated swords around himself and made himself stronger.

"I say we put an end to this. Use Hex!" Kutsuzawa said. Chandelure used the attack and tried to push Absol back, but Absol was doing his best to resist it. That wasn't what Kutsuzawa was expecting.

"That's it! Hang in there and use Pyscho Cut!" Ichigo said. Absol did his best to resist Hex and was able to unleash the attack. It blasted Chandelure and sent it flying into the wall.

"What power!" Kutsuzawa said as he was amazed with what they just pulled. Chandelure slid down the wall and was knocked out.

"Chandelure is unable to battle! Absol is the winner, and the victor is the challenger!" The referee said.

"You did it, Absol!" Ichigo said as he ran over to Absol and helped him stay standing.

"You were amazing, Ichigo!" Orihime said.

"You really were." Kutsuzawa said once he brought Chandelure back in it's pokeball. "You adapted well to every situation and used your pokemon's attacks well. That's why you deserve this badge." He said as he handed a badge that looked similar to a clock. "This is the Time Badge."

"Thanks a lot." Ichigo said as he took his badge. That makes the third badge.

"Ghost pokemon might represent aspects of time, but the bonds between trainer and pokemon can last forever." Kutsuzawa claimed to represent this moment. "You have three badges now. If you're interested, the gym closest from here is in Jacklot City. It would only take a day or two to get there."

"Jacklot City? Didn't Rena tell us that's where she's from?" Rukia questioned.

"Yeah. I could give her a call and tell her we're on our way there." Orihime said.

"Sounds like it could be a great spot for my next badge. I say we go for it." Ichigo said as he can't wait for his next badge.

Ichigo has managed to win his third badge. He's one step closer to entering the Kalos League. Now that he knows the next destination for his next gym battle, our heroes can't wait to see what's ahead of them. I'm sure you don't want to miss it either. So stay tuned.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Hello again, all you trainers. Here's the answer to the last question. The answer was...Sharpedo. With a rough and tough pokemon like Sharpedo, it's known as the Bully of the Sea. Here's the next question. Other than Lunatone, what pokemon best represents the moon?