As the Jacklot Battle Tournament draws closer and closer to its end, Ichigo has recognized what a powerful trainer Tsukishima is. They were suppose to be working together as a tag team, but Tsukishima took control and easily beat the opponents on his own. Now, the two of them will face each other to determine the winner. Does Ichigo even have a chance against him?

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) Stunning and Troubling

"Absol, Night Slash!" Ichigo said. Absol slashed against a piece of wood. Ichigo and Absol were training hard for the upcoming battle against Tsukishima. After seeing what he's seen with the guy, Ichigo needs to be ready for anything. "You're doing great, Absol."

"Ichigo..." Orihime said as she came over. "Are you ready?"

"I hope so. Against Tsukishima, I've got to be ready for the unexpected." Ichigo said. "Not only is that guy powerful, but he's got a few tricks up his sleeve. That's why I'm going to need Absol to be at the top of his game."

"Absol."

"Well, we better get going. Your battle is suppose to start soon." Orihime said. Ichigo and Absol followed her back to the arena. What none of them knew was that Tsukishima was right there. He wanted to see what Ichigo can really do and he got an idea or two on that.

"He really thinks he can defeat me." Tsukishima said. "I will admit that he does have some decent pokemon. I guess I'll have to use one of my better pokemon." Tsukishima understands that Ichigo is a serious trainer himself. This is sure to be an interesting battle.

...

The Arena

"We are here! It's the final battle at our annual tournament!" The mayor said as they were entering the final battle. Everyone was looking forward to this. "We've had some interesting battles this year, but it all comes down to one last battle between two trainers. Please welcome Ichigo and Tsukishima!" Everyone cheered for them as they stood on both sides of the field and were ready to go.

"Good luck, Ichigo!" Orihime called.

"Yeah! Show that guy who the top trainer is!" Keigo said. Orihime and Keigo might be cheering for him, but the others were being a little more realistic. They are on Ichigo's side, but they also know that Tsukishima won't be easy to beat.

"It's not going to be easy for Ichigo to beat that guy." Kugo said.

"No joke. Ichigo has got to be at the top of his game." Rukia said.

"We will soon see who our annual winner is." The mayor said. "When both trainers are ready, you may bring out your pokemon and begin!"

"Let's do this, Absol!" Ichigo said.

"Absol!" Absol ran out on the field and was ready for a battle.

"Come out, Milotic." Tsukishima said.

"Milotic!"

"A Milotic?!" Rukia said.

"It's beautiful..." Orihime said.

"No surprise. Milotic is considered the most beautiful pokemon in the world." Mizuiro said. "Milotic can be as powerful as they are beautiful. This could be a tough battle."

"We'll win this right here, right now!" Ichigo said. "Absol, take it to them with Razor Wind!"

"Absol!" Absol readied the attack and gave it a good toss. It looked like it was going to hit, but Milotic was able to slither away from the attack.

"Milotic, Twister." Tsukishima said. Milotic spun its tail like a propeller and generated a powerful gust of wind. Absol got blasted by it and was being pushed back.

"You okay, Absol?" Ichigo said. Absol was able to shake off the attack and keep going.

"Is that really the best you can do?" Tsukishima said. "I should have known. You even wouldn't have made it this far if you weren't partnered with me."

"Oh yeah?!" Ichigo said as he found that offensive. "We'll show you! Absol, Night Slash!"

"Milotic, Iron Tail." Absol charged at Milotic and slashed his horn at Milotic, but Milotic's tail hardened to iron and was able to block the attack. "Now use Aqua Tail." Milotic's tail was surrounded by water and blasted Absol with it.

"Absol is getting pummeled out there while Milotic hasn't taken any damage." The mayor said. "Can Ichigo make some sort of comeback?"

"You bet we will, but we're going to need some extra power." Ichigo said. "Absol, Swords Dance!" Absol generated swords around him and gained some extra power. "Now use Razor Wind!"

"Milotic, Hydro Pump!" Tsukishima said. The two of them launched their attacks. Their attacks collided against each other and cancelled each other out. "Now use Iron Tail." Milotic went at Absol and smashed its tail against Absol and did some more damage. "Now use Aqua Tail."

"Absol, dodge it!" Ichigo said. Milotic had its tail surrounded in water and tried to smash it down on, but Absol was able to jump out of the way.

"Absol seems to be holding out well against Milotic, but can Absol last or make a comeback?" The mayor said.

"He certainly is lasting longer than we did against Tsukishima, but there's no way of telling if it's going to last." Rukia said.

"Ichigo better think of something to end this fast." Mizuiro said. "The longer this battle goes on, the bigger the chances are of Ichigo loosing." Ichigo could see this was a troubling battle for him as well. Milotic really is as powerful as it is beautiful.

'We've got to do something to end this fast.' Ichigo thought. 'We need to be able to get an attack in or else we can't win. His attacks are powerful. Every movement his pokemon makes holds purpose, no missteps, and he's just showing off by making his pokemon look good. There's got to be something we can do.'

"I say it's time we put an end to this. Milotic, Iron Tail." Tsukishima said.

"Mi!" Milotic went at Absol again with Absol ready to move.

"Absol, don't dodge! Stand your ground!" Ichigo said. That was a strange command to give, but Absol trusted him. Absol absorbed the attack as Milotic slammed its tail against Absol, but Absol tried his best not to budge.

"What's going on?! Absol took the attack!" The mayor said as he voiced the shock everyone was feeling. They expected Absol took a lot of damage, but Absol was still going strong. Tsukishima actually seemed surprise that Absol was still going.

"Now use Night Slash!" Ichigo said. Absol pushed Milotic's tail out of the way and slashed his horn against Milotic. Milotic was knocked to the ground, but was still willing to battle. Tsukishima actually seemed a little surprised.

"I admit it. That wasn't half bad." Tsukishima said.

"We're just getting started! Absol, Psycho Cut!" Ichigo said. Absol continued the attack as he launched the attack. It was able to hit Milotic again and do some damage. Ichigo and Absol were starting to make a comeback.

"This is the first time any of Tsukishima's pokemon took damage in the tournament!" The mayor said. "We're looking at a real battle here."

"I guess I should quit pulling my punches." Tsukishima said. "Milotic, let's show them what I mean. Twister!" Milotic generated the twister again and hit Absol with it. Absol was trying his best to hold off against the attack.

"Hang in there, Absol! We can do this!" Ichigo called. Absol was doing his best to hold off against Milotic's attacks. However, Milotic closed the distance between the two of them and wrapped its tail around Absol. Absol was lifted off the ground with Milotic holding a firm grip on him.

"What's this? Milotic has Absol in a hold, but what's going to happen now?" The mayor said.

"The end of this battle." Tsukishima said. "Milotic, Hydro Pump!"

"Get out of there, Absol!" Ichigo called. Absol tried to get out of Milotic's grip, but it was no use. Milotic blasted Absol with Hydro Pump at such a close range. That had to have done a lot of damage. When the dust cleared away, Milotic placed Absol down and Absol was clearly knocked out.

"Absol is unable to battle! Milotic is the winner!" The referee claimed.

"That is that! Tsukishima is this year's winner!" The mayor said with the crowd cheering. Ichigo's friends were all shocked that Absol lost. Ichigo hurried over to Absol and tried to help him.

"Absol! Tell me you're okay!" Ichigo said. Absol was able to pull himself together, but struggled getting back up. "It's okay. I've got you." He said as he helped Absol stand again. Ichigo looked to Tsukishima and was disappointed in himself that he lost. Tsukishima is quite the trainer. With Tsukishima being declared as the winner, he was being rewarded the Lunar Wing.

"Congratulations to Tsukishima." The mayor said as he handed him the Lunar Wing and Tsukishima took it. "The Lunar Wing is now yours. May it bring you bliss and good fortune."

"Thank you." Tsukishima said. Even though he was the one that won, Ichigo and his friends were good sports and applaud for his win. Still, Ichigo was upset that he lost.

"Come on. Don't be a sore loser." Rukia said.

"I'm not." Ichigo denied.

"Ichigo, it's okay. Absol did better than the rest of us against him." Orihime said. "It's not like you won't beat him next time." Ichigo could see the reasoning behind that and was starting to feel a little better.

"Thank you all for coming. We'll see you all again next year." The mayor said as the tournament came to an end.

...

Later

With the tournament cleared out, Ichigo and his friends were parting ways with their little rivals.

"Sorry you didn't win, Ichigo." Mizuiro said.

"Just you wait. Next time, we'll be a lot stronger." Keigo said.

"I'm sure you will." Ichigo said, but he had some doubts on that.

"So, what are the rest of you planning to do now?" Kugo said.

"Now that the tournament is over, I'm going to try and challenge the gym here." Ichigo said.

"I'm sure you'll win it here. So long." Keigo said as he and the others went their separate ways. As they bid farewell to their friends, Chad spotted someone else.

"Tsukishima...?" Chad said. All of them looked and saw Tsukishima was there. He looked right at Ichigo and Ichigo stared right back. Tsukishima actually looked amused.

"I'm looking forward to battling you again, Ichigo." Tsukishima said and was on his way. None of them expected him to say that. It was certainly a surprise.

"Well, next time we battle him, we'll win." Ichigo said.

"Absol."

Even though none of our heroes won the Jacklot Battle Tournament, they had a fun time. Now that they bid farewell to their friends, Ichigo gets himself ready for his upcoming gym battle. So stay tune to see what happens next.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Okay, all you pokemon trainers. The answer to the last question was...Braviary! Braviary can be used in most emblems for it's bravery and power. Here's the next question. What pokemon's fickleness make it popular among trainers?