"There it is! Just up ahead!" Rukia said as they arrived at a building.

"That's the Jacklot Gym?" Orihime asked.

"Yep. That's what it says on the map." Rukia said.

"Great. Time to get that fourth badge." Ichigo said as he headed straight for the gym.

Now that the Jacklot Battle Tournament is over, there's nothing stopping Ichigo from challenging the Jacklot Gym, or is there?

When Ichigo walked up to the door of the gym, they saw a sign on it that said the gym was closed.

"It's still closed?" Ichigo said. "You've got to be kidding me. Rena told us it was closed for the tournament. The tournament is over now."

"It is rather unusual for a gym to be closed without there being a good reason." Rukia said. "Maybe there's a problem inside or something." Neither of them knew what to do about this. That was until they heard a noise coming from around the gym. It actually sounded like a fight.

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) Proving the Master

All of them were curious as to what was going on. When they had a look around the gym, they saw a young man and his pokemon. It looked like they were fighting each other. The trainer had a shaved head with a buzz mohawk. He wore a black jacket and pants with a red shirt that had a face on it and he had bandages around his right knuckle. As for the pokemon, it was one that kept throwing punches like a boxer.

"Who's that pokemon?" Orihime asked.

"That's a Hitmochan. Are those two training?" Rukia said.

"Come on, Hitmochan! Come at me with all you've got!" The trainer said.

"Chan!" Hitmochan and his trainer went at each other. The two of them threw punches at each other and were able to hit each other right in the face. Ichigo and the others were surprised as they never saw a trainer and his pokemon train like that.

"Shishigawara!" They all saw an old man walk on the field. He had a long grey beard with his hair tied back. He also wore a beige robe with him walking around with the use of a wooden cane.

"Master Tetsushira!" Shishigawara said as he and his Hitmochan stood up straight. "Have you decided yet? I promise you that Hitmochan and I are right for the job."

"Not yet." Tetsushira said. "I'm here to let you know that we seem to have visitors." Tetsushira looked in the direction Ichigo and the others were standing. They were all felt like they were in trouble since they were spotted.

"Hey! Are you guys spying on us?!" Shishigawara said as he stood ready for a fight.

"Calm down." Ichigo said as he and the others stepped out. "My name is Ichigo. The reason we're here is because I want to challenge this gym."

"A challenger?! Perfect! I'm Shishigawara, the gym leader, and I accept your challenge!" Shishigawara was ready for a battle, but Tetsushira smacked him on the head with his cane. Hitmochan felt like his trainer was an idiot for that.

"I keep telling you that you are not the gym leader just yet." Tetsushira said.

"Why not?! I battle harder than anyone else in the dojo! My pokemon and I are in great shape!" Shishigawara claimed. "Master, I promise you that I have what it takes to be a gym leader." He was trying to convince Tetsushira, but it seems like he's pretty firm on where he stands. Shishigawara was running out of patience with all this and just ran off.

"Hitmochan!" Hitmochan wanted to go with him.

"Just back off, Hitmochan!" Shishigawara shouted and just kept running.

"That boy..." Tetsushira said as he really didn't know what to think of him.

"Excuse me, but what was that about?" Orihime asked.

"I'm sorry you saw all that." Tetsushira said. "You came here to challenge the gym, right?"

"Yeah, but there's a sign that says its closed." Ichigo said.

"Let me explain. My name is Tetsushira. I happen to be the actual gym leader of this gym."

"You are? So why is your gym closed?" Ichigo asked.

"It's like this..." Tetsushira said as he began to explain the situation. "The Jacklot Gym specializes in fighting-types. We battle using heart, guts, and spirit. However, I'm not getting any younger. I thought it was time I retired as gym leader. I wish to make one of my students the next gym leader. Shishigawara is trying to prove himself to me that it should be him."

"Prove himself?" Rukia said as she thought that was an interesting bit.

"What you witnessed was him and his Hitmochan training together." Tetsushira said. "Shishigawara loves battling, even battles his own pokemon himself to make them stronger. Still, I'm not convinced he's ready to be gym leader. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the gym is without a leader until this matter is resolved. I have yet to find anyone to take my place."

"I see. I guess it can't be helped." Ichigo said.

"We should probably just find another gym, Ichigo. There doesn't appear to be much we can do here." Chad said. Ichigo seemed to feel the same, but Rukia wasn't convinced herself.

"Wait. I want to talk to this Shishigawara myself." Rukia said with the others surprised she wants to do that. "Hitmochan, do you know where he ran off to?"

"Hitmochan." Hitmochan motioned for Rukia to follow him. She took off with the others curious as to what she was doing.

...

Shishigawara

Shishigawara was pretty upset that his master wouldn't choose him to be the next gym leader. He ran all the way to a river and was trying to clear his head.

"So this is where you ran off." Shishigawara turned around and was met with Rukia and Hitmochan.

"You're the girl from before." Shishigawara said. "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk." Rukia said as she had a seat next to him.

...

The Gym

While they were all waiting for Rukia to show up, Tetsushira gave Ichigo and the others a tour of the gym. They saw a series of students training to be martial artists and training with their pokemon.

"These are the rest of my students." Tetsushira said. "I train them to help them become stronger and hope that one of them can be the next gym leader. I haven't made my decision yet, but they all do their best."

"Does Shishigawara do the same?" Ichigo asked.

"Yes. In fact, Shishigawara might be one of the best battlers in the gym." Tetsushira said.

"If he is, how come you don't make him the gym leader?" Chad asked.

"Being a great battler does not make a gym leader." Tetsushira said. "He's a great battler, but I'm not sure he's ready for the responsibilities that come with being the gym leader."

"Maybe he is and you don't see it." Orihime said. "It just sounds like you're not really giving him a chance." That had Tetsushira doing some thinking on his decision making.

...

Shishigawara

"Your master told us that you're trying to prove yourself to him about becoming the next gym leader." Rukia said. "I know what it's like to try and prove yourself to someone and how frustrating it can be."

"You do?" Shishigawara asked.

"Yeah. For me, it's my older brother." Rukia said. "My brother is a gym leader back in Unova. He's actually one of the best and could become one of the Elite Four if he wanted. Sometimes I feel like I can't measure up to him, but I travel and battle to make myself stronger to have him acknowledge my abilities."

"That's just what I'm doing, but it seems like it won't happen." Shishigawara said as he really doesn't know what to do. Hitmochan placed his hand Shishigawara's shoulder and smiled showing he has support.

"It looks like to me Hitmochan believes in you. You certainly have one person who has your back." Rukia said. There was some comfort knowing Hitmochan has his back. "You know, I think we should have a battle."

"A battle? You and me? What good will that do?" Shishigawara asked.

"It might show your master that you are ready to be gym leader." Rukia said. It seemed like an interesting idea, but would it even work.

...

The Gym

"You want to battle against me?" Ichigo asked.

"You did come all this way to challenge the gym. The least you should get is a battle with the former gym leader." Tetsushira said. "It can't be an official gym battle, but we can have a one-on-one battle."

"You're on." Ichigo said as he never turned down from a challenge. They all moved to the battlefield to have this battle. Rukia and Shishigawara came back and saw what was going on.

"What's this? Is Ichigo about to battle Tetsushira?" Rukia asked.

"Sure is." Orihime said.

"Did you do what you needed to do?" Chad asked, but the two of them held off on the answer.

"One of my students will act as the referee." Tetsushira said as his students gathered to see this battle and one stepped forward to be the referee. "Now, allow me to introduce you to my ace partner. Let's go, Grapploct!"

"Grapploct!"

"I've never seen that pokemon before." Ichigo said.

"Absol..." Absol looked ready for a battle, but Ichigo held Absol back.

"Wait, Absol. This gym utilizes fighting-type pokemon." Ichigo said. "That must be what Grapploct is. You would be at a big disadvantage." Absol understood and stood down with Ichigo going with a different pokemon. "Frillish, I choose you!"

"Frillish!"

"Coming at us with a ghost-type. That won't be enough." Tetsushira said. "The first attack is yours."

"Frillish, Water Pulse!" Ichigo said. Frillish tossed the orb of water with it heading for Grapploct. Grapploct didn't even bother dodging it. It crossed its tentacles and was able to block the attack.

"Bulk Up!" Tetsushira said. Grapploct flexed its muscles and grew stronger. "Now use Octazooka!" Grapploct formed a black energy ball and launched it at Frillish. Frillish got hit by the attack and was blown back.

"Ouch. That looked like it hurt." Orihime said.

"Octazooka is a water-type attack. It normally wouldn't do much damage against Frillish, but that Bulk Up made the attack stronger."

"Frillish, Poison Sting!" Ichigo said. Frillish launched a series of poisonous needles at Grapploct, but Grapploct used its tentacles and was able to deflect each one of the needles. Ichigo and the others were shocked about what just happened. "Oh man! It's like Grapploct didn't even feel that!"

"Grapploct and I trained rigorously in my youth." Tetsushira said. "You'll have to use more powerful attacks than that if you wish to beat Grapploct. Grapploct, grab Frillish!" Grapploct leaped at Frillish and got a firm grip on Frillish.

"That's not good for your friend." Shishigawara said. "Once Grapploct has you in its grips, it won't let go so easily."

"Come on, Frillish! Slip out!" Ichigo said, but Frillish couldn't even move.

"Octazooka." Tetsushira said. Grapploct held out a spare arm and charged the attack. Grapploct blasted Frillish with Frillish being blown to the ground.

"Frillish, can you keep goin?!" Ichigo said as Frillish tried to get back up.

"Mud Shot." Tetsushira said. Grapploct was getting ready to attack again.

"Frillish, Mist!" Ichigo said. Frillish breathed out mist and tried to hide itself.

"That won't save you." Tetsushira said. Grapploct closed its eyes and tried to focus. Grapploct tried to sense where Frillish was. Grapploct got a sense of where Frillish was through the mist. Grapploct shot mud through the mist and blasted Frillish. Frillish got hit pretty hard by the attack and was knocked out.

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

"Frillish!" Ichigo called as he hurried over and lifted Frillish up. "Get some rest." He brought Frillish back in its pokeball. "You and Grapploct are really strong."

"You're a decent trainer yourself, Ichigo." Tetsushira said.

"That's Master Tetsushira for you. I really hope I can be the gym leader because I want to be strong just like him." Shishigawara said.

"Sir, I really do wish to challenge this gym. Maybe if you see Shishigawara battle as a gym leader, it might convince you." Ichigo said. Tetsushira thought about it and was thinking that he should give Shishigawara a chance.

"Wait a minute!" Rukia said. "I happened to have asked Shishigawara for a battle first!" Rukia stating that was certainly a surprised to all of them.

Upon arriving at the Jacklot Gym, it would seem Ichigo's battle will have to wait a little longer. With Rukia's statement saying that she's going to battle Shishigawara first, things should be an interesting turn of events. So, stay tune to see how this all plays out.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Here we go, all you trainers. The answer to the last question was...Glameow! Glameow's fickleness make it popular among trainers. Here's the next question. What pokemon sniffs out dreams through it's big nose and can devour them?