Our heroes are continuing on with their journey. Ichigo now has a total of four badges. As they are on their way and trying to figure out where to go, they are about to encounter a familiar face.

"Stufful, try Double-Edge!" Orihime's rival, Riruka, was in the middle of a battle in a small town near the pokemon center. Stufful charged right at the opponent, but they didn't seem too concerned.

"Bronzor, Gyro Ball!" Bronzor spun around in a light. It smashed against Stufful and did some damage as it was able to beat Stufful's attack. Ichigo and his friends were passing by when they saw the battle go on.

"Is that Riruka?" Ichigo said.

"Yeah." Orihime said. "It looks like she's battling, but who is it?" They all had a look to see who Riruka was battling. It was a big guy with red hair and an orange mohawk. He had headphone around his neck with a green top and jeans. Just by looking at this guy, you could tell he means business.

Pokemon

No time to question my moves

I stick to the path that I choose

Me and my friends are gonna do it right

You'll never see us runaway from a fight

To be a master is my dream

All I have to do is believe

(I believe)

I'm on a master quest

(Master quest)

I'm on my way to victory

I can be a champion if I just believe

I'm on a master quest

(Master quest)

I want the whole world to see

(I believe)

I'm gonna be the very best

Cause all I have to do is believe in me

Pokemon!

(Ichigo's voice) Hard Headed

"Let's finish this battle right here and now. Bronzor, Flash Cannon!"

"Bronzor!" Bronzor unleashed a blast of light. Stufful got blasted by the attack and was blown away from it. Stufful was knocked out and was no longer able to battle.

"Stufful!" Riruka called as she hurried to her. She lifted Stufful and was frustrated that she lost. "Stufful, you did your best." She said as she got Stufful back in her pokeball.

"Don't be too hard. It was a good battle." Bronzor's trainer said as he had Bronzor return to its pokeball as well.

"Riruka!" Orihime called with Riruka noticing all of them.

"Hey, guys." Riruka said. "What are all of you doing here?"

"We were just going to stay at the center and figure out where to go from here." Rukia said.

"Is Stufful okay?" Ichigo asked.

"Stufful might be, but that Koga is a real tough guy." Riruka said. Koga walked over to them so that he could introduce himself.

"Are these friends of yours, Riruka?" Koga asked.

"You can say that." Riruka said.

"Hi. I'm Ichigo, and this is my Absol."

"Absol."

"I'm Orihime."

"My name is Rukia."

"And I'm Chad."

"It's nice to meet all of you." Koga said. "Riruka, it was a good battle, but you should probably get Stufful to Nurse Joy. I'm going to do the same to make sure all of my pokemon are still in battling shape."

"Yeah, good idea." Riruka said. All of them moved inside the pokemon center so their pokemon could get looked at and make sure that all of them were going to be okay.

"I'm sorry you lost the battle, Riruka." Orihime said.

"Don't worry about it." Riruka said. "The guy was a tough one anyway. Enough about me. What about you, Orihime? Have you managed to get any star medals yet?"

"Yeah. I managed to get one, but I sadly lost the last competition I was in." Orihime said.

"How many medals do you have, Riruka?" Ichigo asked. Riruka was acting a little smug with the large smirk on her face. She took out her case and showed that she already managed to get three star medals. "Oh man. She's already got three."

"That's right. One more and I'll be able to enter Ultimate Talent Star." Riruka said.

"That's pretty good." Ichigo said. His little compliment made her blush, but she was trying her best to hide it.

"So we have two little performers here." Koga said. "It also seems like you two have a bit of a rivalry going on."

"I guess you could say that." Orihime said. "Riruka and I battled during my first competition here in the Kalos region, but she won."

"But I still need to get a little stronger if I want to win that fourth medal." Riruka said as she put her case away. "That's why I accepted this big guy's challenge. Although, why a gym leader would want to battle the likes of me seems a little foolished."

"Gym leader?" Ichigo questioned.

"What do you mean by gym leader?" Rukia asked.

"That's a stupid question." Riruka said. "I'm talking about the big guy made out of iron here. Koga happens to be the gym leader of Bountful City."

"You're a gym leader?!" Ichigo said as all of them were shocked to hear that he was.

"That's right." Koga said. All of them had a seat with Koga telling them more about him being a gym leader.

"If you're the gym leader, why aren't you at the gym?" Orihime asked.

"Even gym leaders need a break, and some time to train their pokemon." Koga said. "My gym's specialty is with steel-types. I take my pokemon to endure attacks and use that endurance to attack. They say a best defense is a good offense."

"What do you mean?" Rukia asked.

"I know what he's talking about." Riruka said. "He did it against me. He finds ways to use defensive attacks and uses them for offense."

"Makes sense." Chad said. "Steel-types are strong and endurable pokemon."

"I guess I'll see it for myself eventually." Ichigo said. "Koga, I'm challenging gyms to enter the Kalos League. I've already got four badges, and I need to find where to get my fifth."

"I see. You wish to challenge my gym next? I'll gladly take your challenge." Koga said. "An official gym battle will have to wait until you're at the actual gym, but I can still give you a demonstration of my abilities. I still have one pokemon that's still fit for a good battle. If you like, we can have a practice battle."

"That sounds like it could be fun." Ichigo said. "I'm in!" They all went back to the battlefield for this battle. Ichigo and Koga stood against each and were ready for this like any other battle.

"Here's the pokemon I'm using, Ichigo." Koga said as he let out his pokemon. It ended up being a Lairon.

"Lairon!"

"He's using a Lairon." Chad said.

"It's a steel-type, but it's a rock-type as well." Rukia said.

"A steel-type and a rock-type." Ichigo said as he was trying to figure out what pokemon to use. "Frillish might be able to do the trick, but fighting-types can deal even more damage. Scraggy, you're up!"

"Scraggy!"

"A Scraggy... That might be a good choice, but gym leaders can be tough." Riruka said. "I can't wait to see how this one is going to go."

"Don't worry. Ichigo has had plenty of experience against gym leaders." Orihime said.

"You can have the first move." Ichigo said.

"Very well. Iron Defense." Koga said. He didn't really start with an attack, but Lairon hardened it's body and raised some defensive power.

"He must be getting ready for what he was talking about. Scraggy, Brick Break!" Ichigo said. Scraggy charged at Lairon and was getting ready to attack.

"Rock Polish!" Koga said. Lairon had sparks emit from its body. When Scraggy jumped up to attack, Lairon moved incredible fast and was able to avoid the attack. "Now use Metal Claw!"

"Lairon!" Lairon charged at Scraggy with incredible speed and smashed its shining claws against Scraggy.

"How did Lairon move so fast?!" Orihime questioned.

"Rock Polish increases a pokemon's speed." Chad said.

"And he's just getting started." Riruka said.

"Iron Defense!" Koga said with Lairon hardening it's body again. "Now use Headbutt!"

"We'll match that! Zen Headbutt!" Ichigo said. The two pokemon charged at each other. They collided, but Scraggy was the one that was sent flying.

"Why was Scraggy the one sent flying?!" Orihime questioned.

"Force combined with Lairon's weight and speed added some real power to that attack." Rukia said. "I'm starting to see what you were talking about before, Riruka."

"Yeah. The guy adds to his pokemon's defensive power and finds ways to use defense power for offensive purposes." Riruka said. "That's how he was able to beat my Stufful around pretty good. Knowing that, how's Ichigo going to deal with this one?"

"Scraggy, can you keep going?" Ichigo asked. Scraggy took some damage, but was still able to get back up.

"I think this battle is just about over. Let's use Headbutt again!" Koga said. Lairon charged again. Another blow from a Headbutt like that could deal some real damage against Scraggy.

"Focus Blast!" Ichigo said. Scraggy found the strength to use the attack and caused Lairon to crash right into the attack. Lairon was blown back by the attack and did some damage.

"Impressive. If Lairon hadn't raised its defense with Iron Defense, Lairon might have been finished." Koga said. "Lairon, can you keep battling?" Lairon was struggling to get back up. It seemed like it was on the verge of defeat, but Lairon suddenly began to glow.

"Look at that!" Orihime said as everyone was shocked.

"Is that what I think it is?!" Riruka said.

"My Lairon is beginning to evolve." Koga said as he was pleased with this. Lairon grew bigger and was standing on two legs with horns coming out of it's head.

"Aggron!"

"Lairon just evolved into Aggron!" Chad said.

"Are you really surprised? Even gym leaders have pokemon that can still evolve." Koga said. "We gym leaders are just other trainers with strong pokemon."

"And this is just any other battle. Scraggy, Brick Break!" Ichigo said.

"Scraggy!" Scraggy went at Aggron to attack again. It jumped in the air and was about to chop Aggron, but Aggron was able to catch Scraggy. That was certainly a surprise. Aggron held Scraggy out as Scraggy kept trying to attack, but couldn't even reach Aggron.

"Now use Headbutt!" Koga said. Aggron smashed its head against Scraggy and sent it flying back. "Finish it with Metal Claw!" Aggron was still under the effects of Rock Polish. Aggron closed the distance and gave Scraggy a powerful strike that sent Scraggy flying and was knocked out. "It looks like that's it."

"Scraggy, return." Ichigo said as he brought Scraggy back in its pokeball. "That's one tough Aggron you've got there."

"Now do you see what I was talking about? A strong defense can make a strong offense." Koga said. "If you still wish to challenge my gym, Ichigo, I'll take you on there."

"Thanks. I'll win and get my fifth badge there." Ichigo said. Meeting Koga has helped Ichigo decide where his next gym battle should be, but he'll be up against a tough opponent. Once they made sure all their pokemon were well, Ichigo and the others were about to part ways with Riruka.

"I guess we'll see you around, Riruka." Orihime said.

"You know, there's another talent star competition going on in Allena Town. It's not that far from here." Riruka said. "If you're interested Orihime, you should compete."

"Really? Thank you." Orihime said. Riruka pulled Orihime to talk in her ear.

"Don't think I forgot about the other thing. You better step it up." Riruka whispered before she looked towards Ichigo. "Ichigo, you may have lost, but I think you were still pretty cool. Good luck in your actual gym battle."

"Thanks." Ichigo said with Orihime blushing now that she knows what Riruka was talking about. With words of encouragement from a rival, Ichigo and the others hit the road.

After meeting Koga, Ichigo has another gym battle to look forward to, and Orihime has another competition to attend. Heading further out towards their goals, they'll soon reach the challenges that await them. Just be sure you're there when it happens.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Okay, all you future trainers. We're back with another question. What poison-type's poison is used for medical purposes that some pharmacies consider using it as a mascot? The answer to come next time.