Our heroes were continuing on their journey until they hit a small detour.

"A Gliscore?" Ichigo questioned as they all wondered why a Gliscore would get in their way. Ichigo got a good look at the Gliscore and it seemed very familiar. "Wait a minute. I'm sure that's the same Gliscore we met before."

"I think you're right." Rukia said. They all remembered that's the same Gliscore that they met back in Boota City.

"Have you been following us ever since?" Ichigo questioned. "Why?" Gliscore pointed right at Absol and dared it to come at it.

"Does it want to battle Absol?" Orihime asked.

"Is that the reason you came all the way out here?" Ichigo said. "If you want to battle so badly, you've got one."

"Absol!" Absol stepped forward as he accepted Gliscore's challenge. Little did any of them know that this set in motion something else going on.

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) Back to Basics

"Gliscore!" Gliscore started this little battle with Steel Wing. Gliscore flew Absol, but Absol jumped right over Gliscore and avoided the attack. Gliscore turned around and smashed its claw against the ground. Stone rocks shot out of the ground. Absol got hit by the attack and was shot in the air.

"That's some Stone Edge!" Rukia said. Gliscore wasn't finished as it came at Absol with another Steel Wing.

"Absol, Razor Wind!" Ichigo said. Absol was able to attack while it was in the air like that. Gliscore was already so close to Absol. It caused an explosion to go off. Both pokemon were sent flying from it. "Absol!" Ichigo called as Absol was being blown further and further away.

...

A Young Boy

Meanwhile, a young boy was walking through the streets. He wasn't even old enough to be a trainer. He had red hair, wore glasses, a yellow/green hoodie, and green shorts. He looked pretty upset. He was just walking around.

"Absol!" Absol landed on a hill and slid down until he crashed into the boy.

"Ow! That hurt!" Absol got up and tried to see if the boy was okay. "I've never seen a pokemon like you before." He said as he was amazed by Absol. "I think I discovered a new species! The others are going to be blown away by this!" Absol was trying to get him to settle down, but this boy seemed too excited. "Come on!" He grabbed Absol by the horn and started dragging Absol with him. Absol didn't like it, but he didn't want to hurt a kid either. So, he just went with it. He took Absol to his two friends. One was dressed like a junior punk and the other was dressed like a prep school boy.

"There you are, Mikey." The small punk said.

"I told you I be back, Jock. Jock and Albert, check out this cool pokemon! It's a brand new species!" Mikey said as he introduced Absol.

"Seriously?! A new species?!" Jock said as he was amazed by how Absol looked.

"Wait a minute." Albert said. He pulled out a small book and it was about pokemon. "I knew it. Look here. It's called an Absol." He showed them a section on Absol. "It's known as the disaster pokemon."

"Disaster pokemon?" Mikey questioned.

"Sounds really cool." Jock said. Then, he noticed Absol's megastone. "What the heck is with that necklace?" Mikey just noticed it himself and didn't really know himself. "Spill it. This isn't your pokemon, is it?"

"Uh... Of course it is." Mikey said.

"Oh yeah? Let's battle right now." Jock said.

"A battle?" Mikey said as he seemed nervous about it. "Uh... I can't. I've got to do something for my mom." He said and just ran off. Absol was a little concerned about the boy and decided to follow after him.

...

Ichigo's Group

"Absol! Absol, where are you?!" Ichigo called as he and the others were looking around for Absol. As they continued their search, Rukia spotted a city just up ahead.

"Ichigo, look." Rukia said as she pointed to it. "There's Bountful City."

That's great, but it's got to wait until I find Absol." Ichigo said.

"Gliscore!" They all looked to the sky and spotted Gliscore again.

"Gliscore! Down here!" Ichigo called. Gliscore looked down and spotted them. He flew down to be able to talk to them. "I take it you're looking for Absol too."

"Have you seen Absol anywhere?" Orihime asked.

"Gli! Gliscore!" Gliscore pointed towards something down the river. That might be where Absol is. Gliscore led the way with all of them following. What Gliscore saw was Mikey down the river with Absol.

"So, you're not a new species. You're called an Absol." Mikey said as he was trying to know Absol better. "What about your attacks? What attacks can you use? Solar Beam? Hydro Pump? Overheat?"

"Absol can use Razor Wind, Night Slash, Swords Dance, and Psycho Cut." Mikey looked behind him to see Ichigo and his friends. Absol was happy to see him again as he ran towards Ichigo. "Ichigo, I'm glad to see you're okay." Ichigo said as he petted Absol.

"I guess that means Absol is really your pokemon." Mikey said.

"Sure is. I was worried Absol might have been hurt or something, but it looks like Absol is just fine." Ichigo said. "Thanks for keeping an eye on him."

"Sure... Uh... Will you please let me battle with your Absol!" Mikey called, but none of them understood what he was asking since he wasn't old enough to be a trainer.

"Hold on. Tell us what's going on." Orihime said.

...

Jock and Albert

"Now use Tackle, Lillipup!" Jock said as he and Albert were having a battle.

"Dodge it, Fletchling!" Albert said. Lillipup went at Fletchling, but Fletchling flew up and avoided the attack.

"Hey! Who said you could dodge?!" Jock said.

"But if we hadn't dodged, we could have lost." Albert said.

"So what?" Jock said. "Where's Mikey by the way? I want to battle that Absol."

"He was probably lying before. I bet that Absol isn't really his." Albert said.

"Well, I'm still battling it. Now go ask your dad for more pokemon! I want strong ones!" Jock said.

"What?!" Albert said as he didn't like the sound of that at all.

"You heard me. This is going to be awesome." Jock said as he was ready to have a real battle.

...

Mikey

"You see, my friends and I can't wait to be trainers." Mikey explained as he was telling Ichigo and the others what's going on. "Our parents let us use their pokemon for practice battling, but Jock doesn't really play nice. It's like we have to let him win or he gets real mad. Now, he wants to battle me with Absol, but I've never really been in a battle before."

"That's why you were asking to battle with Absol." Orihime said.

"The truth is...I'm actually a little nervous to battle him because I'm not sure what to do most of the time." Mikey said. "I'm afraid Jock's going to win and be a sore winner about it."

"No one really likes that." Ichigo said. He felt sorry for the kid and could tell that Absol felt the same. "Okay. You can battle with Absol."

"Really?!" Mikey said.

"We'll even help you. The only way to put a stop to something like this is to stand up for yourself, show this Jock you're no afraid." Ichigo said.

"Wow, Ichigo. That's nice of you." Rukia said.

"Hold on. Are you saying I'm not usually nice?" Ichigo questioned as he was slightly offended.

"There you are!" They all looked up and spotted Jock.

"Hi, Jock." Mikey said.

"What's going on? Who are these guy?" Jock asked.

"We're friends of Mikey, and this Absol is actually my pokemon." Ichigo said. "Mikey was telling us what was going on. I hear you want to battle my Absol."

"Yeah, I do. What's going on, Mikey? Are we battling or not?" Jock said. Mikey was a little hesitant, but he took Ichigo's advice.

"Yeah." Mikey said.

...

Bountful City

They all moved this to a small space in the city. The three young boys were looking forward to having a battle.

"I talked to my dad. He said we can use these two." Albert said as he let out two pokemon. Those pokemon ended up being Hariyama and Hypno.

"A Hariyama and Hypno. Those are some tough looking pokemon." Chad said.

"Oh wow! That's what I call some tough pokemon!" Jock said. "Choosing between them is tough. I want to battle with both of them!"

"What?! You can't do that!" Albert said.

"Zip it! I can do whatever I like!" Jock said.

"But that isn't fair. I only have Absol to battle with. You can't do that." Mikey complained.

"Actually, we can if we have a tag battle." Ichigo said as he stepped forward. "If we have a tag battle, it's an even match. I'll battle with you, Mikey, and try to help you out." Mikey felt real grateful to Ichigo for helping him out. "Now, which pokemon should I use?"

"Gliscore!" Gliscore stepped forward as well as it was willing to battle with Absol.

"You want to battle Gliscore?" Ichigo said as he wasn't expecting that. "Well, okay."

"In that case, I'll be the referee." Rukia said. "Normally, we would go until one side is no longer able to battle, but I'll decide when this battle is over. You boys can start whenever you're ready."

"I'm ready to go now. Let's go! Hypno, Psybeam!" Jock said as he was getting this battle started.

"Hypno!" Hypno fired a beam from its eyes, but Absol stood in the way and was able to take the attack. Jock and Mikey were shocked to see Absol wasn't hurt.

"Jock, Absol is a dark-type. Psychic-type attacks have no effect." Albert said.

"Wow. I didn't know that." Mikey said.

"That goes to show you that type is an important thing to keep in mind during battle." Ichigo said. "Now it's our turn. Gliscore, Stone Edge on Hypno!" Gliscore slammed its claw against the ground with rocks shooting out until it hit Hypno. "That's how it's done."

"Hey! Not cool!" Jock said.

"We can still battle. Fighting-type attacks are really strong against dark-types." Albert said. "Hariyama, Arm Thrust on Absol!"

"Hariyama!" Hariyama went at Absol as it thrusted its arms forward.

"Look out, Absol!" Mikey said in a panic. Absol was able to jump away from each attack that was thrown at it. Mikey was starting to get a little worried.

"Mikey, you need to stay calm." Ichigo said. "If the trainer panics, the pokemon panics. Now give Absol a command!"

"Okay... Absol, Razor Wind!" Mikey said. Absol moved away from Hariyama and used the attack and was able to blast Hariyama with it. Mikey had to admit that it felt great to call an attack like that.

"Gliscore, Steel Wind on Hypno!" Ichigo said. Gliscore flew at Hypno and smashed its wings against Hypno. Jock was starting to get annoyed.

"Hypno, Psybeam!" Jock said. Hypno was able to blast Gliscore with the attack, but Gliscore was able to block the attack.

"Hey, Mikey. Another tip, dark-type attacks are really strong against psychic-types." Ichigo said.

"Really?! Absol, Night Slash on Hypno!" Mikey said. Absol went at Hypno and slashed against Hypno. Jock was really starting to get annoyed now.

"That does it. Hariyama, Drain Punch! Hypno, Fire Punch!" Jock said.

"Hold on. I was battling with Hariyama." Albert said.

"Be quiet!" Jock said as he didn't really care. Both pokemon went on with the attack as they charged at their opponents with their respective attacks.

"Gliscore, Screech!" Ichigo said. Gliscore used Screech and it was painful on the ears. It was so intense that it caused both opponents to stop in their tracks. "Mikey, now's your chance!"

"Right! Absol, Psycho Cut!" Mikey said. Absol used the attack and managed to hit both pokemon with it. Hypno and Hariyama took a lot of damage from that attack and looked exhausted.

"That's it! I'm calling it there!" Rukia said. "I'm declaring Mikey and Ichigo the winners of this battle." Mikey felt really proud of himself, but Jock wasn't happy.

"Hey! I didn't say you could win!" Jock said as he marched right over.

"But that isn't fair, Jock. I did win." Mikey said.

"So what?" Jock said as he was getting angry, but Ichigo grabbed his arm and stopped him from doing anything.

"Stop it. That's not how you should act. You won't get any stronger if you keep making your friends lose." Ichigo said, but Jock didn't seem to care.

"He's right!" Albert called. "I don't want to play with you anymore, Jock. You always make you win, and now my dad's pokemon are hurt because of you." That actually got Jock to settle down and feel guilt.

"Here." Rukia said as she gave Albert some pokemon food. "This has oran berries mixed in. Them eating this with some rest should make them feel better." Jock started feeling bad about the whole thing. He took the food and gave them to Hypno and Hariyama to make them feel better.

"Okay, I lost, but it was still a lot of fun!" Jock said with a change of attitude, and his friends certainly agreed with him.

"I'm sure you three will be great trainers one day." Ichigo said as they all felt happy for them, but it was ruined when Gliscore latched on to Absol and tried wrestling with him. "Gliscore, what are you doing?!" Gliscore tried defending it's actions with Ichigo understanding. "You want to finish things with Absol, don't you?"

"Finish?" Mikey questioned.

"The truth is that Gliscore isn't one of Ichigo's pokemon. It's wild and wants to battle Absol." Orihime said.

"You want to battle so badly, Gliscore, I'll give you one." Ichigo said. The two pokemon faced each other with them ready to finish their battle. Gliscore started the battle by using Stone Edge. "Not this time! Dodge it!" Absol moved to the side and avoided Gliscore's attack. Gliscore went at Absol again with it ready to use Knock Off. "Absol, Night Slash!" The two attacks clashed together. They canceled each other out and were both pushed back.

"Gliscore!" Gliscore used Screech again and tried distracting Absol with the awful sound.

"That's enough! Absol, Swords Dance! After that, Razor Wind!" Ichigo said. Absol powered itself up as the swords rotated around it. Once Absol gained some extra strength, he released Razor Wind through the Screech and blasted Gliscore. Gliscore was blown against a wall and was knocked out.

"Awesome! Absol won!" Mikey said as he and his friends loved the battle.

"Good battle, Gliscore." Ichigo said. Gliscore was a little sore it lost, but accepted it. It jumped on the wall and was ready to leave, but Ichigo felt bad that Gliscore would leave upset. "Gliscore, hold on. You don't really have to leave. I like your determination and willingness. How about you stick with us?"

"Gliscore?" Gliscore was shocked Ichigo was offering it, but loved the idea. "Gliscore!"

"Great." Ichigo said as he pulled out a pokeball and tossed it in the air. Gliscore flew to it and tapped against it. Gliscore went inside and didn't bother resisting with it being caught and officially belonging to Ichigo. Everyone was rather impressed with the capture. A new friend to come along for the ride and to help out.

After meeting a group of young trainers, Ichigo now has a new friend with Gliscore. With a gym battle coming up, perhaps Gliscore will be helpful in it. You don't want to miss out on what will come next. So stay tuned.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Okay, future trainers. The answer to the last question was...Rapidash. Rapidash can go to 150mph, but can be rather competitive in a race. Here's the next question. What pokemon has special eyes to see in the dark, but doesn't really move at night?