Ichigo made his way through the snow-covered land. He and Absol stood at the top of a cliff as they looked down at a city.
"There it is, Absol. Guys, we made it! Tsuguru City is just up ahead!" Ichigo said. The others joined him as they could see Tsuguru City as well.
Our heroes have arrived at Tsuguru City for Ichigo to have his seventh gym battle. It's a battle that Ichigo is looking forward to.
"We were told that the Tsuguru gym leader specializes with ice-types." Rukia said. "Are you ready for a battle like that, Ichigo?"
"No worries. Absol, we're winning our seventh badge." Ichigo said.
"Absol!"
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) Elite with Elegance
Ichigo and his friends headed straight for the gym for him to have his battle. When they got there, they saw a large crowd of people was already there.
"What the heck?" Ichigo said as he was confused as to why there were so many people around. "Are you sure this is the gym?"
"Yeah." Rukia said as she looked at the map of the city. "This is the gym, but it doesn't say anything about there being so many. Is the gym leader here really that good or something?" All of them were curious as to what was going on.
"Absol!" Absol spotted someone and they spotted familiar.
"Keigo!" Ichigo said. Keigo was in the crowd. When he heard his name, he turned to them and was excited to see all of them.
"Ichigo! Hey!" Keigo greeted as he was excited to see all of them. "I didn't think I would see you guys here."
"We didn't know you were here either." Orihime said. "Are you here for a gym battle like Ichigo?"
"I was. That was until I heard the awesome news!" Keigo said.
"What news?" Ichigo questioned.
"You mean you really don't know. It's Shirayuki's fashion show!" Keigo said, but none of them understood what he was talking about. "Here let me show you." He pulled out a device and showed an image of Shirayuki. She wore an all white kimono, even her hair was white. She was beautiful, pure, and as white as winter snow.
"I've heard of her!" Orihime said. "She's one of the best fashion icons in the entire Kalos region. She's beautiful."
"You're excited about a fashion show?" Ichigo said as he didn't see the big deal. "Please tell me you're not going to be starring at the models the whole time."
"No! Okay, that's partially the reason I'm here." Keigo said. "The main reason is because we all want to see Muramasa!" Muramasa? One of the Elite Four? Hearing that he might be here was a big surprise to all of them.
"Do you mean the same Muramasa? One of the Elite Four?" Chad asked.
"I sure do." Keigo said as he showed another image. It showed a man in a white robe with purple lining and lavender fur collar. He had brown hair with dark markings around his eyes. "He's making a special appearance here. Rumor is that the two of them are old friends. That's why there are so many people here. Some are fans of her work while others want to see Muramasa." This fashion show sounds more exciting than it is.
"This sounds like fun!" Orihime said. "Can we watch it? Pretty please!"
"Ichigo, Shirayuki might be busy and won't be able to have a gym battle today." Chad said. "Maybe we should find her to see how soon you can have a gym battle."
"Good idea." Ichigo said. "I might be able to battle her tomorrow." The four of them went on ahead and looked around to Shirayuki, but everyone was hustling for the upcoming show.
"Look at this place. How are we going to find anyone with it being this busy?" Rukia said. "She might not even have the time to see us."
"It's worth a shot at least. She's got to be around here somewhere." Ichigo said. They continued to look around for any sign of this Shirayuki. They kept looking until Rukia spotted something. She saw a Froslass carrying garments with her.
"Look. There's a Froslass." Rukia said as she pointed at it towards the others.
"Froslass."
"So?" Ichigo said.
"Froslass is an ice-type. Shirayuki's specialty is with ice-type pokemon." Rukia said. "I bet if we follow that Froslass, we might find her."
"Great idea." Orihime said. All of them followed after Froslass to see if they would actually find that Shirayuki. Froslass never suspected that she was being followed. Froslass kept moving until she entered a room. All of them carefully looked in the room and were amazed with what they saw. They saw a few girls working on clothing for Muramasa himself.
"I must admit that these clothes do feel rather nice." Muramasa said. "They're smooth, comfortable, and stylish. It's no wonder your designs are among some of the best in Kalos."
"You're too kind." All of them looked further inside and Shirayuki herself was in there as well. "I do appreciate you helping me out. You're famous among trainers. You being here is great for my show."
"I was glad to help. We have been friends for a long time." Muramasa said. "However, it seems like there are some people who can't wait." He turned to the entrance with him already well aware that Ichigo and his friends were here. They all felt busted with Shirayuki not pleased that they are here.
"What is the meaning of this?" Shirayuki said.
"We are so sorry for bothering you, Miss Shirayuki." Rukia said.
"We didn't mean to spy or anything." Orihime said.
"Are you here to see my designs, or an autograph from Muramasa?" Shirayuki said.
"No. Not exactly." Ichigo said. "We followed your Froslass in hopes of finding you personally."
"Me? You followed my Froslass?" Shirayuki said.
"Froslass..." Froslass felt a little foolish for allowing herself to be followed.
"Please accept my apologies, Froslass." Rukia said as she walked over to it and ran her hand over Froslass' head. "I must say that I love your Froslass. I always wanted on myself. Froslass are among my favorite pokemon, and yours is simply beautiful."
"Thank you." Shirayuki said as she was starting to warm up to them. "May I ask for your names?"
"I'm Ichigo, and this is Absol."
"Absol."
"I'm Orihime."
"Everyone calls me Chad."
"And I'm Rukia."
"Shirayuki, you would be interested to know that Rukia loves ice-types. She's an ice-type trainer just like you." Ichigo said.
"Do you?" Shirayuki said as she was interested by that fact indeed.
"Yes. I believe they're beautiful pokemon." Rukia said.
"I feel the same." Shirayuki said. "They're all amazing and beautiful pokemon. They're great inspiration for my designs."
"All pokemon are unique and beautiful in their own way." Muramasa said. "As trainers, it's our responsibility to see that. We don't even need to capture pokemon to see that. Pokemon are truly amazing and can be a great inspiration to many." All of them felt the same way. Pokemon are something amazing.
"Now, what does bring all of you here?" Shirayuki said. "You said you came here because you wanted to meet me."
"Right." Ichigo said. "Shirayuki, I know you're probably busy with this fashion show of yours, but the reason we came to Tsuguru City is because I wanted to challenge your gym for my seventh badge. I understand if you can't battle me today, but I want you to battle me as soon as you can. What do you say? Will you please battle me soon? I need to know if you can." Ichigo was hoping she would answer. They all waited in anticipation for a response. Her silence wasn't helping either.
"Okay. As a gym leader, it's my responsibility to accept any an all challenges." Shirayuki said. That sounded like a good start. "You are right. I am rather busy with my fashion show today, but I will take your challenge. In fact, I'll make a deal with you. If you do something for me, you'll be the first one I'll battle tomorrow."
"Sure. It's a deal. What do you want me to do?" Ichigo asked as he thought it sounded simple enough. The offer was actually better than it sounded.
...
The Fashion Show
Many people gathered for the show, or to see Muramasa in person. Keigo was in the crowd as well. He was excited to see one of the elite and to see some pretty girls. All of them were getting excited when they saw Shirayuki step forward with a shower of glitter falling, giving the appearance of show.
"Welcome, and thank you for coming." Shirayuki said. "I am glad you are all here to join me. I give you the beauty of my fashion that inspired me from pokemon and nature. Behold." Her show began with models walking out and showing off Shirayuki's knew designs. They were all wearing elegant kimonos, dresses, and clothes. All of them looked great.
"Woo! Looking good!" Keigo called out.
"Now, I present you a young trainer who is hoping to battle me. This is Ichigo Kurosaki." Shirayuki said.
"Ichigo?!" Keigo said. He was shocked to see Ichigo walking out there with his Abosl. Ichigo was wearing a white kimono for men with snowflakes on the sleeves and one big one on the back.
"As you can see, Ichigo is wearing a winter-themed kimono that goes well with his Absol's fur coat." Shirayuki said.
"This isn't as bad as I thought." Ichigo said as he was actually enjoying it. His friends enjoyed it too with them watchign in the back.
"Now, I present you the moment you've all been waiting for." Shirayuki said as they were all getting excited. "I present Muramasa." Muramasa stepped out on the stage with everyone thrilled about it. he walked out with him wearing silk teal garments with an exquisite gold headpiece. He looked much like a Japanese emperor.
"Oh man! This is so cool!" Keigo said. The spotlight shined down on Muramasa as he walked on the stage.
"Now, the time has come." Shirayuki said. "As a special treat, Ichigo and Muramasa has agreed to have a battle." That was certainly a surprise. Seeing one of the Elite Four in action would make a great show.
"How often do you get a chance to actually battle one of the Elite Four?" Ichigo said as the two of them faced each other.
"Muramasa's specialty is with psychic-type pokemon." Chad said. "That means Absol would have the advantage."
"Maybe, but I'm sure Muramasa has something for that." Rukia said.
"Well, Ichigo. Let's see what kind of trainer you really are." Muramasa said as he pulled out his pokeball. "Meet my partner. Arise, Reuniclus!"
"Reuniclus!"
"That's an usual looking pokemon." Orihime said.
"Reuniclus... It's a psychic-type, but I'm sure he expects me to use Absol." Ichigo said as he was trying to think this over. "Let's try something he wouldn't expect." He said as he pulled out a different pokemon. "Scraggy, I choose you!"
"Scraggy!"
"Why's he using Scraggy?! Aren't fighting-types weak against psychic-types?!" Orihime said.
"True, but Scraggy is a dark-type too." Rukia said.
"You're using a Scraggy? Interesting choice." Muramasa said.
"It will be good for Scraggy to get a little battle practice in for my upcoming gym battle." Ichigo said.
"I see. I'm just the warm-up." Muramasa said. "Well, let's see what your Scraggy can do. The first attack is yours."
"Let's show them what you can do. Scraggy, Headbutt!" Ichigo said. Scraggy started the battle as it charged right at Reuniclus. Scraggy jumped right at Reuniclus, but it just floated up and avoided Scraggy's attack.
"Energy Ball!" Muramasa said. Reuniclus formed a ball out of green energy and threw it Scraggy. Scraggy got hit pretty hard by the attack and was knocked down.
"Hang in there, Scraggy!" Ichigo encouraged with Scraggy able to get back up.
"Reuniclus, Gyro Ball!" Muramasa said. Reuniclus held out its arms and started spinning around with light gathering around it. Reuniclus went at Scraggy and Scraggy was launched in the air by that attack. It wasn't looking good for Ichigo. "Is the battle already over?"
"No way! Scraggy!" Ichigo called. Scraggy was able to pull itself together and was able to keep the battle going. "Rotate like a wheel and use Headbutt!" Scraggy started spinning like a wheel as fast as it could. Muramasa and Reuniclus wasn't expecting that. Scraggy came down and smashed its head against Reuniclus and seemed to have done some real damage with Reuniclus smashing against the stage. "Now use Focus Blast!"
"Scraggy!" Scraggy focused the attack and threw it with Reuniclus getting hit.
"Not bad. You certainly have determination, but that alone doesn't win a battle." Muramasa said as Reuniclus was able to shake off the damage. "Now use Thunder!" Reuniclus generated a powerful blast of electricity with Scraggy getting hit. "Finish it with Energy Ball!" Reuniclus formed the orb and tossed it. Scraggy got blasted by the attack and was knocked out of the battle.
"Scraggy!" Ichigo called as he rushed to Scraggy's aid. Even though he lost, Ichigo put up a good effort and people still cheered for him.
"It was a good attempt." Muramasa said. "You are quite the battler, Ichigo."
"You are indeed. I'm looking forward to our gym battle." Shirayuki said.
"Thank you. I'm glad I'm getting the chance." Ichigo said. "Just know that even though I lost here, I won't lose in our gym battle."
"We'll see about that." Shirayuki said.
"Whoa! Ichigo is really going to take on Shirayuki? I've got to see that!" Keigo said as he was getting excited.
A fashion show turned into Ichigo becoming part of the show, as well as battling one of the Elite Four. Now, he'll be getting himself ready for the upcoming gym battle. Will he be able to win his seventh badge against this icy fashion icon? We'll soon find out.
To Be Continued...
Pokemon Question: Okay, all you trainers. The answer to the last question was...Vanillish. Vanillish has been around since the Ice Ages and is a favorite in hot regions. Here's the next question. What pokemon actually has two brains, one in the head and another in the tail?
