The time for the finals in the Ultimate Talent Star is here. Orihime battles against Riruka. Nervous at first, but Orihime has pulled herself together. However, she still has a tough battle ahead of her. With the finals now here, Orihime has to give it her all if she wants to win.

Each and next chapter, the ultimate goal

Ready for battle, brave and bold

I know we're gonna make it

We will find a way

Oh-oh

We've come so far

We fought so hard to get where we are

Oh-oh

We belong together

It's always you and me

Pokemon

(Orihime's voice): Achieving Dreams

Orihime and Riruka's battle may have just begun, but Orihime is already in a tough situation. Meowstic and Sylveon against Arcanine and Bewear. Both pokemon were tough ones, but Orihime wasn't going to back down.

"Don't back down! Meowstic, Scratch!" Orihime said. Meowstic went on the attack for the scratch.

"You'll have to do better than that." Riruka said. "Bewear, Iron Head!" Bewear was surrounded in a white aura and smashed herself against Meowstic and easily countered the attack.

"Sylveon, try Fairy Wind again!" Orihime said. Sylveon tried the attack again. It blasted against Bewear, but Bewear was able to endure the attack.

"Arcanine, help out! Flare Blitz!" Riruka said. Arcanine coated itself in blue fire. Arcanine charged at Sylveon and smashed itself against Sylveon with some massive damage being done. Arcanine sustained some damage itself after using that attack.

"Riruka is hammering Orihime with powerful attacks!" Baron said. "Orihime's pokemon might be smaller, but we'll see if she can still make a comeback!"

"Orihime is in a real tough spot. Both of Riruka's pokemon are highly leveled. They know some powerful attacks." Rukia said.

"She still has a chance." Ichigo said. "She's got to do something about those powerful attacks. There's just got to be a way for her to win."

"Your pokemon might be powerful, but I doubt Arcanine can resist this!" Orihime said. "Sylveon, Attract!" Sylveon winked and sent hearts towards Arcanine. Arcanine got hit by the hearts and was filled with feelings of admiration towards Sylveon. "Yes! It worked!"

"Do you think that will stop me?" Riruka said. "Bewear, Close Combat on Arcanine!" Everyone didn't expect her to give an order like that. Bewear didn't hesitate. She attacked Arcanine with Close Combat.

"What are you doing?!" Orihime said.

"You'll see." Riruka said. Bewear gave Arcanine a powerful hit on the head and it caused Arcanine to snap back to his senses.

"Look at that! Riruka had Bewear attack its partner to break the effects of Attract!" Baron said. "I hate to say this for Orihime's sake, but Riruka seems to have complete control of this battle!"

"Keep up the pressure! Arcanine, Fire Blast!" Riruka said. Arcanine attacked by unleashing that powerful blast of fire.

"Dodge it! Hurry!" Orihime said. Both of them jumped to the side, but they were barely able to dodge the attack. "Attack while Arcanine is weakened! Meowstic, Charge Beam!" Meowstic charged its electric power and unleashed it with Arcanine getting blasted. "Your turn, Sylveon! Attack with Quick Attack!" Sylveon moved quickly and tried attacking Arcanine directly.

"Bewear, Hammer Arm!" Riruka said. Bewear got in the way of the attack and knocked Sylveon back. "Arcanine, Extreme Speed!" Arcanine moved with incredible speed and smashed himself against Meowstic. Both of them have taken a lot of damage, but they were still eligible to battle.

"Both of Orihime's pokemon have been hit hard, but they keep going." Baron said. "Just how much longer can this battle go on?"

'I can't let it end here.' Orihime thought as she was holding on the will to keep battling. 'I've come so far since my journeys begun. I've faced many powerful opponents like Rangiku, Nel, and now Riruka. After everything I've been through, I won't let it end here! Not like this!' Sylveon and Meowstic could sense what Orihime was feeling as they too felt the same.

"You've put on a good battle, but I think it's time I ended this." Riruka said. "Arcanine, finish this off with Crunch!" Arcanine jumped in the air and was getting ready to attack and finish this battle.

"We won't lose after coming so far!" Orihime said. "Sylveon, tie up Arcanine's mouth with your ribbons!" Sylveon stretched out her ribbons and got them tied around Arcanine's mouth and stopped the attack.

"Look at that! Sylveon used its ribbons to stop Arcanine!" Baron said. Arcanine dropped to the ground and tried to get free.

"You might have stopped Arcanine, but you can't stop Bewear!" Riruka said. "Bewear, Iron Head!" Bewear tried attacking again, but Orihime wasn't going to let that happen.

"Meowstic, Psyshock!" Orihime said. Meowstic attacked with a psychic blast. It blasted Bewear and was able to stop the attack. "Now attack with Fairy Wind, Sylveon!" Sylveon untangled the ribbons from Arcanine and blasted Arcanine at point-blank range with the attack and blew Arcanine into Bewear.

"Orihime is making a real comeback! It's still anyone's battle!" Baron said.

"I better end this while I still can. Time to go big." Riruka said. "Bewear, give Arcanine a boost with Strength! Arcanine, Flare Blitz!"

"We can combine attacks too! Sylveon, Dazzling Gleam! Meowstic, Charge Beam!" Orihime said. Arcanine encased itself in blazing blue fire. Bewear added some extra power as Bewear smashed her paw against Arcanine and gave the attack a boost of speed. Orihime met that attack as Sylveon encased herself in a dazzling light and charged at Arcanine. Meowstic helped out by firing Charge Beam right behind Sylveon and gave Sylveon a boost as well. The two of them collided and tried to push the other back.

"It's a powerful collision of attacks! Which one will win in this collision!" Baron said as everyone was on the edge of their seats to see who will win this battle. This collision of power kept going as neither side was giving an inch.

"Don't back down!" Orihime said. After coming so far, Orihime isn't going to back down. The two attacks combined with Sylveon now encased in an electrical shining light. Sylveon was able to push through the attack and was pushing Arcanine back.

"It can't be!" Riruka said in shock; just like everyone else was in shock. Sylveon pushed Arcanine into Bewear and caused a massive explosion to go off. Sylveon was able to jump away, but what happened to Riruka's pokemon. All of them waited for the dust to clear. When it did, Baron could see what happened.

"Arcanine and Bewear are unable to battle! That means that Orihime is the victor! She wins the Ultimate Talent Star!" Baron announced. It was like time slowed down. Did she hear that right? Did she really win? She knew it was all true when she could hear people cheering for her and saw Riruka's pokemon really were unable to battle. The moment she's been waiting for since the start of her journey has finally came.

"Sylveon!" Sylveon ran right into Orihime's arms with Meowstic keeping his cool and happy about the whole thing.

"Snap out of it, dummy!" Riruka called. "You won! Smile! Be happy!"

"I won... I really won!" Orihime cheered with tears of joy as she hugged both of her pokemon. It was literally her dream come true. Everyone, all her friends, and much more were so happy for her. The cheers and applause just wouldn't stop. Now that Orihime has been made the winner, she was being rewarded the trophy. It wasn't just her victory either. All her pokemon stood with her as she accepted the trophy

"Congratulations to Orihime for winning Ultimate Talent Star! She is now the Ultimate Show-woman!" Baron said as the cheers just kept coming. "Is there anything you would like to say?"

"I... I don't know what to say." Orihime said. "I knew I never would have made it without my pokemon. This is everything I've worked for since I began competing. It's...unbelievable. Of course, it's not just my win." She turned to her pokemon to let all know that it was their win too.

"With that, our glorious competition comes to a close, but we all do hope you join us in tonight's celebration!" Baron announced. Everyone loved what happened at this competition. Nicholas was most pleased himself with what Orihime has done, and she's accepting the victory with dignity.

...

Later

A big party was thrown for Orihime being declared the winner. Everyone was having a great time with splendid food, music, and much more. Orihime felt a little embarrassed with the party being just for her. Everyone was congratulating her and more. She really didn't know what to think of all this.

"Excuse me, Orihime." Orihime turned around and was met with Nicholas.

"Oh! It's you again! Hello." Orihime said.

"I must admit that I was most impressed with your battle and that you were made the winner. You truly earned it." Nicholas said. "If you don't mind, could we talk in private for a moment?"

"I suppose so." Orihime said. She followed him outside to a balcony for them to talk.

"Orihime, I must admit that I've been keeping track of your performances here in Kalos." Nicholas said. "Something about you caught my interest. That's why I looked into your past and I'm most pleased with what I've found. Not only do you and your pokemon do well, but you handle yourself very well when faced with victory or defeat."

"Thank you, but what is this about?" Orihime asked.

"Now that you won, what's next for you?" Nicholas asked.

"What's next?" Orihime said. She didn't really know about that.

"Orihime, I've been meaning to take on a protégé. I'm most pleased with what I've seen in you, and so I want that person to be you." Nicholas said.

"Me?! You mean you want me to become your student?!" Orihime said.

"I could take you to another level." Nicholas said. "I'm not expecting an immediate answer, but I do have to leave in the morning. I'm hoping to hear from you by then." Nicholas left it at that as he went back inside to enjoy the party. Leaving Orihime to wonder what she's going to do. If she takes the offer, she would have to say goodbye to Ichigo and the rest of her friends.

"There you are!" Ichigo said as he and the rest of her friends came out.

"What are you doing out here?" Rukia asked.

"Uh... Nothing." Orihime said.

"Come back inside and join the party." Chad said.

"Yeah. This is for you after all. You should feel proud of yourself." Rukia said. "After this, we're heading for the Kalos League for Ichigo."

"Hey... This is about Orihime, not me." Ichigo said. "Now that I saw you win and made your goal, you can bet I'm winning. Seeing you get that big win has me inspired and motivated to win."

"I inspired and motivated you?" Orihime said as she found that so strange.

"But, I say again, this is about you." Ichigo said as they ushered her back in. Ichigo's words already gave her answer.

...

The Next Morning

Nicholas waited for Orihime to show up, but it looked like she was going to make it. He had to leave soon and she wasn't showing. He waited at the dock, but there was no sign of her.

"Sir!" Orihime called as she arrived.

"There you are." Nicholas said. "Are you coming?"

"I'm very sorry, but I can't go with you yet, at least not yet." Orihime said. Not the answer he was expecting. "You see, I have to go with my friends to the Kalos League. An important friend is going to compete and I want to be there when he does and wins it. He's always been there for me and I want to be there for him. If it weren't for him, I never would have made this journey. I never would have come here. I have to be there for him." Nicholas was hoping she come with him, but he can see her reasoning.

"I understand." Nicholas said. "Continue on your own journey, but you are something special, Orihime. I'll be waiting to hear from you when the Kalos League is over. It will give you time to think about my offer. For now, go with your friends." Nicholas respected her choice and as he got on his boat and it set sail. As great as an offer as it was for her, Orihime has somewhere else to be.

"Orihime?" She turned around to see her friend there. "What are you doing down here already?" Ichigo asked.

"Is everything okay?" Rukia asked.

"Yeah... Everything is fine. Ichigo, are you ready to win the Kalos League?" Orihime asked.

"Do you have to ask? We're ready." Ichigo said.

"Absol!"

Orihime has finally reached her goal of winning the Ultimate Talent Star. Hoping to follow her example, Ichigo is aiming to win the Kalos League. There's still fun and excitement to come...as the journey continues.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Hello, all you trainers. The answer to the last question is...Venonat! Venonat's eyes are actually a cluster of eyes. Here's the next question. What psychic-type can generate flames of over five-thousand degrees?