Ichigo's first challenge in the Champion League began with Kariya really pushing Ichigo. It looked like it would be a difficult battle, but Ichigo was able to pull through. He won in the end and passed his first challenge, but there are still three battles he must win before he can take on Kisuke. Perhaps he can do it.

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

(Ichigo's voice): The Heat of Battle

Ichigo may have defeated Kariya, but there are still three members of the Elite Four left to beat. Luckily, he's allowed to take breaks between battles. That gives him time to get his pokemon ready for his next battle. Right now, he was actually training with Haxorus.

"Rock Smash!" Ichigo said. Haxorus used the attack and smashed right through the tree. "Good. Keep that power up."

"Does this mean you're using Haxorus in your next battle?" Rukia asked as she and the others were watching them train.

"That's right. Haxorus is one of my stronger pokemon. He'll be a help." Ichigo said.

"Which of the Elite Four is Ichigo going up against next?" Orihime asked.

"Shusuke, the one that uses fire-types." Chad said.

"I'm actually looking forward to this battle." Rukia said. "Remember when we met Shusuke? He reunited with his first pokemon, Magmorter, when he met us. Who knows if that would have happened if we hadn't met him."

"You might be right. Now, I'm getting excited for this battle." Orihime said.

"Either way, since I know Shusuke uses fire-types, Palpitoad and Frillish are in." Ichigo said. "Gyarados needs time to rest after that battle with Kariya, but good thing I got Haxorus here to step in."

"What about your fourth pokemon?" Chad said.

"I think I'll go with Gliscore since Gliscore knows a couple moves that would work against fire-types." Ichigo said. "Now, back to training, Haxorus."

"Haxorus!" They were getting ready to get back to training until a blast of fire came out of nowhere and nearly hit all of them.

"What the heck?! What kind of crazy person shoots fire around like that?!" Ichigo said.

"It came from just straight ahead." Rukia said. Deciding to investigate where that fire came from, all of them went to see where it came from.

"Keep it up, Magmortar. Ichigo is a tough opponent. We're going to need to be at the top of our game for this. We can't go easy on him." They all saw that it was Shusuke training with his pokemon.

"Shusuke!" Ichigo called and got his attention.

"Ichigo. Good to see you." Shusuke said as they all greeted each other. "I take it you are out here for the same reason I am. Training for our upcoming battle?"

"That's right." Ichigo said as he patted Haxorus. "The big guy here is ready to rumble."

"Wow. That's quite the Haxorus you got there." Shusuke said as he was impressed with Haxorus. "I can tell just by looking at it that this is one tough pokemon."

"Haxorus..." Haxorus took a look at Magmortar. Something was going on between the two pokemon as they began to glare at each other. The two of them seem to be letting the competition get to them as they were trying to get in each other's face.

"Haxorus?! What are you doing?!" Ichigo said.

"Magmortar, settle down!" Shusuke said as the two of them tried to break them apart.

"What's with those two?" Orihime questioned.

"I guess the heat of the competition is getting to both pokemon." Rukia said.

"Easy, Magmortar." Shusuke said as he tried keeping Magmortar calm. "Seems like our two pokemon has taken a competitive interest in each other. If you're planning to use Haxorus in our battle, a match between these two would surely be a heated one."

"I guess so." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo, I do owe you my thanks." Shusuke said. "If I hadn't met you and your friends, I might not have reunited with Magmortar here. However, I won't be going easy on you in our battle because of that."

"Why does everyone think I need some sort of handicap?" Ichigo said. "I want you to come at me with everything you've got."

"Everything I got, huh? Well, if I'm doing that, you and your pokemon are going to end up getting burned." Shusuke said. The heat of battle is already turning up before the battle actually begins.

...

Later

"Welcome back! It is now the second battle of the Champion League. Our challenger, Ichigo Kurosaki, is attempting to win his second battle against the Elite Four. The next member he is facing is the fiery warrior of Kalos, Shusuke Amagai!" Shusuke and Ichigo walked out on the battlefield and were both ready for this battle.

"Good luck, Ichigo!" Orihime cheered.

"Remember to watch out for those fire attacks!" Rukia called.

"Okay, Ichigo. I hope you're ready. I'm not Kariya. Defeating me won't be as easy." Shusuke said.

"If you're trying to scare me off, forget it. I'm ready for you." Ichigo said.

"Let's find out how ready you are." Shusuke said. "Here's my first pokemon. Magcargo, burn!"

"Magcargo!"

"Shusuke has already called on his first pokemon. It's Magcargo. What about Ichigo?"

"Magcargo is a fire-type, but it's also a rock-type. Water-type attacks would deal massive damage. Ground-type attacks would be the same." Ichigo said as he analyzed the situation. "In that case, I know who I'm using. Palpitoad, I choose you!"

"Palpitoad!"

"Palpitoad is Ichigo's first choice!"

"Nice. A couple good hits from Palpitoad and Magcargo would be done for." Rukia said.

"I'm ready to get this started. Let's go!" Ichigo said as he was making the first move. "Palpitoad, Mud Shot!" Palpitoad launched mud right at Magcargo.

"Magcargo, Light Screen!" Shusuke said. Magcargo formed a barrier of light around itself and was able to block out the attack.

"Light Screen activates and seems to weaken that Mud Shot."

"You seem to overlook something, Ichigo." Shusuke said. "A common mistake among trainers. We are more than capable of dealing with pokemon that have the type advantage. Now with Light Screen, your attacks won't do as much damage."

"Maybe, but some damage is being dealt." Ichigo said.

"True, but it won't do much good if you can't hit Magcargo." Shusuke said. "Magcargo, Shell Smash!" Magcargo build energy around its shell with it smashing off.

"Palpitoad, take Magcargo out now! Hydro Pump!" Ichigo said. Palpitoad unleashed the attack, but Magcargo surprised them by moving really fast and avoiding the attack. "No way!"

"How did Magcargo move that fast?!" Orihime said.

"That's the effects of Shell Smash. It greatly increases the attack power and speed of a pokemon. Even so, I can't believe how fast that Magcargo can move." Rukia said. "However, it does weaken a pokemon's defense."

"So, if Palpitoad can land a hit, it will take massive damage." Chad said.

"But that must be why he had Magcargo use Light Screen. The effects of Light Screen will block out some damage and will go on for a while even if Magcargo is taken out of this battle." Rukia said.

"Now use Heat Wave!" Shusuke said. Magcargo appeared right in front of Palpitoad. It blasted an intense gust of heat right at Palpitoad with Palpitoad being pushed back.

"Try Mud Shot again!" Ichigo said. Palpitoad attacked, but Magcargo kept dodging the attacks.

"Now use Earth Power!" Shusuke said. Magcargo smashed itself against the ground and caused power to erupt through the ground with Palpitoad taking damage.

"Earth Power tears open the ground with Palpitoad taking damage!"

"This is bad. Magcargo's defenses are weakened, but how can we land a hit?" Ichigo said. He tried to think of what he could do until it came to him. "Palpitoad, Muddy Water! Spread it through the whole field!" Palpitoad unleashed a wave of mud that spread through the whole field.

"Not good!" Shusuke said as he could tell this was big trouble for Magcargo. Magcargo's Light Screen tried to hold against the wave, but it was too much and Magcargo ended up getting washed away and was knocked out of the battle.

"Magcargo is unable to battle! Palpitoad is the winner!" The referee said.

"There was no protecting Magcargo from that. Can't dodge if there's really nowhere to run. Shusuke is now down by one pokemon."

"Magcargo, return. You did fine." Shusuke said as he had Magcargo come back. "Not bad, Ichigo. You're getting creative. You'll have to be creative against this pokemon. Talonflame, burn!" He released his next pokemon as it took to the sky.

"Talonflame!"

"Shusuke's next pokemon is Talonflame. Not only is it a fire-type, but it's a flying-type as well."

"That means our ground-type moves aren't going to do any damage against this guy." Ichigo said.

"I think we'll start things off this time. Talonflame, let's use Flame Charge!" Shusuke said. Talonflame coated itself in fire and flew right at Talonflame. Talonflame smashed against Palpitoad, but Palpitoad was able to take the attack. "Flame Charge again!" Talonflame came at Palpitoad, but was going in at a much faster speed. Palpitoad got hit again, but was able to endure the attack. "Might not be much, but fire attacks can still do some damage."

"Flame Charge might not deal much damage against Palpitoad, but it does increase Talonflame's speed."

"That's right. Flame Charge increases Talonflame's speed." Rukia said. "If Ichigo doesn't do something, Talonflame is only going to get faster and faster."

"Let's try this! They can't move faster than sound! Palpitoad, blast Talonflame with Hyper Voice!" Ichigo said.

"You think we're going to back down? Think again!" Shusuke said. "Talonflame, push through that Hyper Voice with Sky Attack!" Palpitoad unleashed a powerful sonic attack, but Talonflame dived right into it in gold energy. Talonflame was able to push right through the attack. Talonflame kept going and pushed through until it smashed right into Palpitoad. Talonflame flew away and showed that Palpitoad was knocked out of the battle now.

"Palpitoad is unable to battle! Talonflame is the winner!" The referee said.

"It's all tied up now. Both trainers have lost one pokemon." Ichigo had Palpitoad brought back to its pokeball.

"You've done well, Ichigo." Shusuke said. "I'm interested to see what else you can do. Now, which of your pokemon will be going down next?"

"None of them. I'm the one who will be walking away as the winner. Just you wait and see!" Ichigo said as he threw out his next choice.

Ichigo's second battle in the Champion League has begun. It's shaping to be a battle that is as hot and fierce as fire. How does Ichigo plan to win this one? Stay tune to find out.

To Be Continued...

Pokemon Question: Okay, trainers. The answer to the last question was...Raichu. Raichu uses it's long to gather electricity from the atmosphere and protects itself from high-voltage. Here's the next question. What grass-type has leaves that can slice through slick trees and is without peer in jungle combat?