AN: I know a couple people have already left a review and I usually don't ask for more than a few, but this is going to be a really long story and it would be a little more reassuring if we could get a few more every now and then if you be so kind.

Our heroes have finally arrived in Suzumu City. Ichigo elieved he was ready to face his first gym against Sui-Feng. However, he was defeated and Sui-Feng calls him a failure as a trainer. With his first gym battle ending in a defeat, what will he do now?

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

Pokemon

Gotta catch'em all, it's you and me

Pokemon

I know it's my destiny

Pokemon

Yeah, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokemon

Gotta catch'em all

Gotta catch'em all

Gotta catch'em all

Pokemon

(Ichigo's voice) Heart and Absol

When Zubat and Absol were back in fighting form, Ichigo took them up to the mountains to do some training. Since they lost to Sui-Feng, all three of them want to be sure that they win the next time.

"Absol use Night Slash and Zubat use Wing Attack." Ichigo said as the two of them spared against each other. Absol and Zubat charged at each other and countered each other.

"Are you sure you're training the right way?" Rukia said as she and the others hanged back and watch.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.

"This is about where Sui-Feng had you right where she wanted you." Rukia said. "She said that you can't just attack recklessly."

"I get that, but I don't know what else to do." Ichigo said. "I still don't know what she was trying to tell me. I thought I was bringing out the best of my pokemon."

"Maybe she was trying to mess with your head and you would lose." Chad said.

"No. Gym leaders wouldn't do that….even if she did sound a little rude." Rukia said. "Gym leaders are suppose to bring out the full potential of a trainer and their pokemon. They don't rig the match or anything so they win."

"How do you know, Rukia?" Orihime asked, but Rukia seemed to have gotten a little nervous.

"I just do." Rukia said.

"Rukia is right, but that doesn't help me." Ichigo said as he walked over to them and had a seat against a rock. "I need to figure out how to deal with the speed of that Yanma and Ninjask. I need to get stronger as well."

"Of course, form what I can understand, Absol is at a disadvantage against bug-types with it being a dark-type." Orihime said as she pointed out another problem. "I know! Maybe if you have Absol mega evolve, you'll win for sure!

"Boy, you really want to see Absol mega evolve." Ichigo groaned. "That wouldn't change much since Absol would still have the type disadvantage. Besides, I believe in Absol with every ounce of my being. I don't care what type we would be up against."

"But don't you want to win? What if mega evolution is your only hope?" Orihime asked.

"Even if it is, I'm not going to use it against an opponent who can't mega evolve." Ichigo said. "It wouldn't be right to have a battle with such a huge power-up like that and I made a promise that I would battle with honor and fairness."

"A promise? To who?" Chad asked.

"You never told us. How did you get Absol if he's your first pokemon?" Orihime said.

"Absol was a gift….by my mother." Ichigo said.

"You're mother?" Rukia questioned. Ichigo and Absol both gave a downcast look.

"It happened a long time ago. It was before I was a trainer." Ichigo said.

…

Flashback

'My home is called Karakura Town and my family owned a clinic.' Ichigo narrated. 'I lived there with my parents and my two younger sisters who are twins. I was nine when I got Absol and it was my birthday.'

"Happy birthday, Ichigo!" His family cheered as Ichigo blew out the candles.

"Ichigo, your present is here." His Mom called out.

"Yay!" Ichigo said as he went to see what it was. At the front door was his mother, Masaki, a beautiful young woman. Standing next to her was Absol with a red bow around his neck.

"Ichigo, I like you to meet Absol. He's all yours now." Masaki said.

"Absol."

"Awesome!" Ichigo cheered as he ran over and hugged his new Absol.

"I knew you would like him." Masaki said. "When you're old enough to be a trainer, I figured you would like an amazing pokemon as your partner."

"I love it!" Ichigo said. His entire family came into the room and met Absol and Absol was treated like a new member of the family.

End of Flashback

….

"That was how I got Absol. I was never happier than I was on that day." Ichigo said. "Back then, I was always smiling whenever I was around my Mom. She did so much for me and what she did back then had to have been the best thing she ever did for me."

"That sounds really nice." Orihime said.

"I was still learning about pokemon and didn't know much about being a trainer back then." Ichigo said. "I still made that promise to her that when I do become a trainer, I would be an honorable and fair one. I have to honor that promise I made."

"Ichigo, did something else happen?" Chad asked.

"Chad's right. If you met Absol that long ago, you would be a lot stronger than you are right now and would have tons of more pokemon by your side." Rukia said.

"I know." Ichigo said. "Before I got to become a trainer….she passed away." That information was a surprise to all of them and Absol still found that hard to believe. "I'm in the same boat as you, Orihime with what happened to your brother. She got really sick one day and she didn't make it. I couldn't go on a journey knowing what happened to her. My family wasn't quite the same after that."

"Ichigo, we're so sorry." Orihime said.

"It's okay. When she passed away, I stayed home for a few years to help look after my younger sisters and my Dad." Ichigo said.

"So what made you change and come on a journey?" Rukia asked.

"It was what my Dad told me." Ichigo said.

…

Flashback

Ichigo was about twelve years old. He went down by the river and Absol sat next to him. He hasn't been the same since his mother passed away.

"Ichigo." Ichigo and Absol turned their heads to see a man with black hair walking up to them. That is his father, Isshin.

"Dad!" Ichigo said.

"Listen, Ichigo." Isshin said as he sat next to his son. "I think it's time you headed out and went on a journey."

"What do you mean? I'm happy here." Ichigo said.

"I know, but I know you would be even happier on a journey." Isshin said. "I know you've been upset with your mother's passing and want to be there for your sisters, but I'm still here. Your mother gave you Absol for the purpose of you traveling and becoming a trainer. She knew you wanted to take part in the Unova League and that can still happen."

"You really think I should?" Ichigo asked.

"I do." Isshin said. "Do it for your mother. Do it for Absol." Ichigo looked over to Absol and stared in his eyes and was able to see that this is what Absol wanted. "I have something for you." Ishhin pulled out a small box and handed it to Ichigo.

"What is it?" Ichigo said.

"One's for you and the other is for Absol." Isshin said. "It's something that takes the bond you have and turn it into power. Absol was a gift from your mother so think of her when you use it. Project the feelings you had for your mother through them." Ichigo opened up the box and inside was his Mega Ring and keystone with Absolite.

End of Flashback

…

Remembering those hard times was tough on Ichigo and Absol. His friends felt regret for making him remember all that.

"I spent the past couple years training Absol to make up for the time I lost and we mastered mega evolution." Ichigo said. "That's why I want to compete and win in the Pokemon League. I want to honor my mother and win for her."

"We can see why that's important to you." Chad said.

"So Absol is your last link to her." Rukia said.

"Yeah." Ichigo said. Absol walked over to Ichigo and Ichigo petted him on the side of his head. "Absol means everything to me. That's why I want to win and travel with him." Ichigo said. "We're partners." All of them could clearly see the strong bond between the two. Zubat went over and landed on Ichigo's shoulder and was wondering about itself. Ichigo rubbed his finger under Zubat's chin. "Don't worry, Zubat. You're a part of this too. Now back to training."

"Absol!"

"Zuba!" Both of them went back to sparing against each other. Absol used Swords Dance and Zubat used Air Cutter. Absol tried to endure the attack and Ichigo noticed something as the two moves collided against each other.

"What's this?" Ichigo said as he walked over and checked the mark the Air Cutter left when it bounced against Swords Dance. Ichigo started thinking again about what Sui-Feng told him and replayed the match in his head. "I think I got it."

Hearing Ichigo's story, it shows how dedicated he is to win his gym battle and win the Unova League. Of course, he's going to need to defeat Sui-Feng first. Stay tune to see if he'll be able to.

To Be Continued….

AN: Remember, let's get a few reviews here every now and then.