Ichigo is still aiming to win against Sui-Feng. He continues to train and he seems to have come up with some sort of plan that will bring her down.

Ichigo was out with Zubat and Absol with all of them still training.

"Way to go guys." Ichigo said as he was amazed with the progress they made. "Are you two ready for that rematch against Sui-Feng?"

"Absol!"

"Zubat!" Will Ichigo win this time or will he just face defeat again.

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) The Sting of Bonding

Ichigo got the others and they stood facing the gym. Ichigo was ready for his rematch and he's not leaving without a badge.

"Ichigo, are you sure you're ready for this?" Orihime said.

"You don't need to worry. I am. I believe in Zubat and in Absol." Ichigo said.

"Good luck." Chad said.

"He's going to need it." Rukia said as they all went through the door.

"I'm back!" Ichigo called out. Sui-Feng heard him and walked up to them.

"Haven't you had enough?" Sui-Feng said.

"This isn't going to go like last time." Ichigo said with greater confidence. "I'm ready for you this time." Sui-Feng saw he had a whole new look and he wasn't going anyway.

"Very well." Sui-Feng said. "I won't stop you if you want some more punishment." All of them headed for the battlefield.

"The rematch between Ichigo and Sui-Feng will now being." The referee said. "The rules are the same as last time. Both sides will use two pokemon. The battle will be over when both pokemon on either side are unable to battle. Only the challenger is allowed to substitute. Let the battle begin!"

"Yanma, battle position!" Sui-Feng said.

"Yanma!"

"Zubat, let's go!" Ichigo said.

"Zubat!"

"The same Zubat? It lost before. What makes you think this will be any different?" Sui-Feng said.

"It will be. Allow me to show you." Ichigo said. "Zubat, start by using Wing Attack." Zubat's wings glowed and went to attack.

"Nothing different so far. Yanma, dodge it." Sui-Feng said. Yanma flew up and avoided Yanma's attack.

"Don't let it escape. Stay on its tail and stay as close as you can." Ichigo said. Zubat flew off after Yanma with it starting to catch up. "Now use Air Cutter."

"Use Detect." Sui-Feng said. Yanma's eyes glowed as Zubat used its attack, but Yanma was able to dodge all the attacks without even turning its head.

"How did Yanma know where to dodge the attack?" Orihime said.

"Detect can detect can opponent's attack and I heard that a Yanma can see 360 degrees." Rukia said. "Sui-Feng raised her pokemon's speed well to make it hard to land an attack."

"I was waiting for you to do that. Zubat use Supersonic." Ichigo said. Zubat unleashed the sonic attack and Yanma got caught in it.

"Urgh. Yanma, no." Sui-Feng groaned. Yanma was in a confused state as it flew around and banged against the ceiling. "Yanma, snap out of it."

"Zubat use Wing Attack." Ichigo said. Zubat flew over at Yanma and slammed its wings against Yanma.

"Yanma, get a hold of yourself now." Sui-Feng said, but Yanma was still acting confused.

"Now use Air Cutter." Ichigo said. Zubat unleashed the X-shaped attacks and Yanama got hit again and was knocked out of the air.

"Yanma is unable to battle. Zubat is the winner." The referee said.

"No way! Perhaps he has learned something from our last battle." Sui-Feng said.

"Yes! Ichigo won." Orihime said.

"Don't celebrate yet." Chad said.

"There's still one more battle he needs to win." Rukia said.

"Ninjask, battle position!" Sui-Feng said.

"Ninjask!"

"Be careful, Zubat. Ninjask is faster than Yanma." Ichigo said. "Let's start out with Wing Attack." Zubat flew right at Ninjask.

"Use Agility and dodge it." Sui-Feng said. Ninjask increased its speed and slipped away. "Now use a combination of Agility and Double Team."

"Ninjask!" Ninjask was moving so fast that it made clones of itself and had Zubat surrounded.

"Not this again." Rukia said.

"Keep an eye open, Zubat." Ichigo said. "None of them, but one is real. We just need to find it."

"You're not going to get the chance." Sui-Feng said. "Ninjask use Slash!" All of the Ninjask charged right at Zubat.

"Use Supersonic and aim it all around." Ichigo said.

"Zuba!" Zubat unleashed the sonic attack again and the real Ninjask got caught in it with the clones disappearing.

"Not again." Sui-Feng complained.

"Now use Wing Attack." Ichigo said. Zubat flew in and hit Ninjask. However, Ninjask was still flying and shook its head and snapped out of the confusion.

"You're kidding me. It already snapped out of it?" Ichigo said.

"Ninjask use Slash!" Sui-Feng said. Ninjask used its speed and got right over Zubat. It slashed down and Zubat got hit with Zubat hitting the ground and was taken out.

"Zubat is unable to battle. Ninjask is the winner." The referee said.

"Aw. Zubat did so well." Orihime said as Ichigo returned Zubat.

"His only hope now is Absol." Chad said.

"Are you ready?" Ichigo asked Absol.

"Absol." Absol was all set to go as he walked out on the field.

"Yoou can do it, Absol!" Orihime cheered.

"Absol has to or we'll be back at square one." Rukia said.

"You're still going to use a dark-type against a bug-type? You fool." Sui-Feng said. "End this in one shot by using Fury Cutter!"

"Ninjask!" Ninjask charged right at Absol with its claws glowed and was going to strike at Absol.

"Now use Swords Dance!" Ichigo said. Absol generated the swords and one of the swords was able to deflect Ninjask's attack. That was a surprise to all of them.

"What? Since when can Swords Dance do that?" Sui-Feng questioned.

"Since I just made it up." Ichigo said. "While I was training for this rematch, I learned I can use Swords Dance to deflect some attacks even though its purpose is just to give Absol a little extra power."

"I must admit that is a little interesting. I never would have thought to use Swords Dance like that." Sui-Feng said.

"Thanks." Ichigo said. "In fact, it was upon learning about this that I figured out what you were trying to tell me earlier."

"Is that so?" Sui-Feng asked.

"Yeah." Ichigo said. "Last time, I did just attack recklessly and I can't do that. Battling is where you use strategy and think on your feet. You need to use attacks in ways others wouldn't expect. Just like how use Ninjask's Agility and Double Team together. A battle is where you need to be one with your pokemon and it helps your bonds grow."

"So you can learn." Sui-Feng said as her way of saying he was right. "That doesn't mean you're still going to win. On with the battle."

"You got it. Absol use Night Slash." Ichigo said.

"Counter with Slash." Sui-Feng said. The two of them charged at each other and slammed against each other. The two of them clashed into each other, but Absol was stronger and pushed Ninjask back.

"Great. Let's keep it up with Dark Pulse." Ichigo said.

"Absol!" Absol fired the dark beam.

"Dodge it." Sui-Feng said. Ninjask was able to avoid the attack, but Chad noticed something different about Ninjask.

"Is Ninjask moving slower?" Chad said. The girls took a close look and saw Chad was right.

"It is! Ninjask must have lost some power." Rukia said.

"Ninjask use Fury Cutter." Sui-Feng said. Ninjask flew in to attack again.

"Dodge it." Ichigo said and Absol was able to jump away from the attack. "Absol use Razor Wind and let's end this."

"You'll have to find it first. Ninjask use Double Team." Sui-Feng said. Absol was about to use his attack, but Ninjask made copies of itself to avoid getting hit. Absol didn't know which one to attack.

"It'll be okay." Ichigo said to reassure Absol. "Just focus and try to find Ninjask." Absol understood and closed his eyes as he tried to use his instincts to find the real Ninjask.

"We've got to strike now." Sui-Feng said. "Ninjask, strike Absol down with Fury Cutter." All them charged in and went to attack. Absol listened to his instincts and found the real one was heading right for a direct attack.

"Absol, Razor Wind!" Absol unleashed his attack was able to strike at Ninjask and shot it down. Ninjask bounced against the ground and was defeated.

"Ninjask is unable to battle. Absol is the winner. Victory goes to Ichigo, the challenger." The referee said.

"We won? We actually won!" Ichigo cheered. Absol ran over to Ichigo and Ichigo wrapped his arms around Absol's neck. "We actually did it, Absol."

"Absol!"

"Congratulations, Ichigo." Orihime said.

"You really did well." Rukia said.

"Your friends speak the truth." Sui-Feng said as she walked over to them. "You learned a great lesson from our battle and a great lesson comes with a great reward." She held up the badge that looked like a gold and black stinger. "This is the Stinger Badge. It is proof that you won here."

"Thank you, Sui-Feng." Ichigo said as he took it and felt a great amount of pride. Ichigo took out a badge case and placed his first badge inside. "We got one, Absol, but there are still seven more we need to obtain before we can reach the Unova League. "Just watch, Mom. I'm going to make it and I'm going to win."

Ichigo won his rematch against Sui-Feng and has earned the Stinger Badge. With one down and seven to go, Ichigo's journey is just getting started. There's more to come his way….as the journey continues.

To Be Continued….