"I love my new medal." Orihime said as she admired the medal in her case. She just hasn't stopped looking at it.

"Careful, Orihime. You don't want to be seeing stars all day." Ichigo said.

Orihime has been overjoyed ever since she won her first star medal. At the moment, they all continue on their path towards Tenken City so Ichigo can win his fifth badge.

"Hang on." Rukia said as she had all of them come to a stop. "Do you all hear something?" All of them took a listen and it sounded like pokemon cheering.

"It's coming from over there." Chad said as he pointed over to the right. All of them were careful and had look to see there were about nine Kirlia dancing around.

"They're all adorable. What are they?" Orihime said.

"They're all Kirlia. They all sure do seem to love dancing." Rukia said.

"Say! Maybe if I can catch one, I can give Roselia a dancing partner." Orihime said as she reached for a pokeball and was ready to catch one. Just before she could act, a blast of wind came and disturbed all the Kirlia and it was a surprise to all of them.

Pokémon!
It's a battle, win or lose
It's the friends you make, it's the road you choose
You've got the right stuff
So make your mind up
Find the courage inside of you
If you're strong you'll survive
And you'll keep your dream alive
Let the battle begin
Pokémon!
Be the best you can be
And find your destiny
It's the master plan
The power's in your hand
Pokémon!

(Orihime's voice) Cast Out the Outcast

All the Kirlia went running off after the attack came out of nowhere and nearly hit all of them. Orihime and the others were wondering what was going on.

"What was that?" Orihime said.

"Absol!" Absol looked up and they all did the same. They all saw there was another Kirlia up a tree and it seemed more distant than the other Kirlia with its arms crossed and leaning against the tree.

"Another Kirlia?" Rukia questioned.

"Why did it attack?" Ichigo asked.

"Kirlia!" Kirlia looked down and they all noticed a man with a green jumpsuit and brown hair coming up to Kirlia. "Were you causing trouble again?"

"Kirlia." Kirlia didn't even bother talking to the man. It just jumped down and left them.

"What am I going to do with you?" The man questioned.

"Excuse me." Orihime said and got his attention. "Could you tell us what that was all about?" The man led the way to his hut out in an opened area in the woods and treated all of them some tea.

"Let me start with introductions. My name is Roberto and I watch over this land."

"My name is Ichigo and this is Absol."

"Absol."

"I'm Orihime."

"My name is Rukia."

"I'm Chad."

"So what was the deal with that Kirlia?" Orihime asked.

"Just take a look." Roberto said as he pointed out the window and they saw all the Kirlia together again. The one that attacked earlier was just sitting back on a rock and acted like it wasn't caring.

"Why's that one distancing itself from the others?" Ichigo asked.

"I guess it feels like an outcast." Roberto said.

"What do you mean?" Orihime said.

"There are ten Kirlia that live around here." Roberto said. "That Kirlia on the rock is actually the only male."

"It's the only male?" Ichigo questioned.

"That's right." Roberto said. "It feels like it doesn't belong here. I bet most men would enjoy being the only one around girls. That Kirlia isn't one of them. It feels like an outcast and doesn't really get along with the other Kirlia."

"Wow. I feel bad for it." Orihime said. "It sounds like that Kirlia is all alone."

"I try to do what I can for that Kirlia, but it doesn't seem like it wants help from anyone." Roberto said. "I really don't know what I'm going to do with it." Orihime looked towards the male Kirlia and she felt really bad for it. She felt like she needed to do something to help it.

"Kirlia! Kirlia!" All the Kirlia continued to dance around while the male only sat on that rock and listened to them go on.

"You can join them if you want."

"Kirl?" Kirlia looked down and saw Orihime standing there.

"I understand that you're the only male Kirlia among all the ones here, but that doesn't mean you should distant yourself from the others." Orihime said. "Why don't you just go and ask to join them?"

"Kirlia." Kirlia acted like he didn't care as he jumped off the rock and just started walking.

"Wait." Orihime said as she wanted to go after him, but Kirlia used Psychic and pushed Orihime back. Obviously, he wanted to be left alone as Kirlia walked into the woods.

"I guess he's more of a loner." Orihime looked behind her and saw Ichigo coming up to her.

"Do you think I shouldn't try to get Kirlia to open up?" Orihime said.

"No. You're just being who you are. You feel bad for that Kirlia and you want to help it." Ichigo said. "That Kirlia is just going to be a hard berry to break open." As Kirlia walked away from them, a Loudred stayed hidden in the trees and had a sneaky smirk on its face.

"Loudred."

…

Kirlia

Kirlia went in the woods for some training for it was a strong battler. Kirlia kicked against a tree a few times to raise some of his strength. As Kirlia was training, Orihime was staying out of his way as she just watched from the bushes.

"Kirlia seems like it's a strong one." Orihime said. Kirlia could sense that Orihime was watching him. He had wind gather around him and he shot out a shockwave in her direction. Orihime moved out of the way before it could hit. "Hey! That wasn't very nice."

"Kirlia!" Kirlia didn't seem happy that Orihime was here.

"I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, but I just want to be sure you're okay." Orihime said. Kirlia still looked annoyed, but he let it go for he felt something was wrong. "What's wrong?"

"Kirlia!" Kirlia ran off and Orihime went after him to try and help with whatever problem there was.

…

The Kirlia

"Loudred!" The Loudred from before arrived and all the female Kirlia were running scared because of it. Ichigo and all the others arrived and saw what it was doing.

"Not you again." Roberto complained.

"What's the problem?" Rukia said.

"That Loudred comes by every once in a while and harasses all the female Kirlia." Roberto said. "It completely annoys all of them."

"Not for long. Absol use Razor Wind and chase it away." Ichigo said.

"Absol!" Absol unleashed the attack, but Loudred saw it coming and dodged the attack. Loudred came at Absol and focused some of its power in his fist and gave Absol a powerful punch.

"Absol!" Ichigo shouted.

"That was a powerful Focus Punch." Chad said. Loudred was about to do more, but a blast of green energy scythes stopped it form going any further. All of them looked and they saw the male Kirlia.

"Kirlia?" Roberto said as he was surprised to see it.

"Is it challenging Loudred?" Ichigo said.

"Loudred!" Loudred looked annoyed with Kirlia, but Kirlia wasn't backing down. Loudred went to attack with a barrage of Focus Punch, but Kirlia was dodging each of its attacks. Kirlia used Psychic and pushed Loudred back. Kirlia seemed sure of the victory, but Loudred pulled a surprise attack as it stomped on the ground and used Eathquake. Kirlia lost balanced and Loudred used it to its advantage as it jumped up and was going to use Stomp.

"Oh no! Kirlia!" Roberto called out as they all thought Kirlia was in trouble, but Orihime came to the rescue and was able to get Kirlia out of the way.

"Kirlia, are you hurt?" Orihime asked, but Kirlia was amazed Orihime did that. However, it saw Loudred was going to attack again, but Kirlia used Psychic on Loudred again and sent it…..blasting off.

"Quite the distance!" Ichigo said.

"Orihime, are you and Kirlia hurt?" Chad asked as they all went to the two.

"I'm okay. I'm glad to see you're not hurt either, Kirlia." Orihime said. Kirlia would admit it, but it was impressed that Orihime risked injuring herself to help it.

"I have an idea. Orihime, didn't you mention you were going to capture a Kirlia?" Roberto said. "Why don't you take this one?"

"Really?" Orihime asked.

"I actually think this might be good for him." Roberto said.

"What do you say, Kirlia?" Orihime asked him. Kirlia jumped back from her and dared her to come at him. "It looks like you want to battle first. If that's what you want, that's what you'll get." Orihime called upon Sylveon to help her in this battle and ready to face Kirlia. "Sylvoen, start out with Quick Attack!"

"Sylveon!" Sylveon charged right at Kirlia, but Kirlia had a barrier form around him and Sylveon was repelled against it. Then, Kirlia blasted Sylveon with green energy scythes.

"First, Kirlia defended itself with Protect. Then, blasted Sylveon with Magical Leaf when Sylveon was close enough!" Rukia said. "That Kirlia is a fierce battler."

"Don't give up. Sylveon use Fairy Wind." Orihime said and Sylveon created the sparkling wind attack and blasted Kirlia with it. "Now use Moonblast." Kirlia formed the pink orb and shot it towards Kirlia with Kirlia getting hit. "Go, pokeball!" The ball hit Kirlia and Kirlia went inside. It shook around for a few seconds, but Kirlia was able to get out.

"It just won't give up the battle." Ichigo said as he was impressed with that Kirlia. Kirlia had wind gather around.

"Watch out! It's about to use Vacuum Wave!" Rukia warned and Kirlia shot out the attack.

"Sylveon use Fairy Wind!" Orihime said. Sylveon unleashed Fairy Wind and it countered against Vacuum Wave with an explosion going off. "I've got to try something. Hold on, Kirlia is a male. Sylveon use Attract."

"Sylveon!" Sylveon winked and unleashed some hearts and they swirled around Kirlia. They entered him and Kirlia had hearts in his eyes.

"Sylveon use Quick Attack!" Orihime said. Sylveon increased her speed and slammed against Kirlia. "Here we go again!" Orihime tossed out a pokeball again and Kirlia went inside it again. They all waited and hoped for the capture to work until the ball stopped moving and Kirlia was caught.

"She did it!" Chad said as they were all happy for her. Orihime grabbed the pokeball and was so happy for her new capture. With Kirlia joining the group, Roberto pointed the way to Tenken City.

"Follow this path and you'll arrive in Tenken City in no time." Roberto said. "Take good care of that Kirlia."

"I will." Orihime said.

"Thanks, Roberto. Bye." Ichigo said as all of them got back on the road with one more joining them.

Now that Orihime has Kirlia joining in, our heroes head out again to Tenken City. Perhaps Kirlia will feel more comfortable with our group….as the journey continues.

To Be Continued…