"There it is!" Orihime said as all of them went running and could see Tenken City from the top of the hill.
Our heroes have finally arrived at Tenken City. This is where Ichigo is planning to win his fifth badge.
"Tenken City is famous for this view that allows you to see a glorious sunset." Rukia said.
"I'm only interested in the gym." Ichigo said as he and Absol were ready for battle.
"Hold it. Look down there." Chad said as he pointed further down the road. All of them saw Midnight Form Lycanroc and it appeared to have cornered a few small pokemon such as an Azurill, a Bellsprout, and a Paras. That Lycanroc didn't look friendly either.
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!
(Ichigo's voice) School Rocks
"Lycanroc." Lycanroc had all three of the little pokemon cornered. Ichigo and the others raced down to try and help the three of them.
"Tauros and Palpitoad, help us out!" Ichigo said.
"Roo!"
"Palpitoad!"
"Use Horn Attack and Rock Smash." Ichigo said. Both of them went to attack. Lycanroc saw both of them coming and jumped back. Tauros guard the three pokemon while Palpitoad stood to face Lycanroc. "What's this about?"
"Why is that Lycanroc attacking these three?" Rukia said.
"Don't know, but if it wants a battle, it's got one." Ichigo said as they all looked ready to take action.
"Wait!" All of them looked to see a man was running their way. He had light brown long hair with some teal armored arms and wore black clothes with a white vest. What intimidated them was that he was huge. "You see, this Lycanroc is my pokemon. It was just obtaining these three who belong to the school I work at. These three got out."
"Oh! So this Midnight Form Lycanroc was just retrieving them." Orihime clarified. The giant dropped down to one knee and ran his hands against Palpitoad and Tauros.
"I can tell you two are strong with a lot of heart for battle." The man said and they both felt flattered. The man stood back up to talk to all of them. "My name is Sajin and I'm the gym leader of Tenken City."
"You're the gym leader?!" Ichigo said and ran up to him. "My name is Ichigo and I came to this city to challenge your gym."
"I see. First, let's get these three back to the school." Sajin said. They got the three back in pokeballs and started heading to the school. "Sadly, I won't be able to have any battles today. You don't mind if we have the battle tomorrow, do you?"
"As long as we have a battle at all, I don't mind." Ichigo said.
"So is the school you teach at for trainers?" Orihime asked.
"That's right." Sajin said. "That's it right there." All of them saw the school ahead. After returning the pokemon, Sajin was giving them a tour of the place. "This school teaches young kids all about being a trainer. It also helps those who are trainers, or those who are just starting out as trainers whether they're children or adults, learn more. That's the class I teach."
"I see. Sounds like a good idea to get a little education when you do become a trainer." Rukia said and they arrived at Sajin's class where his students, child or adult, were interacting with each other.
"Ichigo, you don't mind stepping in as a special guest, do you?" Sajin asked. "My students would love to hear from an experience trainer."
"Sure." Ichigo said.
"Class, settle down!" Sajin said and all of the students took their seats. "Today we have a special guest. He's come here to challenge my gym to a battle. Meet Ichigo."
"Hi there. This is my partner, Absol." Ichigo said.
"Absol."
"Ichigo, how many badges do you have exactly?" Sajin said.
"I actually got four. Winning in your gym will be my fifth. See for yourself." Ichigo said as he took out his badges and showed them to everyone.
"Wow! They're the real deal."
"And he seems so young."
"He must be strong if he already has four badges."
"Sounds like they're all impressed." Orihime said.
"From what Sajin told us, they haven't been trainers for very long. It makes sense they would be impressed." Rukia said.
"I know it might seem impressive, but I couldn't have done it without Absol and the others." Ichigo said.
"Absol."
"I've actually seen his Tauros and his Palpitoad in action. I could tell just by looking at them that they're both strong." Sajin said. All of his students seemed impressed with him, but there was one student that didn't looked amazed with Ichigo as the rest of them.
…
Ichigo
"Okay. While we're waiting around for that gym battle, we could use some training. We've got to be ready." Ichigo said as he had all his pokemon out outside the school. "Are you guys ready for this?" All of them cheered and it sounded like they were.
"Ichigo, have you thought about what pokemon you're going to use? Sajin might be using that Lycanroc." Rukia said.
"I know, but I'll be ready for it." Ichigo said.
"Yeah right." Both of them looked off to the side and saw one student. He wore a green shirt and shorts with and orange tie and he had short black hair.
"Who are you?" Ichigo said.
"The name's Kevin. I'm practically the best trainer in this school." Kevin said. He took a look at Ichigo's pokemon. "These are your pokemon? They don't look so tough. You think you're something just because you have four badges?"
"What's the matter? Jealous?" Ichigo taunted.
"Why? I bet those badges aren't even real." Kevin said and that was a great insult to Ichigo.
"Trust me, you're walking on thin ice." Ichigo said as he wasn't liking how this guy was talking.
…
The Classroom
Orihime and Chad stayed behind and watch over the class. Orihime seemed fascinated by how this school works.
"Wow. This place seems like it could be a lot of fun." Orihime said.
"Yes, but it tends to be a hassle some of the time." Sajin said.
"What do you mean?" Chad asked. Before Sajin had the chance to answer, Rukia came running in the class like a student needing a teacher's help.
"Sajin, I think you better get outside." Rukia said and it sounded like there was trouble.
….
Outside
Ichigo and Kevin pressed their heads against each other. Kevin kept talking about how Ichigo was nothing special or even strong and Ichigo was getting annoyed by it. Rukia got the others and all of them ran out.
"Kevin?" Sajin said and seemed disappointed.
"What's the deal with that kid?" Rukia said. "He's been saying that Ichigo's strength is nothing, but a fraud."
"Kevin's my most troubling student. He believes that because he's one of the best, he's tougher than anyone." Sajin said.
"You want to say that about my pokemon again?" Ichigo said.
"I'll say it a hundred times if I have to." Kevin said.
"That's enough." Sajin said as he clapped his hands. "There's only one way to settle this and this goes with what I have planned. A double battle. Both of you will battle using two pokemon at once."
"That's fine with me." Ichigo said.
"Sure and we'll see how weak you really are." Kevin said. Everyone went to a battlefield and were ready to face each other in this battle.
"I'll use these two. Palpitoad and Tauros, go!" Ichigo said.
"Roo!"
"Palpitoad!"
"Okay." Kevin said as he took out two pokeballs. "I'll use these two!" He tossed them up and out came a Skuntank and Linoone.
"Skun!"
"Linoone!"
"Skuntank and Linoone. A poison-type and normal-type. This should be interesting." Rukia said.
"Allow me to start this off. Tauros use Horn Attack and Palpitoad use Rock Smash." Ichigo said. Both of his pokemon went to attack.
"Dodge them and use Fury Swipes and Headbutt." Kevin said and both his pokemon moved out of the way with some speed. Linoone rammed its head against Tauros and Skuntank scratched against Palpitoad.
"Whoa! They're both fast ones." Ichigo said.
"Skuntank use Poison Gas." Kevin said. Skuntank stood on its front legs and unleashed a poisonous cloud.
"I don't think so. Palpitoad use Hydro Pump and wash it away." Ichigo said and Palpitoad unleashed all the water and caused the cloud to disperse.
"No way! He used Hydro Pump to clear away the gas?!" Kevin said.
"Tauros use Take Down and Palpitoad use Mud Shot." Ichigo said. Tauros charged at Linoone and knocked him down. Palpitoad shot out some mud and blasted Skuntank.
"Palpitoad seems to be the bigger problem." Kevin said. "Linoone use Slash on it." Linoone charged at Palpitoad and slashed against it with Palpitoad being knocked down. "Finish this with Flamethrower, Skuntank."
"Skun!" Skuntank breathed out flames and they were heading towards Palpitoad.
"Help Palpitoad, Tauros." Ichigo said. Tauros ran in and blocked the attack with his own body. Sajin was quite impressed with Tauros' endurance and Palpitoad's strong will.
"I knew you and your pokemon were nothing special." Kevin said.
"Don't ever look down on my pokemon." Ichigo said. "Tauros, Palpitoad, I know the two of you can do this. Reach down inside yourselves and unleashed the power." Tauros heard Ichigo's voice and pushed the flames away.
"Roo!" Tauros kicked up his front legs and slammed down on the ground and caused the whole place to shake.
"What's going on?" Kevin said.
"Tauros, did you just use Earthquake?" Ichigo asked and Tauros confirmed it. "That's awesome. You just learn how to use Earthquake."
"Impressive. Right when Ichigo needed it, his Tauros pulled through." Sajin said. Palpitoad got up and both of them were ready.
"Let's finish this. Palpitoad use Hydro Pump and Tauros use Iron Head." Ichigo said. Both of them used their attacks. Palpitoad blasted Skuntank and Tauros slammed against Linoone. Both of them were beaten after those last attacks.
"Linoone and Skuntank are unable to battle. Tauros and Palpitoad are the winners." Sajin said.
"No way! He beat them both!" Kevin said. "Okay. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I can see how you ended up getting those four badges."
"Thank you. Was that so hard?" Ichigo said.
"Ichigo, you and your pokemon do seem to be impressive." Sajin said. "I'll be ready for our gym battle tomorrow."
"So will I. That badge is going to be mine." Ichigo said.
After spending a little time at school, Sajin got a glimpse of Ichigo's strength. We'll see if it will be of use in the upcoming gym battle. So stay tune for another exciting battle.
To Be Continued….