"Hurry. I want to get there before it's too late." Orihime said as she and the others climbed a set of stairs.

"We're coming." Ichigo said.

Ichigo has succeeded in defeating Sajin and has earned himself his fifth badge. As they day comes to an end, our heroes depart from Tenken City tomorrow. First, they wish to look at a sight to behold.

All of them climbed up the stairs until they made it to the top and was met with a grassy area surrounded by a fence. This was a famous viewing spot in Tenken City that allows you to see amazing sunsets.

"It's beautiful up here!" Orihime said.

"I've got to admit that it really is." Rukia said.

"Check it out. The sun is going down." Chad said. All of them headed over to the edge and all of them watched as the sun was going down. They sky and the light looked like a work of beautiful art.

"Wow! It's so beautiful and it's so peaceful here. I feel like all my troubles are gone." Orihime said. What none of them saw was that flying above was a couple helicopters and it didn't seem to be going anywhere.

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) Stairway of the Transcendent

When the sun finally set and night covered the sky, less people showed up at the giant viewpoint. That gave the clear for the people in the helicopters to come down. Ropes dropped down and people in white robes with white hair slid down the ropes and touched down on ground.

"Commander Kaname, the area is completely cleared." One of them said as the one in charge stepped on the ground. He wore a white sleeveless outfit with orange rope hanging around his neck and went under his left arm. He also wore a visor over his eyes.

"Excellent work." Kaname said. "Begin the search at once." His henchmen began scanning around the area. It would seem that Team Transcendent is moving again, but what are they after this time.

…

Sajin

Sajin was doing some work at his gym as his Lycanroc was resting. However, Lycanroc's eyes shot wide open for it felt something was not right.

"Lycanroc? Is there something wrong?" Sajin asked.

"Ly!" Lycanroc began growling and that was a sign to Sajin that Lycanroc could tell something was wrong.

…

The Pokemon Center

Ichigo and the others would be staying in Tenken City for the night and be heading out tomorrow. They let all their pokemon out to have dinner and play around. As they were just relaxing, Ichigo was admiring the fact that he has five ribbons.

"We're almost there, Absol." Ichigo said.

"Absol."

"I can't believe you actually have five badges already." Orihime said. "It's impressive that you've made it so far."

"Thanks, Orihime. I'm not done yet. I still need three badges if I'm going to make it to the Unova League." Ichigo said.

"You'll get them soon." Chad said.

"Let's see if we can figure out where your next gym is with Orihime's next talent star." Rukia said as she looked at the map on the wall.

"Excuse me." Nurse Joy said as she came by. "If you're looking for Pokemon Talent Star. There's a competition happening in Seenok Tow. It's only about a day away."

"That's great. I'll get my second medal there." Orihime said.

"As for the gym, the closest one from here would have to be in Kyotsu City." Nurse Joy said. "That gym is a dark-type gym."

"A dark-type gym in Kyotsu City. Sounds interesting to check out." Ichigo said. They might know what's in their next destination, but they don't know what's happening where they are now.

….

Team Transcendent

Kaname and his team continued to the scanning and searching for whatever it is they might be after. Kaname heard people coming up from the stairs.

"Trust me, the stars are best viewed here." A man and a woman came up, but they saw what was happening.

"What's going on here?" The woman asked. Kaname couldn't afford there to be any distractions as he reached for his pokeball.

"Pinsir, come on out." Kaname said.

"Pinsir!"

"Pinsir, chase them away with Hyper Beam." Kaname said. Pinsir unleashed a powerful blast near the two and it caused them to run. "Make sure no one gets up here. We can't have any distractions."

"Yes sir!" All of them said and some of them guarded the entrance.

…

The Pokemon Center

Even at the pokemon center, Marill was able to hear that explosion and thought something strange was going on. Marill ran off and left everyone confused.

"Marill, where are you going?" Orihime asked.

"Marill!" Marill just ran out the door. Orihime and the others got their pokemon back in their pokeballs and ran after Marill. Marill only got a few feet before Orihime was able to grab it.

"Marill, why would you just run off like that?" Orihime said.

"Ichigo!" All of them turned around and saw Sajin with Lycanroc.

"Sajin? What's going on?" Ichigo said.

"I'm not sure." Sajin said. "Lycanroc sensed something was wrong. I'm trying to figure it out and I think I see what it might be."

"I wonder if that's what Marill heard." Orihime said.

"What is it?" Rukia asked.

"Take a look at those helicopters." Sajin said as he pointed to them and saw them there. "They've been flying over that spot all day. It might be something to investigate."

"You might be right." Ichigo said. "Let's go check it out." All of them agreed and went to investigate.

…

Team Transcendent

Team Transcendent continued their search, but it seemed like it was taking a long time.

"How much of the area has been scanned?" Kaname asked.

"About seventy percent sir." One of the henchmen said. Everything seemed to have been going well for them and it didn't seem like they would be stopped.

"Absol use Razor Wind."

"Lycanroc use Brick Break." Kaname hear voices. When he turned to the stairway, he saw an explosion go off that took down a few of his henchmen. When the smoke cleared, they saw Ichigo and the others arrived.

"What do we have here?" Kaname said.

"Who are you people and what are you doing here?" Sajin asked.

"Hang on." Ichigo said as he recognized the uniforms. "We've seen those clothes before."

"Back in Suzuma City. It's Team Transcendent." Rukia said.

"Team Transcendent?" Sajin questioned.

"So you actually know about us." Kaname said. "However, I can't allow you to interfere with our plans. Pinsir use Focus Blast." Pinsir concentrated energy into an orb and shot it out. All of them moved out of the way of the attack. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Not a chance. I don't know what you guys are up to, but it won't happen." Ichigo said.

"Remove them." Kaname ordered and all of them obliged.

"Go, Houndour! Go, Magnemite!" All of them said and let out their pokemon to help them in this fight as they used Flamethrower and Thunderbolt.

"I don't think so. Lycanroc use Stone Edge." Sajin said. Lycanroc slammed its claw against the ground and caused the stones to rise and slam into some of the pokemon.

"Let's get in there and battle. Dewgong use Signal Beam!" Rukia said as she called on her partner.

"Hawlucha use Aerial Ace!" Chad said as he did the same.

"Dew/Hawlucah!" Both pokemon came out and attacked the enemy. Kaname didn't have time for this and tried to walk away.

"Where are you going? Get him, Absol." Ichigo said.

"Absol!" Absol charged in and went right for Kaname.

"Now use Double Hit, Pinsir." Kaname said.

"Absol use Night Slash." Both pokemon had their horns glow and slammed into each other.

"We'll have to end this quickly." Kaname said as he reached for a keystone stone that was in his visors. "Pinsir, Mega Evolve!" Pinsir's stone was on its back in a piece of black armor as energy traveled through it and the keystone for Pinsir to change forms with it growing wings.

"So that's how you want to play." Ichigo said as he reached for his mega ring. "Absol, Mega Evolve!" Absol went through the same process and became Mega Absol.

"An orange hair trainer with a Mega Absol. You must be the one Gin told me about." Kaname said.

"The name's Ichigo. I don't know what you're doing here, but you're not getting whatever you're after. Absol use Night Slash again."

"Use Superpower." Absol's horn glowed and Pinsir was surrounded by a white aura. The two charged at each other again and resulted in a large collision.

"Lycanroc use Stone Edge again." Sajin said. Lycanroc used its attack again and was able to take down a few pokemon.

"Marill, help out by using Bubble Beam." Orihime said. Marill shot out the bubbles and blasted some of the enemy pokemon.

"Not bad, Orihime. You seem to be a strong one yourself." Sajin said.

"You really think so?" Orihime said as she felt flattered. That couldn't last long as some Magnemite unleashed some electricity.

"Marill!" Marill took the force of all those attacks and got caught in an explosion.

"No, Marill!" Orihime screamed as she was afraid Marill was hurt. However, Orihime saw a light coming from the explosion and could see Marill changing. The smoke cleared away and showed something new to Orihime.

"Azumarill!"

"Orihime, Marill has evolved into Azumarill!" Sajin said and Orihime was amazed that Marill evolved.

"Amazing. Azumarill use Water Gun." Orihime said.

"Azu!" Azumaril shot out the water and blasted some of Team Transcendent's pokemon.

"Dewgong use Brine." Rukia said.

"Hawlucha use Karate Chop." Chad said. Both of their partners used their attacks and beat their opponents. All that was left was Ichigo and Kaname with Absol and Pinsir.

"Absol use Razor Wind." Ichigo said.

"Pinsir use Hyper Beam." Kaname said. Both of their pokemon used their attacks, but the Hyper Beam was stronger and blasted Absol and knocked him off his feet.

"Absol!" Ichigo shouted.

"I do not wish to prolong this battle. I think it might be best if you surrender." Kaname said.

"Lycanroc use Brick Break." Sajin said. Lycanroc jumped up and came down on Pinsir with the attack and Pinsir hit the ground hard. Kaname looked around and saw most of his servants have been defeated.

"I think you're the one that needs to give up." Sajin said.

"Commander Kaname, we found it." One of his subordinates said.

"Are you sure?" Kaname asked as he looked over to the one that said it.

"It's right here." The subordinate said.

"Pinsir, dig it out with Superpower." Kaname said. Pinsir flew over to the spot and started digging around in it. All of them wondered what they were digging out until Pinsir came up holding a plate in its claws.

"That's a mind plate! That's used to increase the power of psychic-types." Sajin said.

"Hang on. Didn't they take something like that last time?" Ichigo said.

"An iron plate." Rukia said. "I don't get it. Why are they going through all this trouble just for those?"

"We're done here. Pinsir use Hyper Beam on the ground." Kaname said. Pinsir unleashed the beam on the ground and it created a dust cloud that prevented Ichigo and the others from seeing them. It cleared away just enough for them to see Team Transcendent escape with the helicopters flying off and leaving them all wondering what purpose this all served.

…..

The Next Day

"That was certainly a strange event." Sajin said as he was speaking to Ichigo and the others before they left. "I've alerted Officer Jenny about this. She'll investigate this matter."

"I just don't get it." Rukia said. "Why are they going through all this trouble for a couple plates? What could they be after?"

"Perhaps we'll find out if we encounter them again." Ichigo said. "Thanks for everything, Sajin, but we need to get going."

"I understand. Best of luck when you reach the Unova League." Sajin said. "You as well, Orihime, in the Ultimate Talent Star." Thanking him for that, all of them waved farewell as they got back on the road.

Our heroes might have failed to stop Team Transcendent from escaping, but our heroes fought bravely against them. Now, they're heading to Seenok Town and then Kyotsu City for their next challenges…as the journey continues.

To Be Continued….