Our heroes continue with their journey as they head for Ichigo's sixth gym battle. I just hope they packed some appropriate clothes.

Ichigo and the others were walking through the forest until they felt a cold breeze flow through them.

"Whoa!" Ichigo said as they all shivered. "What the heck? Where did that cold air come from?"

"I don't know. It seemed unnatural." Rukia said.

"Cry!" All of them looked ahead of them and they saw a Cryogonal fly out in front of them.

"It's a Cryogonal!" Rukia said as she loved to see one right in front of her. "Cryogonal are one of my favorite ice-types. I've just got to catch it." She reached for a pokeball to catch it, but Cryogonal acted first.

"Cry!" Cryogonal powered up blue and green energy and shot it as a beam towards them all and none of them knew why it was attacking.

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) Nice Ice, Rukia

All of them moved out of the way from when Cryogonal attacking them. None of them understood why Cryogonal would just come out of nowhere and attacked them like that.

"What was that?" Orihime said.

"That was an Aurora Beam." Rukia said. "I don't get why it would attack. Did I scare it when I reached for a pokeball?" Cryogonal continued to attack them as it shot a cold beam.

"Go, Froslass!" A pokeball was tossed out and a Froslass came out from it.

"Froslass!" Froslass intercepted the beam and was unaffected by it. Froslass' trainer stepped forward with it being a young man with white hair and wore a black golf shirt with grey pants.

"Froslass, chase it away with Ominous Wind."

"Froslass!" Froslass unleashed a dark wind and blasted Cryogonal with it. The power chased Cryogonal away.

"Thank you, Froslass." The young trainer said as he brought Froslass back in her pokeball. He turned to face Rukia and the others. "Are you all unharmed?"

"Yes. Thank you." Rukia said.

"What the heck was with that Cryogonal?" Ichigo asked.

"We're pretty close to a mountain that has snow on it all year. I guess Cryogonal's home was near. It probably felt threatened or something. By the way, my name is Toshiro."

"Toshiro?!" Rukia said as she was completely surprised by just the name. "Are you saying you're actually thee Toshiro, member of the Elite Four and a master of ice-types?!" When they all heard he might be a member of the Elite Four, it was a shock for he seemed a lot younger than them.

"That's right. That's who I am." Toshiro said.

"No way! You're a member of the Elite Four? You look younger than us. You're just a kid." Ichigo said.

"A kid?!" Toshiro said as he found that highly offensive.

"Sorry." Ichigo said.

"Well, I actually am a member of the Elite Four. People say I'm a prodigy." Toshiro said. "Did I hear you say you were trying to catch that Cryogonal?"

"That's right." Rukia said. "Just like you, my favorite type of pokemon are ice-types. That's why I can't let that Cryogonal escape so easily." Rukia didn't wait around as she went after the Cryogonal.

"Rukia, get back here." Ichigo said as he and the others went after her.

"This could be a problem." Toshiro said. He thought for their own good that he goes as well. Once Rukia made up her mind, there was no stopping her.

"Rukia, please wait." Orihime called out.

"Why is it such a big deal for you to catch that Cryogonal?" Ichigo asked as she stopped to talk to them.

"I told you that ice-types are my favorite and Cryogonal are ice-types. Cryogonal itself are also one of my favorites." Rukia said. "What other reason is there?"

"But why do you love ice-types so much?" Ichigo asked.

"Yeah. I remember when we first met you that you did say you love them, but I don't get as to why." Orihime said.

"Here. Let me explain." Rukia said as she took out her sketchbook and her pencils and used drawings to explain. "When I see ice-types, I see them as some of the most beautiful pokemon in the world. You see, my Dewgong was my very first pokemon when it was a Seel. While we played together, I saw how it used its ice-type attacks and I thought it was so beautiful."

"Can I stop you to ask why your drawings are still bad?" Ichigo said, but his response to getting smacked on the head.

"Anyway, my point is that I believe ice-types are some of the most beautiful pokemon in the world and I would love to have some as my friends." Rukia said.

"That doesn't sound like enough of a reason to me." Toshiro said as he caught up to them and stood next to Rukia. "Is there some other reason?" When he asked that, Rukia seemed to be a little closed off.

"There is, but I don't really want to talk about it right now." Rukia said.

"I see. It's a little personal." Toshiro said and just decided to leave it at that. "Very well, but as one ice user to another, here's a little advice. You can't get all frantic like this. Those who specialize in ice-types must be cool and leveled headed like ice itself. Acting the way you are right now is showing you're not very compatible with ice-types."

"I see. Sorry. I just got a little excited is all." Rukia said.

"If you truly wish to capture that Cryogonal, it seems like you're going to need some help." Toshiro said as he walked ahead of them. "Are you coming or not?"

"Oh right! Sorry." Rukia said as she and the others decided to go and follow him. All of them got to work on searching for that Cryogonal, but there didn't seem to be any sign of it.

"Where did it go?" Chad questioned.

"It couldn't have gotten very far." Orihime said.

"Absol!" Absol called out for all of them. All of them looked behind the bushes and they saw Cryogonal was there.

"There it is. Now is my chance." Rukia said and raced out.

"Hold it." Toshiro said, but it was too late as Rukia already stepped out and got Cryogonal's attention.

"Dewgong, let's go!" Rukia said as she called out her partner.

"Dewgong!"

"We're catching that Cryogonal, Dewgong. Now use your Signal Beam." Rukia said. Dewgong formed the beam and shot it out.

"Cryogonal!" Cryogonal countered that attack by firing the blue and green beam.

"That is one strong Aurora Beam." Rukia said. "That isn't going to stop us." Dewgong was prepared to fight again, but Cryogonal attacked first. Cryogonal spun around using Rapid Spin and slammed into Cryogonal. Then, Cryogonal formed golden orbs and shot it out towards Dewgong. All of them flashed and Dewgong was acting loopy.

"What's the matter with Dewgong?" Orihime asked.

"Cryogonal just used Confuse Ray." Chad said. "Dewgong's going to be acting confused until it returns to its senses." Cryogonal used the opportunity to make its escape.

"Dewgong return." Rukia said as she got Dewgong back in its pokeball and felt bad that Cryogonal escaped again.

"I tried to warn you." Toshiro said. "You got too excited when I told you, you need to be calm and level headed."

"I know." Rukia said.

"No you don't. Otherwise you wouldn't have done it." Toshiro said. Rukia felt bad about the whole thing, but she doesn't know what to do.

"If all this is true, how am I going to capture that Cryogonal?" Rukia said.

"Hang on. Who says we can't help?" Ichigo offered. "What if the rest of us cornered Cryogonal? We can also keep it occupied while you keep your emotions in check."

"You guys would really do that?" Rukia asked.

"What are friends for?" Orihime said.

"There certainly is something to be said about someone having such loyal friends." Toshiro said. "So let's get to work on finding that Cryogonal." Ichigo said.

…

Cryogonal

Cryogonal was just floating around by a lake and it was minding its own business.

"Cryogonal!" Cryogonal turned around and saw Ichigo with Absol. "You might have dealt with Rukia and Dewgong, but now you've got me to deal with. Absol use Night Slash."

"Absol!" Absol charged at Cryogonal and slashed against it. Cryogonal was going to make a run for it, but Orihime and Sylveon with Chad and Hawlucha cut it off.

"Sylveon use Quick Attack." Orihime said.

"Hawlucha use Aerial Ace." Chad said.

"Sylveon!"

"Hawlucha!" Both of their pokemon attacked together, but Cryogonal used Rapid Spin to avoid their attacks and slam into them. While they were all battling against Cryogonal, Rukia and Toshiro stayed out of sight.

"Are you ready yet?" Toshiro asked as Rukia was trying to remain calm to face Cryogonal. She took deep breaths to try and keep herself calm.

"I'm ready." Rukia said as she walked out with the others still battling. "Okay. I can take it from here. Go, Dewgong!"

"Dewgong!"

"Dewgong, start out with Brine." Rukia said. Dewgong shot out a stream of water and blasted Cryogonal. "Now use Signal Beam." Dewgong shot out the beam and it headed towards Cryogonal and blasted Cryogonal again.

"Cry!" Cryogonal unleashed an Ice Beam.

"Counter that with Signal Beam again." Rukia said. Dewgong used the attack again and it was able to hold off against the Ice Beam. "Now use Brine." Dewgong shot out the blast of water again and blasted Cryogonal again.

"Now's your chance." Toshiro said.

"Go, pokeball!" Rukia said as she tossed the pokeball and hit Cryogonal. Cryogonal went inside and the ball shook around a little until it stopped and Cryogonal was caught. "It worked!" All of them were thrilled that she caught Cryogonal. "Cryogonal is mine."

"That's great!" Orihime said.

"I knew it would work." Ichigo said.

"Yeah. Cryogonal, come on out." Rukia said as she let it out.

"Cry!"

"I know I caught you under some tough circumstances, but I hope we can be friends." Rukia said.

"You did do well, but now let's see if Cryogonal and you make a great team." Toshiro said. "How about a battle?"

"Seriously? Against you?" Rukia said. Toshiro was serious and Rukia agreed to it. Both of them took their positions with Rukia using Cryogonal.

"Here's my partner." Toshiro said as he let out his pokemon.

"Glalie!"

"Is that a floating face?" Orihime said.

"It's a Glalie." Chad said.

"Okay. Let's see what you're all about Cryogonal." Rukia said. "Cryogonal, start out with Rapid Spin." Cryogonal started spinning around to attack Glalie.

"Counter with Water Pulse." Toshiro said. Glalie formed an orb of water and shot it with it hitting Cryogonal and pushed it back. "Now use Frost Breath."

"Glalie!" Glalie breathed out a sparkling cold wind and Cryogonal got caught in it.

"Don't give up. Cryogonal use Aurora Beam." Rukia said. Cryogonal formed the beam and shot it out with it hitting Glalie.

"Use Water Pulse." Toshiro said.

"Dodge it." Rukia said. Glalie unleashed the water attack again, but Cryogonal was able to float out of the way.

"Now! Glalie use Sheer Cold!" Toshiro said. Glalie focused its cold power and unleashed a cold beam. It blasted Cryogonal and Cryogonal was frozen solid and was no longer able to battle.

"Cryogonal!" Rukia called out as she raced to help it.

"He's really strong." Orihime said.

"More than that. Sheer Cold is an attack that takes the opponent out in one hit if it makes contact." Ichigo said. "It's a dangerous attack. Still, I believe Rukia and Cryogonal are going to be great friends." After Rukia helped out Cryogonal, all of them were getting on the road again.

"You all be careful out there. There are some obstacles that will be tough to get through." Toshiro said.

"Thanks for helping me catch, Cryogonal. It was a pleasure to meet you, Toshiro." Rukia said.

"Take care." Toshiro said as they all hit the road and all of them said their goodbyes.

Rukia has learned more about being an ice-type trainer. She now has a new Cryogonal to show for it. With that, they head out to Kyotsu City so that Ichigo will win his sixth badge.

To Be Continued….