The Ultimate Talent Star has been a success so far. Orihime battled against Momo and was able to win the battle. Ichigo even managed to capture Weavile as well. Now, Orihime must battle her longtime rival: Rangiku. Has Orihime learned enough to prevail in such a fierce battle? We're about to find out.

Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh
I'm unbeatable
Walking down this endless highway
With nothing but my friends beside me
We'll never give in, we'll never rest
Advanced Battle is the ultimate test
From the earth, the land
The sea and sky
They can never win, but they sure can try
Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh
I'm unbeatable
Pokémon
(Advanced Battle!)
Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh
I'm undefeatable
From the stars and the ancient past
They come to play, but they'll never last
Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh
I'm unbeatable
Pokémon
(Advanced Battle!)
Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh
I'm undefeatable
Oh oh oh
(Advanced Battle!)
I'm unbeatable
Pokémon

(Orihime's voice) Closing the Show

The second round of the Ultimate Talent Star battle stage went on and there was some fierce battles going on. Orihime was getting anxious because her battle was coming up and she was against Rangiku.

"Everything okay?" Orihime looked up and saw Momo in her casual clothes.

"Momo?" Orihime said.

"Are you nervous about battling Rangiku?" Momo asked.

"Yeah. She was my opponent in the first talent star I've ever competed." Orihime said. "She helped me out. I still have the necklace she gave me when we first met. This is going to be the hardest battle I've had so far."

"Don't worry about it." Momo said. "Just go out there and battled like you always have before. This is your chance to see how far you came and I know you'll do great." Orihime had her confidence restored a little from hearing that, but this still won't be an easy battle.

…..

The Battlefield

"It's now time for our next battle." Varon said. "We have Orihime going against Rangiku." The two came out and were ready for this battle.

"Go, Orihime. Knock her pokemon out." Ichigo said.

"If you win, you'll be in the quarter-finals and another step closer." Rukia said.

"I remember seeing these two battled against each other before. I can't wait to see how this one turns out." Varon said. "We're all set. We're just waiting for these two lovely ladies."

"Sylveon and Azumarill, you're up!" Orihime said.

"Sylveon!"

"Azumarill!"

"Delcatty and Salazzle, let's do this!" Rangiku said.

"Delcatty!"

"Salazzle!"

"Salazzle? That Salandit she had must have evolved." Rukia said. "This is bad. Poison-types are strong against fairy-types and that's just what Sylveon and Azumarill are."

"But Salazzle is also a fire-type. If Azumarill can get a few water-types moves in, all should be fine." Ichigo said.

"We better strike now. Azumarill use Bubble Beam on Salazzle." Orihime said and Azumarill was getting ready to attack.

"Delcatty use Fake Out." Rangiku said. Delcatty leaped over to Azumarill and clapped. It unleashed a sound wave that stopped Azumarill from attacking.

"Nice move by Rangiku. Fake Out scares a pokemon from attacking." Varon said.

"Sorry, Orihime. I'm not going easy on you. I'm in it to win it." Rangiku said. "Salazzle use Double Slap on Azumarill and Delcatty use Zen Headbutt on Sylveon." Salazzle went up to Azumarill and slapped Azumarill around. Delcatty's head glowed blue and slammed against Sylveon.

"Azumarill use Water Gun and Sylveon use Moonblast." Orihime said. Azumarill and Sylveon used their attacks and they were coming in fast.

"Salazzle use Fire Blast." Rangiku said. Salazzle unleashed a powerful flame that split five ways and was able to block the attacks.

"Impressive. Rangiku used a powerful attack to block two strong attacks." Varon said.

"Now Delcatty use Charge Beam and Salazzle use Heat Wave." Rangiku said. Delcatty charged an electrical beam and Salazzle slammed its paws against the ground and created a heated gust of wind. Both of them got hit by the attacks and knocked down.

"No. Are you two okay?" Orihime said as the two of them tried to get back up.

"This isn't looking good." Chad said.

"Rangiku has complete control over this battle." Rukia said. "She doesn't just have the advantage, but it's like she knows what Orihime is going to do. Rangiku must have studied up from watching all of Orihime's battles."

"While all of the opposite is for Orihime, but we can't lose faith in her." Ichigo said.

"Salazzle use Sludge Wave." Rangiku said. Salazzle had poisonous sludge form around her and unleashed it as a wave.

"Dodge it, both of you." Orihime said. Both Sylveon and Azumarill ran off to the sides to try and avoid the poison, but they werent' fast enough and the wave splashed over both of them.

"Oh my! That has to hurt." Varon said. Both of them were badly damaged and were having trouble getting back up.

"Sorry, Orihime. I'm afraid this is the end." Rangiku said. "Now use Double Slap and Zen Headbutt." Both of her pokemon went on the attack to finish this and her friends thought it was over.

"Now, Sylveon!" Orihime called out. Sylveon was able to push herself and was able to tie her ribbons around Delcatty and trip Delcatty up.

"What's this?" Varon said as they were all surprised they both still had strength to keep fighting.

"Now use Fairy Wind." Orihime said. Sylveon twirled her ribbons around unleashed the sparkling wind with Delcatty getting caught in it. Delcatty was thrown right against Salazzle and they both got hit. "Azumarill use Blizzard." Azumarill unleashed the cold attack and caught both of them in it with both of them freezing. "Sylveon use Moonblast." Sylveon formed the pink orb and shot it with the ice breaking and both of them taking damage.

"What a comeback by Orihime." Varon said.

"Whoa. I wasn't seeing that coming. Orihime has come a long way since the last time we battled." Rangiku said and admired how strong she's become. Delcatty and Salazzle got back up for they could still battle as well.

"Azumarill use Water Gun." Orihime said and Azumarill shot out the water.

"Salazzle use Fire Blast." Rangiku said. Salazzle unleashed the flames again and the collision of the two attacks caused steam to form and covered the field.

"I can't see." Orihime said.

"Now use Charge Beam and Heat Wave." Rangiku said. Orihime saw the two attacks were blasted out through the steam and Sylveon and Azumarill got hit hard. A small explosion went off and Orihime was worried about the outcome. When the smoke cleared away, both of her pokemon were beaten.

"That's the end. Sylveon and Azumarill are no longer able to battle. That means Rangiku wins." Varon said. People cheered for her and Orihime was crushed. She walked over to her pokemon and helped them up.

"Sylveon and Azumarill, thank you for trying so hard." Orihime said as she tried to put on a brave face for them. When the battle ended, Orihime was on her way out.

"Orihime." She looked up and saw Ichigo standing in front of her with Chad and Rukia not far behind.

"We're sorry you lost." Chad said.

"You did your best. You should be proud of how far you came." Rukia said.

"They're right." Ichigo said. "You were amazing out there. Sylveon and Azumarill battled so hard. That shows how well of job you did taking care of them."

"You're….right." Orihime said and she couldn't hold it back anymore as she let the tears fall from the defeat and all the trouble she went through. She cried right in Ichigo's chest and he wasn't sure what to do. So he just wrapped his arms around her with Rukia and Chad placing their hands on her shoulders.

….

A Couple Days Later

Even though Orihime was beaten, the Ultimate Talent Star continued on. Rangiku made it all the way to the semi-finals, but her opponent was Yumichika and she wasn't doing well. Orihime and the others were finding it hard to believe she was being pushed back so much. It was her Delcatty and Butterfree against his Golduck and Serperior.

"This is one intense battle, but Rangiku seems to be struggling hard." Varon said.

"Delcatty use Disarming Voice and Butterfree use Psybeam." Rangiku said. Both her pokemon used their attacks, but Yumichika didn't seem worried.

"Golduck use Protect." Yumichika said. Golduck formed a barrier and was able to stop the two attacks. "Golduck use Hyper Beam and Serperior use Leaf Storm." Both of Yumichika's pokemon used those powerful attacks. Butterfree got hit by the Hyper Beam and Delcatty was hit by Leaf Storm. They couldn't hold on any longer and both of them were defeated.

"That's it. Delcatty and Butterfree can no longer continue. So Yumichika will be advancing to the final round." Varon said. People cheered for him, but Rangiku wasn't as upset as Orihime was. She bowed out of respect to Yumichika and accepted her lost.

"Wow. Not even Rangiku could win." Orihime said.

"That Yumichika guy truly knows how to bring out the best of his pokemon." Rukia said. Yumichika battled hard and he defeated his final opponent and ended up winning it all.

"Congratulations to Yumichika for winning the Ultimate Talent Star." Varon said as the tournament ended and Yumichika being given his reward. He was rewarded with a trophy and a bright white sash. Everyone was really happy for him and his victory. "We've had a splendid time here and for that we like to invite all of you to join us in celebration."

…

The Party

A five-star party was being held for such an amazing Ultimate Talent Star and Yumichika's victory. As the party went on, Orihime and Rangiku were enjoying the sunset on the roof.

"I really thought you would win it all." Orihime said.

"I'm not unbeatable. It just goes to show that we both still have a long way to go." Rangiku said. "So what's next for you?"

"I don't know. Right now, I'm going to the Unova League to cheer for Ichigo." Orihime said.

"I must admit that I'm a little disappointed." Both of them were surprised as they turned around and saw Yumichika.

"Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop? What are you doing here?" Rangiku asked.

"I just came to talk to Orihime." Yumichika said as he walked over to her. "I'm a little upset that I didn't get the chance to battle you. You truly do have a lot of potential. I do hope we get to battle one day." He said as he held out his hand. Orihime couldn't believe the one who won would want to battle her.

"Yeah!" Orihime said as she shook that hand. Orihime was looking forward to that day as Yumichika went back inside. When he left, Ichigo and the others showed up.

"There you are." Ichigo said.

"You two doing okay?" Rukia said.

"We're fine. So Ichigo, you heading for the Unova League?" Rangiku asked.

"Not yet. I just need one more badge and I'm going to Sakura City for it." Ichigo said and Rukia was getting nervous.

"I know you'll win that one." Orihime said and Ichigo knew too.

The Ultimate Talent Star may have ended with Orihime beding defeated, but our heroes are looking forward. Next stop is Ichigo's gym battle and then the Unova League….as the journey continues.

To Be Continued….