Ichigo and the others were walking through the woods. Rukia was a little nervous to see her brother and return to Sakura City.

"There it is." Rukia said. All of them saw the city and they saw how amazing it looked with cherry blossom trees and peach blossom trees.

Our heroes have finally arrived in Sakura City. Rukia has returned for her brother, Byakuya who is also the gym leader, has issued her a challenge.

"Are you excited?" Ichigo asked.

"I….I guess." Rukia said, but she didn't sound too confident.

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

(Ichigo's voice) Ice-ing on Dragons

All of them were roaming around the city. As they were walking, some people spotted Rukia and they were all happy to see her like she was a big time celebrity.

"What's with all these people?" Ichigo said.

"They're just happy to see me." Rukia said. "My brother is the gym leader and he's considered the strongest gym leader in Unova. That makes me famous through relation. At least that's how it is here. Let's head to head to the pokemon center. Jushiro said he would meet up with us there."

"Do you think you could answer a few questions we have when we're there?" Orihime said.

"Sure. I owe it to you guys." Rukia said.

…

The Pokemon Center

Jushiro was waiting for them at the pokemon center. He heard the door opened up and saw all of them come in.

"I'm glad to see you all made it." Jushiro said. "Are you ready for this, Rukia? Your brother is waiting for you at the gym."

"I don't know." Rukia said. "I never thought I would face my brother so soon and you know how important this would be to me."

"Before we go, could we do a questionnaire? He's a good question to start with." Ichigo said. "What the heck is going on exactly?" The others were just as confused as Ichigo was.

"So you never told them about Byakuya." Ichigo said.

"Rukia, why didn't you tell us your older brother was the gym leader?" Orihime asked.

"It's not like I was trying to hit it or anything." Rukia said. "How are you suppose to bring up the fact that your brother is to be considered the strongest gym leader ever?"

"Is he really that strong?" Ichigo asked.

"Yes." Jushiro said. "Byakuya's specialty is dragon-type pokemon. He is a powerful gym leader. He could even qualify to be one of the Elite Four if he wanted."

"Okay, but that doesn't explain what this has to do with Rukia." Chad said.

"It's a long story you guys." Rukia said. "It goes back for as long as I can remember. Byakuya and I never truly saw eye-to-eye on anything. He was always superior to me in every way. He was always the better trainer, his pokemon were much stronger….."

"I'm guessing in art too." Ichigo whispered, but Rukia heard him and kicked him in the shin. "Why do you always do something like that?" He said as he hopped around.

"Either way, it was never easy living with him." Rukia said. "I guess I should also mention that we come from a wealthy family."

"What?! You're loaded?!" Ichigo said.

"How else do you think we got a member of the Elite Four as my teacher? Besides, it's my brother's money." Rukia said. "By brother grew stronger and stronger and I always felt like I was trapped in his shadow. He never even seemed to fully acknowledge me. So I decided to go on a journey to become stronger. That's part of the reason I got into ice-types. Since my brother specializes with dragon-types, ice-types are strong against dragon-types. I thought if I could beat my brother, he'll finally see how strong I am and maybe…..have some respect for me."

"So is that why you didn't want us to come to Sakura City?" Orihime asked.

"You thought you weren't ready to face your brother." Ichigo said.

"Exactly." Rukia said. "Now, my brother challenged ME to a battle. I'm not sure what that means. I'm not even sure if I'm still ready."

"Rukia, you can't keep avoiding this. If you really want your brother to acknowledge you, you need to take him on." Ichigo said.

"Absol."

"He's right and we'll be there for you." Orihime said and Chad was in agreement with both of them.

"You'll never be ready, Rukia, unless you have the courage to actually take him on." Ichigo said. Rukia saw they were right. She can't keep holding it off.

"Thanks guys." Rukia said.

…..

The Sakura Gym

Rukia and the others went straight for the gym and Rukia wasn't waiting around for anything. She went right to the battlefield and Byakuya was there waiting for her.

"Are you ready?" Byakuya asked.

"I've been waiting for a long time." Rukia said.

"I'll act as referee." Jushiro said. "This will be just a one-on-one battle. The battle will be over when one side can no longer continue. If you both are ready, you can begin."

"Let's go, Altaria!" Byakuya said.

"Altaria!"

'Altaria!' Rukia thought as she knew Altaria very well. 'All of Byakuya's pokemon were beautiful and graceful. Out of all of them, Altaria is that and his most powerful. This won't be easy, but I have to win.' "Cryogonal, I need your help!"

"Cry!"

"This is great. Altaria is a flying-type as well as a dragon-type. An ice-type like Cryogonal has a huge advantage." Ichigo said.

"That's only if Cryogona's ice attacks are to damage Altaria." Chad said.

"So you've caught a few new pokemon. Let's see how it does." Byakuya said. "Altaria, start out with Dragon Dance." Altaria surrounded itself with a pink aura and had power increase.

"What's Dragon Dance?" Orihime asked.

"So Altaria's attack and speed power rose. That won't stop us." Rukia said. "Cryogonal use Aurora Beam."

"Cry!" Cryogonal fired the beam.

"Dodge." Byakuya said and Altaria was able to avoid the attack with such ease. "Now use Round and sing your beautiful face." Altaria unleashed a sound wave in a song and was damaging Cryogonal. "Now use Sky Attack." Altaria was surrounded in a golden aura and slammed against Cryogonal.

"Stay strong, Cryogonal. Now use Rapid Spin." Rukia said. Cryogonal spun around, but Altaria was much faster and avoided Cryogonal.

"Use Sky Attack again." Byakuya said. Altaria flew above Cryogonal and came down in the golden aura again and was able to land another clear hit on Cryogonal and pushed Cryogonal in the ground.

"Are you okay?" Rukia asked and Cryogonal was able to get back up. "Altaria is so fast. We need to do something about it."

"You won't have the chance." Byakuya said. "Altaria use Draco Meteor."

"Altaria!" Altaria was building up power inside its body. Altaria shot up an energy orb and it burst into meteors.

"Cryogonal, you've got to dodge that!" Rukia said as she was starting to freak out. Cryogonal did its best to avoid the attack, but there were meteors everywhere. One managed to land on Cryogonal and did some real damage. Cryogonal took a lot of damage and it wasn't looking good.

"Oh man. Rukia can't get an attack in." Ichigo said.

"And poor Cryogonal has taken so much damage." Orihime said.

"No. Cryogonal." Rukia said.

"So is that the best you can do?" Byakuya said and he sounded disappointed, what Rukia feared. She was beginning to think her journey was for nothing.

"Cry." She was surprised to see Cryogonal was getting back up despite all the damage Cryogonal took.

"Rukia, Cryogonal hasn't given up and neither should you. You should be aware that a pokemon can't battle at full strength without some sort of factor." Byakuya said. "Do you know what that factor is?" Rukia realized what her problem was.

'Of course. I keep doubting myself. A trainer has to be completely focused on the battle and not worry about their doubts.' Rukia thought. "Get up, Cryogonal. I know you can do it."

"Cry." Cryogonal was able to get back up.

"Cryogonal use Blizzard." Rukia said. Cryogonal generated the strong cold force and blasted Altaria hard.

"Altaria, let's use Dragon Dance again." Byakuya said and Altaria was growing in power.

"Use Confuse Ray." Rukia said. Cryogonal generated golden orbs and they shined around Altaria and Altaria was acting confused. "Now give them a taste of your Aurora Beam." Cryogonal launched the beam and blasted Altaria.

"Amazing. Rukia has gotten strong." Jushiro said. Altaria flew out of the smoke and already snapped out of the confusion.

"No. Altaria has already returned to normal." Rukia said.

"Sky Attack and finish this." Byakuya said.

"Altaria!" Altaria flew straight at Cryogonal in the golden aura again. The attack was a good one and this time Cryogonal was not getting back up as it hit the ground.

"Cryogonal is unable to battle. Altaria is the winner. Victory goes to Byakuya." Jushiro said. Rukia brought Cryogonal back to its pokeball and was upset that she lost.

"I must still have a long way to go." Rukia said.

"Rukia…." Byakuya said as he walked over to her and she was afraid of what he say. "….you certainly have much to grow on." That's what Rukia knew what he say. "However, you have become stronger. This journey has done well for you. Cryogonal was able to hold on and despite all the damage it took." Rukia couldn't believe it. That was the first time Byakuya acknowledge anything of her.

"He's right, Rukia." Jushiro said as the others walked towards them. "You should be quite proud of yourself. You did well."

"Thank you." Rukia said as she did feel well about herself.

"Now that we have this all settled, we can get down to our other business." Ichigo said. "Byakuya, we were planning to come here because I want to have a gym battle against you."

"Ichigo, you're still on that?" Rukia said, but Byakuya held up his arm telling her to be silent.

"It's fine." Byakuya said. "As a gym leader, ihave a responsibility to accept all challenges no matter who it is. I accept your challenge."

"Alright. That badge will be mine and I'll be the one to take this guy down." Ichigo said with full belief.

"Absol."

Rukia may have made the right start to have a better relationship with her brother, but that will have to wait for now. Ichigo's chance for a gym battle is coming up. Is he going to earn that final badge? Stay tune.

To Be Continued…..