The Unova League draws closer and closer to the end. Ichigo faces off against Joseph in the semi-finals, but Joseph and his pokemon from Johto have proven to be a tough team. He counters almost everything Ichigo does? Will our hero be able to win and advance to the finals or is it all over?

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) A League of His Own

Joseph's Octillery was using Bullet Seed, but Ichigo's Weavile was using agility to avoid the attacks and got up close to Octillery. When Weavile was close enough, it used Fury Swipes and scratched against Octillery.

"Octillery use Energy Ball." Joseph said. Octillery charged up the attack and blasted Weavile with it with Weavile being pushed back.

"Weavile use Shadow Ball." Ichigo said. Weavile formed the dark orb and gave Octillery a taste of its own medicine.

"Octillery use Octozooka." Joseph said.

"Hurry and use Ice Shard." Ichigo said. Weavile acted faster and formed the shard of ice. Weavile tossed it and it slammed against Octillery's mouth and it was frozen.

"What?!" Joseph said.

"That's an interesting turn of events. Octillery's mouth is frozen." Octillery tried getting its mouth free, but it started to bloat.

"What's happening to Octillery?" Orihime said.

"Its attack was charging. With its mouth sealed like that, the energy has no way of escaping." Rukia said. Octillery couldn't take much more and forced the energy out, but it caused an explosion. When the smoke cleared away, Octillery was unconscious.

"Octillery is unable to battle. Weavile is the winner." The referee said.

"How about that? Octillery was taken down by its own attack. Now Joseph has only two pokemon remaining."

"Donphan, I choose you!" Joseph said.

"Donphan!"

"Joseph's fifth pokemon is Donphan. Can a ground-type take an ice-type?"

"We'll end this in one hit. Weavile use Ice Shard." Ichigo said and Weavile was getting ready to attack.

"I don't think so. Donphan use Sandstorm." Joseph said. Donphan slammed its trunk against the ground and generated a powerful storm. It made it difficult to see anything.

"Donphan's covered the entire field in a storm. How is Ichigo and Weavile going to battle now?"

"Donphan use Rollout." Joseph said. Donphan rolled right at Weavile and knocked Weavile in the air. Donphan came back around and slammed against Weavile again.

"That has got to hurt Weavile. Can Weavile keep going after that? If so, how can Weavile battle through that sandstorm?" Weavile hit the ground hard and barely took serious damage.

"Donphan, finish this with Stone Edge." Joseph said. Donphan stomped on the ground and caused rocks to rise out of the ground and slammed against Weavile. It also caused the storm to disburse and everyone saw the result of the battle.

"Weavile is unable to battle. Donphan is the winner."

"Weavile barely got the chance to battle back." Yuzu said.

"This isn't looking good. What if Ichigo actually loses?" Karin said.

"I'm telling you that he won't. He still has a chance." Orihime said.

"Gallade, you're up next!" Ichigo said.

"Gallade!"

"Ichigo's fifth pokemon is Gallade."

"Gallade is strong, agile, and fast. We've got to strike while we can. Donphan use Rollout." Joseph said and Donphan started rolling.

"Gallade use Leaf Blade." Ichigo said. Gallade used its attack and was able to strike against Donphan easily. Donphan slid against the ground and was defeated after one attack.

"Donphan is unable to battle. Gallade is the winner." The referee said.

"That's it! After just one attack, Joseph is down to just one pokemon now. We all can't wait to see who it is."

"You all don't have to wait for very long." Joseph said as he took out his pokeball. "It all comes down to you. Feraligatr, let's go!"

"Feraligatr!"

"This is it." Ichigo said. "We beat Feraligatr and we're in the finals. Take Feraligatr out in one attack too. Gallade, Leaf Blade!" Gallade charged right at Feraligatr to end the battle here and now.

"I don't think so. Feraligatr use Hydro Pump." Joseph said. Feraligatr unleashed a blast high pressured water and was pushing Gallade back. "Now use Ice Fang." Feraligatr went for an opening and opened up its jaws and chomped on Gallade with ice freezing over Gallade.

"Gallade use Close Combat." Ichigo said. Gallade broke free and beat Feraligatr around.

"This battle is just starting, but it's already getting intense."

"Now push Feraligatr back with Psychic." Ichigo said. Gallade used its mind and pushed Feraligatr back.

"Aqua Tail!" Joseph said. Feraligatr generated water from its tail and slammed it against Gallade. "Now use Ice Fang again." Feraligatr went in for another bite out of Gallade.

"Gallde use Vacuum Wave." Ichigo said. Gallade formed the attack and shot it out with Feraligatr taking some damage. "We have to end this now. Gallde use Leaf Blade." Gallade charged in and was setting on ending the battle now.

"Trip them up with Aqua Tail." Joseph said. Feraligatr used the water from its tail again and swung it at Gallade's legs. Gallade tripped up and was in some trouble. "Feraligatr use Crunch." Feraligatr opened its mouth and crunched down on Gallade and did some massive damage.

"Gallade!" Ichigo called out and he was afraid it was the end. He was right as Gallade dropped to the ground.

"Gallade is unable to battle. Feraligatr is the winner." The referee said.

"It's all tied up this time with both sides only having one pokemon left." Ichigo brought Gallade back and was starting to get anxious.

"It's all up to you now, Absol." Ichigo said.

"Absol." Absol understood the situation and went out on the battlefield. This was the final battle now.

"Absol use Night Slash." Ichigo said.

"Feraligatr use Ice Fang." Joseph said. The two of them charged right at each other. Absol tried swinging his horn, but Feraligatr caught it with its teeth. Feraligatr thrashed Absol around and tossed him aside.

"Absol use Razor Wind." Ichigo said. Absol prepped his attack and shot it out and Feraligatr got hit hard from the attack.

"You need more than that to beat my Feraligatr." Joseph said. "Feraligatr use Aqua Tail." Feraligatr swung its tail and released all that water with Absol getting hit by the attack. "Now use Hydro Pump."

"Feraligatr!" Feraligatr unleashed that powerful attack and blasted Absol right into the wall.

"Absol, can you keep going?" Ichigo asked. Absol was able to get back on its feet and walked on the field.

"What gives, Ichigo? I thought you would have Absol mega evolve by now." Joseph said.

"Not my style if my opponent can't mega evolve. I'll beat you without it." Ichigo said. "Absol use Dark Pulse."

"Hydro Pump again." Joseph said. Both of them unleashed their most powerful attacks and caused a powerful explosion when they collided.

"These two are giving off great power. There's no way of knowing who is going to win."

"Absol use Razor Wind." Ichigo said. Absol pulled his head back and unleashed the full power of the attack. Feraligatr got hit and it did some damage, but not enough to end the battle.

"Feraligatr use Crunch." Joseph said.

"Absol use Night Slash." Ichigo said. The two of them went to attack and the collision was the same as when this battle started. "Now use Dark Pulse!"

"Hydro Pump one last time!" Joseph said. Both of them used their most powerful attacks when they were so close to each other and it caused a fierce explosion.

"Oh my goodness! What power they both have. Who could walk away from that?" The smoke cleared away and saw both of them were knocked to the ground and were trying to get back up.

"Get up, Absol. You can do it." Ichigo said.

"Feraligatr, stand up." Joseph said. Both trainers were encouraging their pokemon to stand and they both kept trying.

"Absol, you have to stand up!" Orihime cheered as Ichigo's friends tried to help them.

"Stand up!" Rukia said.

"You can do it!" Chad said.

"Get up!" Karin said.

"We all believe in you!" Yuzu said. Both Absol and Feraligatr were able to get on their feet, but it looked like one was about to collapse again. All of them wondered who until…..Absol was the one to drop and it shocked everyone.

"Absol is unable to battle. Feraligatr is the winner. Victory goes to Joseph." The referee said.

"That's it. After a fierce battle, Joseph is advancing to the final round." Ichigo is shocked that all six of his pokemon were defeated and his time in the Unova League ended. Ichigo walked over to Absol and helped him stand.

"You okay?" Ichigo asked, but Absol seemed disappointed that he let Ichigo down.

"It's fine. I guess you can't win them all." Ichigo said, but he sounded disappointed in himself secretly.

…

The Finals

Even though Ichigo lost, the Unova League had to continue. Joseph was in a fierce battle for the winning position, but he was able to pull through as Feraligatr beat a Golisopod.

"Golisopod is unable to battle. Feraligatr is the winner. Victory goes to Joseph." Everyone cheered for Joseph as he was declared the winner.

"Joseph wins! After all those long fought battles, Joseph is the one that emerges the winner." Joseph waved to the crowd and everyone was thrilled a winner has been made. Everyone gathered for the closing ceremony as Joseph was being rewarded his trophy. "Congratulations to Joseph for winning and to all who made this a great Unova League. We thank you all for joining us and can't wait for next year."

…..

Ichigo

The next day, the arena was cleared out. Ichigo and Absol stood at the top of a hill and looked down at the arena and was glad he was part of such a competition.

"Reminiscing already?" Uryu asked as he came up to Ichigo. Ichigo wasn't sure what to say. "It's okay, I often do the same myself." He joined Ichigo in looking down at the arena. "It was an amazing league, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. I'm glad I got be a part of it." Ichigo said.

"I'm glad I was here." Joseph said as he walked up to them.

"Hey, Joseph. Congrats again on winning. I'm glad that you did." Ichigo said.

"Thanks. Ichigo, you certainly have a lot of potential." Joseph said. "I think you make a great pokemon trainer. So why don't you head over to Johto for you next adventure?"

"The Johto region?" Ichigo questioned.

"We do have our own gyms, pokemon league, and Elite Four." Joseph said. "Think about it. It was great meeting you guys." Joseph took off with him taking his victory.

"I should be going myself." Uryu said and held out his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ichigo." Ichigo gladly accepted the hand and placed his own in it.

"Same here, Uryu. Take care." Ichigo said. Uryu left and ended the rivalry between him and Ichigo with it.

"What a journey! Right, Absol?" Ichigo asked.

"Absol." The two of them thought back to all that they've been through. They started with heartache, they've made great friends, faced many challenges, obtain great rivals, and it all lead up to this very moment. He looked up to the sky thinking of the one person that started it all.

"Mom, I know I didn't win, but I hope you're proud of how far I did come." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo!" Ichigo and Absol turned around and saw his friends with his family.

"Let's go! It's time to head home!" Orihime said. Ichigo smiled as he was glad for going on this journey.

"Yeah!" Ichigo said as he and Absol ran to them.

Ichigo's time in the Unova League might have ended, but when one journey ends, another might begin. So now, we all wonder what could be next for Ichigo. Stay tune for those answers.

To Be Continued….