"So what's next?" Ichigo said as he and Absol laid on the grass and stared at the sky. Both of them wondering what could be next for them.

The Unova League has gone and passed. With it all over, Ichigo has returned to Karakura Town with his friends and family and parted his ways with his rivals. Since it also ended, Ichigo isn't sure what he should do now.

"I don't suppose you have any ideas, do you?" Ichigo asked.

"Absol." Absol didn't seem to have a clue.

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) One Ends, Another Begins

Back at Ichigo's house, Orihime was helping Yuzu around with some house chores. Since the Unova League ended, the three of them have been staying with Ichigo and his family.

"Thanks for helping me, Orihime." Yuzu said.

"My pleasure. It's the least I could do since you're letting us stay here." Orihime said.

"We're really sorry if we're taking up your home like this." Rukia said. "I suppose we all haven't really discussed what we were all going to do when our adventure came to an end."

"Nonsense. It's nice to have some company around here. Especially since they're two cute girls." Isshin said.

"Shut up." Karin said as she kicked him in the leg. "You probably should watch what you say."

"So what are we going to do? It's been a few days since the Unova League ended." Orihime said.

"If we can't think of anything….maybe we should all go our separate ways." Chad said, but Orihime wasn't liking that idea at all.

"I suppose Chad is right. Our journey is over and it doesn't seem like any of us have any other plans." Rukia said.

'But….I'm not ready to say goodbye to everyone.' Orihim thought.

….

Ichigo

"To think it all really happened." Ichigo said. "We were able to obtain all eight badges and enter the Unova League. Now it's all over. I never thought what I would do after it was all over."

"Absol."

"Do you think I should take Joseph's advice?" Ichigo asked. "Do you think we should head for the Johto Region?" When the Unova League ended, Joseph suggested that Ichigo tries going for Johto and take the pokemon league that happens there. "Do you think we should go? How could I go that far from my family? What about the others? Would they even want to go?"

"Absol." Absol stood up and stared down at Ichigo. Ichigo had the feeling Absol was trying to tell him something, but he doesn't know.

"Sometimes I wish you could actually talk and tell me what to do." Ichigo said.

…

Orihime

Orihime stepped outside of the house to get some air. She was upset about the thought of splitting up with her friends when she didn't want them too.

"There you are." She looked to see the front door open and saw Rukia was standing there.

"Hi, Rukia." Orihime said.

"What are you doing out here? Is everything okay?" Rukia asked.

"Yeah. Everything is just….fine." Orihime said as she tried to put on a brave face.

"Orihime, I can tell when something is bothering you. You're a little terrible at hiding that kind of stuff." Rukia said. "You might as well come out with it. What's bothering you?" Orihime figured there was no way around it.

"Rukia, I don't want us to go our separate ways yet." Orihime said as she sat on the ground. "We all had so much fun together. I'm not ready for that all to end."

"I get it." Rukia said as she helped Orihime stand back up. "Truth is, I'm not ready either, but we're not being fair to Ichigo's family by staying around here. I know it must be hard, but this kind of stuff was bound to happen eventually." None of this was making Orihime feel better. "That doesn't mean the friendship has to end. We'll be friends no matter how far apart we are."

"You promise?" Orihime asked.

"I promise." Rukia said. Orihime liked that they would always be friends, but she still wishes they can all stay together.

…

Ichigo

"Man. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I'm not sure if I can even go to Johto and leave my family behind." Ichigo said and was leaning towards the idea to stay here until the next Unova League.

"Absol!" Absol bit down on Ichigo's leg and he was wincing around in pain as Ichigo tried to shake him off until Absol finally let go.

"Absol! What was that for? What's the matter with you?" Ichigo said.

"Absol." Absol looked down at his pendent with his mega stone inside it. Ichigo wondered what Absol was trying to tell him, but it didn't take long for him to figure it out.

"I get it." Ichigo said. "Dad gave us these stones and encouraged us to go on our journey in the first place after we lost my mother. Mom wanted me to become a powerful trainer to begin with. That's why she gave me you. They would want us to go. Thanks, Absol." He said as he petted Absol's head. "You might be a painful one, but you're a real friend."

"Absol." Absol was happy to see his trainer thinking with a clear head and remembering why he travels.

…

Ichigo's House

Ichigo returned home where everyone else was and waiting for him.

"There you are, Ichigo. Where have you been all day?" Karin asked.

"Just needed to do some thinking and I've decided on something." Ichigo said. "I think I'm going to go to the Johto region and continue my journey there."

"What?! You're going to Johto?!" Yuzu said.

"What made you decide something like that?" Chad asked.

"It was something Joseph said." Ichigo said. "He thinks I should go for it since there's their own pokemon league and probably tons of pokemon I've never seen before."

"But it's so far from home." Yuzu said.

"I know, but that's what part of being on a journey does. It might take you far from home, but you go for it." Ichigo said. "I've decided that I'm getting the next plane I can to Johto. Chad, Rukia, and Orihime? What about the rest of you? Do you guys want to come?"

"Are you serious? You want us to join you?" Rukia asked.

"Why not. We've all been through so much together already." Ichigo said. "So what do you guys say? Are you all in?"

"I'm in." Chad said. "I've got no reason why I can't go."

"I'm in too. I don't really want to head home until I'm ready to face my brother again." Rukia said.

"Orihime, what about you?" Ichigo asked.

"Orihime, I heard that Pokemon Talent Star is moving to Johto." Isshin said.

"It is?! Great! I'm in." Orihime said and they were all happy she was coming too. 'I would have went if there was or not.'

"Just one more thing." Ichigo said as he took out all his pokeballs and placed them on the table. "Other than Absol, I'm leaving all my other pokemon here."

"You are? How come?" Yuzu asked.

"I want to start out fresh." Ichigo said. "Besides, it will be like I'm still here. I'm sure you guys can find some way to have them help out and I know they will love to help you."

"Thank you, Ichigo. I'm sure your mother would be very proud of you." Isshin said and Ichigo would think so too.

…..

Team Transcendent

Team Transcendent hasn't been active for a while. The times they were active, they stole three plates of the power of steel, psychic, and dragon. He and his two commanders, Gin and Kaname, entered a vault where they kept them safe.

"All three are accounted for." Gin said.

"Aizen, is it time for us to move to the second step of our plans?" Kaname asked.

"That's right." Aizen said. "We have one part of our ultimate goal obtained. The time has come for us to move to the second phase. We are heading to Johto." Team Transcendent will continue to bring mayhem and not knowing Ichigo and his friends will be there to do their best to stop them.

….

The Next Day

Ichigo with his friends and family headed to the harbor and board a plane that takes off from the water. Ichigo's family with all his pokemon were seeing him off.

"Ichigo, be careful out there and promise to call." Yuzu said.

"Don't worry. We'll be safe." Ichigo said and turned to his pokemon. "I know all five of you want to come, but I think it would be better if you all stay here. If I need any of you, I'll let you know." All five of them were sorry to see him go, but they understood.

"We better get going." Rukia said.

"Thanks for everything." Orihime said. All of them got onboard the plane and were all set to head to the new region. The plane started up and took off with Ichigo's family and his pokemon waving farewell.

"I can't believe we're actually heading to a different region." Orihime said.

"It will be exciting to see what's out there." Rukia said and Chad nodded his head in agreement.

"Just you wait guys. We're on our way to a new journey." Ichigo said.

One journey ends and another one begins. This isn't the end of our heroes' journey. Now, they head to Johto for brand new adventures and brand new challenges…..as the journey continues.

Next Time: A New Adventure