“Hello and welcome to the wide world of Poke’mon”. Just a little disclaimer here: while Poke’mon, Ruroni Kenshin, and their characters aren’t copyrighted to me, characters such as “Landon” and “Zeru” are. In this story, you’ll join our young hero, Landon, in his epic and unusual journey in the world of Poke’mon. Equipped with a magical bell, he and his friends must stare down the face of evil, win every challenge, make new friends, and claw their way to the top. But can they stop the ultimate evil that threatens their world? There are many twists and surprises, so you have to keep reading if you really want to “Catch ‘em all!” in:

                                     

                             Poke’mon X

 

 

 

       “About time!” May, Landon, and Zeru gave a relieved smile at the sight before them. The winding and twisting forest had finally ended and they stood before yet another town. It was nice to see houses and roads again instead of trees and dirt paths again. The fresh smell of food drifted along the air, arousing their growling stomachs. (After a week of traveling, our heroes finally make it to Zakuden Town. Even though Petalburg Forest is just behind them, are Landon and his friends out of the woods yet?)

       Landon patted his khaki pants, which were now covered with dirt and dust. I can’t wait to get to the Poke’mon center; I need to wash my clothes.” He said. The three passed the line that separated the forest from Zakuden Town and started down the sidewalk. “There should be a Poke’mon center around here somewhere. We could call Professor Birch there while we’re at it.” Zeru said. “That’s a good idea. I have to send him the data in my Poke’dex anyway.” Landon added. May was too busy reading the Poke’mon guide book to engage in their conversation. “…well that’s strange.” She looked up and started gazing around the sky blue houses and white fences. The sun in the cloudless sky reflected its rays off of the town’s colors and made it brighter than it really was. All of the people were a hustle and bustle of Poke’mon talk. Landon had to resist the urge of Poke’dexing the many different Poke’mon that caught his eyes. “Where could they be?” May flipped through the pages of the book again. “Don’t tell me you’re still looking at that map?” Zeru leaned over nosily and peaked down at the Poke’mon Guide Book. “Look, Zakuden is supposed to be the own of flowers and pleasant smells, but I don’t see any at all.” May said, “Gimme’ that,” “Hey!” Zeru swiped the book out of her hand and looked at it. “That’s because we’re not in the town square. Learn to read in full detail before you go blabbing off.” “I was getting to that part!” May said through clenched teeth, blushing. Landon sweated anime style and glanced back at them, hoping another fight wouldn’t break out. “Oh, look; there’s the Poke’mon Center.” He said hastily and pointed out in front.

 

                           Theme Song: Pocket Monsters X(treme)

Running at

The speed of sound

What adventures can be found?

Traveling the world all around

As fate just spins it upside-down

Little monsters

Everywhere

Find a knew one and I’m there

Victory is just for fun

There’s no stoppin’ till I’m number one

 

Crys-tal,

Clear, and Shadow

Three lights—

That fight the way

Protect those legendary

Is my destiny!

 

Poke’mon X

(Poke’mon X)

Leading the way

Is my sweet victory

Poke’mon X

(Poke’mon X)

A mystery

Behind each one we see



Poke’—mon X

(Ex—Ex)

This journey I’ll run

Has only begun!!

 

                    Episode 10: “The More, The Scarier”

 

       The dome-shaped, red-roofed Poke’mon center stood out like a sore thumb at the edge of sidewalk. “C’mon, Toya, I’ll race you to the Poke’mon center.” Landon said to his Poke’mon. “Mud-mudkip!” Toya leapt off his shoulder and the two started to sprint down the sidewalk. As he ran, something on a lamppost caught his attention. A poster had the words “wanted” typed at the top, succeeded by a photograph. The boy looked just a little bit older than fifteen years. His face complimented his strong red eyes. What caught Landon’s attention the most was the outfit he was wearing; the boy had on a red shirt with some kind of horned head. In the middle of the shirt was the shadow of a mountain. The ensemble was completed with black pants and matching shoes and gloves to boot. “A reward for that guy’s capture? I wonder how much…” Landon thought to himself.

 
      
       Toya was the first to reach the Poke’mon center door, followed by Landon, May, and Zeru. Landon and Toya were fine, but May and Zeru were panting from the run. “That was a good one, Toya….hey, what’s wrong with you guys?” Landon turned to them. “The next time you two decide to race, warn us okay?” May panted. They pushed through the doors of the Poke’mon center and walked inside. “Hey! You’re the nurse from Petalburg City, right?” Landon ran up to the counter. He didn’t even take the time to notice all the people chatting around him in the building. The lady at the counter looked exactly like the pink-haired nurse from the other center. “How did you get through Petalburg Woods so fast?” Did you take a short cut?” “I’m sorry, but I haven’t left this Poke’mon center for ages.” The Nurse replied. “But that’s impossible; I just saw you back in Petalburg.” Landon pointed out. “Oh, then you must be an acquaintance of my cousin.” “Your cousin?” He blinked. “I take it you’re a beginning trainer? It just so happens that I keep a very special picture for trainers like you.” The nuse reached under the counter and pulled out a photograph. “So, it’s a photograph…—!?” “Hey, what’s up with that?” May stepped up and looked at it too. “They all look the same—just like you!” Landon gazed at each of the posing nurses. “Yup, that’s my family portrait. There’s some weird gene that causes us all to look alike.” Nurse Joy told the two. “I understand you looking alike, but what does that have to do with—” “Don’t even go there, Zeru.” May stopped Zeru before he could crack a joke. “How about I heal your Poke’mon for you?” Nurse Joy asked, sweating anime style. “Sure,” The three kids handed Joy their poke’balls (and Toya) and left from the counter. Landon pinched his pants and shirt with a look of disgust.  “I’ll meet you two later; I’m going to go wash my clothes.” He told his friends. “We’ll wait for you in the lobby.” “Yeah, be ready to call Professor Birch when you get back.” May and Zeru told him. He nodded and started towards the trainer maintenance hall. While he walked, his eyes once again fell on another wanted poster. “I wonder who that guy could be.” He thought to himself before disappearing in the hall. “May, Landon’s first gym match is coming up.” Zeru said to May once they sat down. “And? What’s wrong?” May asked him. “Well, as strong ass he may seem—even with his EX—he still isn’t ready for a gym leader.” “You may be right, but I’ve lived next to Landon since we were seven and I’ve seen him do some amazing things.” She said. “Let’s just hope he can produce another amazing feat when we get to Rustborro.” Zeru folded his arms.

 

       Just like he said, Landon came out soon with his outfit freshly cleaned. He felt happy to be smudge and dirt free; he even polished the Crystal Bell to perfection. “Now all I have to do is get my Poke’mon and find something to eat!” Landon walked over to his friends. “Great, Nurse Joy should be done now.” May and Zeru stood up. “Before we leave, we need to phone Professor Birch and tell him where we are.” Zeru added. The three grabbed their backpacks and walked up to the front counter. “Hi there,” Nurse Joy smiled to them. “Your Poke’mon are ready for you.” She moved over to the side counter and picked up a yellow tray. Toya was sitting on it beside three other poke’balls. “Mudkip, Mudkip!” She smiled and leapt onto her trainer’s shoulder. “Thanks, Nurse Joy.” Landon said and took his Poke’mon back. Zeru and May did the same. The three then stepped over to the video phone next to the counter. Landon picked up the receiver and dialed Professor Birch’s lab number. On the video screen, a picture of a Pikachu carrying a letter appeared as a screen saver for the dial tone. There was a beep and Professor Birch’s face popped up on the screen. “Hello, Professor Birch,” The three said. “It’s about time you three called me; I was beginning to think you forgot.” Professor Birch smiled to them. “W called so you could check our Poke’dexes.” Zeru told him. “Good, good; just stick your Poke’dexes in the slot by the phone.” “Uh…” Landon’s eyes wandered around the phone booth until they fell on a slender rectangular opening at the base. “This must be it.” Still holding the receiver to his ear, he fumbled into his pocket and pulled out his Poke’dex; once inserted into the slot, there was a series of clicks and beeps. “I’m downloading the information right now. In the meantime, where are you three?” “We’re in Zakuden Town, Dad.” May said to Professor Birch. “Zakuden Town? You’re almost to Rustborro and your first gym match.” He said. “That’s right,” Landon grinned and held his fist up, “I’m ready to wipe the floor with that gym leader!” “A bit sure of yourself, aren’t you?” Professor Birch gave a chuckle, “While I’m pretty sure you can overcome any obstacle in your path, keep in mind that gym trainers are a lot tougher than your average Joe.” “You worry too much, Professor—” There was a loud beep that cut Landon’s voice off. “Oh, that must mean the downloading is done.” Professor Birch said and Landon pulled his Poke’dex out. “Well, I have to go, guys. Have fun and call soon.” With that, he hung up and the screen went black. “Now that that’s all said and done, let’s get something to eat!” Landon hung up and started for the door. “Is that all you think about?” May gave an irritated growl. At least he could’ve gone to the store with her or something. But no; he and Zeru only cared about their empty gut. She figured it was her punishment for hanging out with boys instead of girls. Landon pushed through the Poke’mon center doors and raced out.

 

       The beautiful town square was a hustle and bustle of activity and people. What really made it colorful was the elegant alignment of different flowers. Each stand and each block was littered with some sort of colored plant. However, even though the chatting was loud, Landon’s crunching broke through it all with each rice cracker he ate. “Eck! Landon, do you have to crunch so darn loud?” Zeru covered his ears angrily. Landon didn’t reply back, but kept eating. May was too busy admiring the different kinds of products people were selling: “Flower portraits, come get your flower portraits!” or “Come get your exotic perfumes and cologne—specially imported from Anna’s Shack!” or “Have an ailment? Have some of Anna’s Herbal cures.” Or even, “Come get your poke’flutes. We sell flutes of all kinds!” “Huh?” Landon glanced to the side at a stand with a dozen different kinds of flutes. From glass, to marble, to wood, each flute looked uniquely different. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, he pulled away from his group and started over to the stand. “What kinds of poke’flutes are they?” Landon asked the vendor. The man looked up at him and tightened his white headband. “Are you a customer?” He asked a little eagerly. “Uh…I think so.” “Mudkip,” Landon and Toya said. “Finally, someone who will buy my merchandise!” The vendor almost burst into tears, “Please tell me you’ll buy one—two—or even three!—” (Landon sweats anime style) “—I’ve gotten these all the way from Fallabor Town and not one person in this town wants one.” “What do they do, anyway?” Landon asked him. “Well, just pick one that looks good and I’ll tell you.” The vendor replied to him. “Hmmm….” Landon looked from flute to flute. He really liked the red one made of glass, but the marble one was even more tempting. “Which one should I chose, Toya?” “Mudkip!” Toya pointed to the marble one. “Okay, how about that one right there that my Mudkip is pointing to?” Landon asked. “Ah, this particular flute, when played right, can attract wild Poke’mon within a thirty yard radius. I’ll not only give you the flute, but a complete set of playing instructions, tuner, cleaning kit, and an instructional video all for the incredibly low price of fifteen hundred dollars.” “Eck!” Landon blinked, but the vendor grinned. “Sorry; I can’t afford this.” Landon started to back away slowly, sweating anime style. He didn’t have the money to buy all that—he barely had enough to go on as it was! Toya grabbed a rice cracker from her trainer and started crunching on it. “Hey, wait—come back! How about twelve hundred?” “See ya’!” He shouted towards the vendor as he started to run away. “Okay—a thousand and no less!” “Forget about it!” Landon shouted and hurried off.

       It wasn’t long before Landon ran into his friends again. He saw May trying to drag Zeru into a photo booth. “C’mon, Zeru, just one photo—it’s only one!” May said as she nudged a resisting Zeru into the booth. “May, stop it! I’m serious; photo’s don’t like me and I don’t like them!” Zeru shouted. “Hey, guys, I—whaa!” “Excuse us, sir.” Just before Landon could go over to them, a group of police officers—all of which looked the same—dashed by him. One of them bumped into him and they fell to the ground. “Ooohaa…oh—Toya, where are you?!” Landon sat up quickly and aware. He glanced around frantically for his small Poke’mon; he couldn’t bare the thought of someone crushing her. “I caught her for you.” A pair of white-gloved hands held out Toya to him and he took her up gratefully. “Gee, thanks, miss.” The lady had a type of sea green hair, red eyes, and electric pink lipstick. She was dressed in a female version of a police uniform; a navy skirt and shirt topped off with an officer’s hat. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get going.” “Where are all of you going, miss?” Landon asked, helping her up. “I don’t have time. Team Magma will—” The officer stared at him for a little bit, “By any chance, are you a Poke’mon trainer?” “Yes, miss,” Landon replied to her. “You are? Great; then follow me.” “Hey!” Without warning, she grabbed Landon’s arm and started running down the street. “C’mon May and Zeru!” His voice shook as he passed them by. May blinked at him, but Zeru didn’t waste any time in ditching her. He broke free of her grip and started rushing after his best friend, “Wait, I’m coming!” He shouted. “Hey, don’t leave me here, Zeru!” May shouted, but he didn’t slow down. With a growl, she reluctantly picked up her own pace after them.

 

       An entire group of policewomen wee lined up at the edge of town, looking out to the fields in the distance. At their sides were dog-like Poke’mon with horizon orange fur, white underbody fur, bushy tails, and black tiger strikes from the neck down. The officer dragging Landon stopped behind her ranks and spoke to them, “I have some more Poke’mon trainers, Officer Jenny.” She said. “Have the others arrived?” “Yes, Jenny; their right over there.” The look-a-like officer pointed to the left end of the ranks to three other people. The shortest kid, who had his arms folded, had golden-blond hair and amber eyes. He was wearing a white jacket, a blue shirt, white shorts, and had a blue bag strapped across his shoulder. The other two trainers were both wearing the same thing; black pants, white shirts, and black vests. The only difference between them was that one was a boy with silvery white hair and the other was a girl with brown hair. And who exactly were they trying to fool? “Excuse me, Officer Jenny, but why are we all here?” Zeru asked the policewomen. “And I thought I was seeing a lot of Joy.” Landon blinked, then eyed the dog Poke’mon. He couldn’t resist the urge and whipped out his Poke’dex eagerly. Click-ick! “Growlithe, the Puppy Poke’mon. Growlithe are very territorial and will not hesitate to bite an enemy that invades its home. This Poke’mon uses its keen sense of smell to find its food.” The machine spoke. “No wonder they’re police dogs; I don’t think any criminal could escape from them.” Landon commented. “What’s going on, Officer Jenny? Why are you all recruiting trainers?” May asked and one of the Officer Jenny’s turned to him. “About a couple of weeks ago, some Poke’mon gang got it into their heads that they could just wreck this town up whenever they please. While that is a vandalism offense, it also goes way beyond that.” Officer Jenny folded her arms, “Some of the plants we grow here in Zakuden Town are used in Poke’mon and Human medicines. So our police force is hiring any trainers that are willing to help join us.” “But we didn’t—” May clasped her hand over Zeru’s mouth, “What he’s trying to say is that we’d love to help you guts out. Right, Lan?” “You bet, Officer Jenny.” Landon held up his fist, “This’ll be great practice for my up-coming gym match.” “Good, then just wait over there with the other trainers.” Officer Jenny said. The three nodded and walked over to the other three trainers.

 

       “How do you do you do? My name is Landon Himura.” Landon held out his hand to the blond-haired kid. But instead of shaking it, he just closed his eyes arrogantly. With a superior kind of air, he folded his arms. “The name’s Syorin Hibiki, kid.” He said shortly. “Uh…” Landon was kind of taken aback by his answer and tried to find something else to converse about. His eyes fell on a bell hanging around Syorin’s neck. The strange thing was that it looked just like his own Crystal Bell, except it was clear. Bingo—he hit a topic! “Hey, you have a bell just like mine.” Landon pointed out. Syorin simply glanced at the Crystal Bell. He didn’t really seem interested, just curious. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Landon blinked, utterly speechless. “That was rude!” Zeru shouted. “Yeah, I wonder what his problem is.” May added. Syorin didn’t reply, but kept his arrogant air. Brushing it off, Landon turned to the other two trainers with more hopeful results. “Hi, I’m Landon Himura.” He held out his hand. “Hello, loser—I mean, Landon.” The girl shook it and smiled, “My name is Tsubimi—ugh!” The boy nudged her sharply with his shoulder “—er…Tsubisu, and this is my cousin, Yo.” “Pleased to meet you.” The boy shook his hand too. With a smile, Landon walked back over to Zeru and May. Tsubisu and Yo looked to each other with slight grins. “Do you think he suspects?” Tsubisu asked Yo. “Probably not; he’ll never know that we’re actually Team Darkhorn.” He grinned to her. “Not only are we in this for the money, but the losers’ EX Poke’mon will be ours for the taking.”

 

Fast Fact Quiz: What is the goal of Team Darkhorn? If you can’t guess, find out at the end of this Chapter!



THIS IS THE END OF EPISODE 10, PART 1