Landon struggled his hardest to break free from his bonds. He may have been a tough little warrior with his sword, but he was weakling when it came to brute strength. “There has got to be a way to get out of here.” He glanced all around his cell in the hopes of a key to escape. “Darn it; if only I had my sword with me, I could break us out of here….” Then he started to sweat anime style, “Maybe that’s why I don’t have it in the first place.” “…hmmmmm…hum?” The girl’s eyebrows twitched as she started to come around. She blinked to try and adjust her eyesight to her surroundings. She sat up and shook her head a bit. “Hey, are you okay over there?” Landon asked her. She didn’t speak at all, but delivered to him a warm and sincere smile. “Glad to see that you’re all right.” Landon smiled back. He couldn’t explain it, but he was starting to be able to understand her. “Mmm!” Toya wiggled to try and break free. Landon figured that Toya was gagged in order to prevent her from using water attacks. “Don’t worry, girls; I’ll find a way to get us out of here.” He assured them. “So, we meet again Himura.” A voice sounded form the corridor.

       Standing between two grunts—the same ones from the alley—was the leader of Team Magma himself. Maxie brushed his hair with his hands and grinned. “You! What do you want?” Landon growled. “Why?” Maxie said simply, “Why do you always seem to be insistent on stopping the plans of Team Magam? All we’re trying to do is expand the land and make the world a better place for both Poke’mon and people. But if you keep standing in our way, we will have no choice but to crush you.” “Don’t play innocent! Guys who try to help don’t hurt—or chase, as it were—innocent people.” Landon got to his feet with a little difficulty. “If you’re going to annoy someone, annoy Team Aqua.” “Great, what are your plans for us anyway? Why are we in here?” He demanded. “…You, Landon, are in there simply because you got in the way again!” Maxie told him, “But the girl, however, is a different story. Her case is very special indeed.” “Tell me something I don’t know.” Landon snapped. He was in no mood for an extended explanation. Toya’s low growls could be heard as she struggled to break herself free. Landon just noticed that the mysterious girl had slid over to hide behind his back. He blushed a little and felt his heart start to speed up. “You won’t believe me, but the girl that’s cowering behind you…is actually a very rare Poke’mon in disguise.” Maxie said. “Right, and I’m the worst swordsman in the world.” Landon wanted to fold his arms. “Believe it; she is a Poke’mon known as Latias. I have been chasing her for quite some time now and I’ve finally cornered her here. Team Magma needs to use Latias’s powers to gain an edge on Team Aqua and spread the land.” Maxie explained. “But …by the looks of it, it seems you two are pretty close already. You two might want to enjoy a moment alone before I take her away.” “SHUT UP!” Landon fumed, blushing like mad. His heart started pounding against his body again. Maxie gave a grin and walked off down the left side of the corridor with his grunt sidekicks. He waited till they were out of earshot before speaking, “Sir, was it really…well, smart to leave Latias with that boy? I mean, he has been known to pull out of risky situations miraculously. What’s stopping him from getting away with Latias?” The grunt asked. “Did it ever occur to you that I left them alone on purpose?” Maxie stepped and folded his arms. Almost immediately and fearfully, the two grunts stopped right behind him. “It’s obvious that Latias has developed a crush on Landon and we can use that to our advantage. It’s really only a matter of time before she reveals her true self.” “….Oh, now I see, sir.” The grunt took a quick bow of respect.

        Landon struggled to try and break the ropes binding him, only to struggle in vain. “I don’t know about all that stuff Maxie was talking about, but I have to get us out of here now.” He gazed out of the bars and at his sword. If only he could reach it; if only he had it, then he could defeat Team Magma. “…I know! I’ll just have Bayleef use her Vine Whip and pull my sword to me.” Landon managed to pull the poke’ball from his belt. He dropped it down and it bounced onto the ground. But when it opened, nothing but air came out. “…oh-no, I forgot they’re at the beach!” He sweated anime style. Suddenly, he felt someone grasp his arm and rub against him. “Mmmm! Kiiiip!” Toya struggled to get out more frantically for jealousy shot through her. The girl was hugging Landon and all he could do was blush at first. “Excuse me, but don’t get me wrong; you’re a really cute girl, but that’s a little too friendly.” He tried to pull away firmly, but gently. Still, her grip didn’t hasten. “…I’ve been waiting to meet you for a very long time, Landon.” The girl suddenly spoke. “I thought you couldn’t talk!” Landon pointed out. The girl relinquished his arm and smiled at him, “I’ve been talking to you for a few weeks.” The girl took a step back and closed her eyes. Her body suddenly started to glow with a sparkling blue color. White sparks flashed from the light enshrouding her as she started to slowly change form. Landon’s eyes sparkled from it the longer he and Toya watched. “Maybe…he wasn’t lying?” He didn’t know what to believe as the human girl slowly changed into the red Poke’mon from his dreams. The light around her body fizzled out, but the crystal bell remained alit. Landon was utterly speechless to her—she seriously was a Poke’mon and he didn’t believe at first. Immediately, his mind flashed back to the near-kiss he was “threatened” with in his dreams. “I’m glad I was able to finally find you, Landon.” Latias communicated with him psychically, “You’re such a kind, but powerful person. I’ve tried to call out to you—even through your dreams.” “My dreams?” Landon stared into her beautiful yellow eyes. He could understand her trying to talk to him, but what was the kissing for? “So, you’re the reason for my constant dreaming? Why?” “Lan, you’re the only one who can save us legendary Poke’mon.” Latias’s cheeks went pink; talking to Landon was so hard when she was face to face with him, “Someone is using a type of darkness in its plans to control us EX legendary Poke’mon. I don’t want to use my powers for that reason—I need someone who can stop the darkness. That’s why I had to find you; you have the power to stop any foe that comes your way.” “Well, that’s telling me how you know me, but what does it have to do with Team Magma’s capturing you?” Landon asked curiously. “I left my island home to try and find you and Team Magma saw through my human disguise. They chased me all across Hoenn, until I came here.” Latias stopped to give a nervous smile. She knew perfectly well that this was a lot to take in. “I hope I’m not weirding you out.” She said. “Not at all; it’ll just take me a little while to get it all.” Landon told her. Latias perked up, “Thanks; I knew I could count on you.” But now, the even bigger question: how were they suppose to get out of there? “I’ve got to find a way to reach my…that’s it!” Landon walked over to Latias. “I know a way this could work, but I’m going to need your help.” “I’ll do anything,” “Uh…yeah, I just need you to work the sash out of my hair.” He said. Latias moved closer to him; she bit his sash with her teeth and started working it loose. Occasionally, Landon would wince because she would pull at his hair instead. It made him wonder if she was doing it on purpose. Landon’s long hair fell limply once Latias worked it out. “Okay, now give it to me, please.” She spat it into his hands with a questioned look. Landon started to unhook his poke’gear from his belt. He let the machine drop to the floor, but kept the ring that went to it. With the sash tied tightly through the ring, Landon walked up to the bars of their cell. Latias and Toya gave him a puzzled look, though it was obvious what he was about to do. “I hope I can make this.”

       Landon used his teeth to toss the ring-end of the sash through the bars. It looped around the hilt of his sword with a light clang. “Alright!” He exclaimed through clenched teeth. Another smile spread on Latias’s face as she felt her freedom getting closer. As Landon walked backwards, the sakaba-tou slid out of the sheath, making a loud scraping sound against the metal floor. “Sshhhh!” Latias echoed in his head. He dragged the sword more gently till he heard a clung—the sword was at the bars now! “It’s a done deal!” Landon stated and ran to claim his sword. The light glared off the metal as it ran through the cords in one clean swish. “That feels a lot better. Hang on, Toya; I’m coming for you.” Landon knelt to his Poke’mon and slashed her bindings in one clean swish as well. “Mudkip! Mud-mudkip!” Toya yelped happily. Next, Landon freed Latias and she thanked him with a smile. “You should really return to your human form, Latias.” He said, putting his sash back in his hair, “That way, you can get out of here easier—” “What’s going on down there?” A voice suddenly sounded from the corridor. Landon gasped, grabbing up his sword, sheath, and Poke’gear. “Latias, do it now before someone sees you.” He said. Latias’s eyes literally lit up when she blinked. A swirl of blinding blue lights engulfed her red and white Poke’mon body. Her formed thinned out into a human shape that wasn’t exempt from the laws of gravity. Toya clambered up to Landon’s head to claim her favorite spot. Footsteps could be heard echoing from the corridor, indicating that a group of people were on their way. “Latias, climb on my back and I’ll blast our way out of this prison cell.” Landon knelt to let Latias hop on his back. As light as a feather, Latias jumped on and held on tightly. “Quick, let’s go check the prisoners.” The voices sounded like they were getting a lot closer. Landon started to sweat and his heart pounded a little faster. “We have to get out of here now!” He grasped the hilt of the reverse-blade sword and stepped up to the door of the cell.

 

       “DRAGON HAMMER STRIKE!” SHING-BACLANG!! A glare from the sword shone swiftly, but brightly as the cell bars came falling down. “Let’s go!” Landon re-sheathed his sword and dashed out into the brightly lit corridor. Latias gave him a look of amazement—she had never seen anyone cut through solid steel with a sword that had a reverse blade. She smiled and blushed lightly. Toya was feeling the pangs of jealousy, keeping a close and semi-reproachful eye on Latias. Landon’s footsteps echoed down the long winding corridor. From the looks of the way the hallway kept shadowing at the end, it could take a while before they got out. “Ack!” They knew it was only a matter of time before they were onto them; a dozen of Team Magma grunts came running down the hall. Each one was carrying a black nightstick. “Hold it right there.” The one with black sunglasses stepped up. “That’s about as far as you go!” “We were given strict orders from Maxie to make sure you don’t escape with that Latias.” Another pointed to Latias, who let out a minute whimper. “Don’t worry, I won’t let them take you.” Landon got into the stance of the battou-jitsu, grasping the hilt of his sword. His eyes went serious, but simply couldn’t stray from their gentle sapphire. “…you won’t let them take me?” Latias blinked. A wild smile spread on her face and she blushed harder. She was sure to give him her complete trust. “Don’t let him escape with Latias!” The sunglassed grunt pointed with his nightstick and the grunts scrambled past him, weapons poised. “Hold on,” Landon said in a serious tone. His body made a slight movement as he sized up the group of attackers. There was a rush of wind once Landon’s body started to move like lightning. A bright glare shone followed by a swish through the air; the first grunt’s club went flying in half. Landon struck him in the stomach, followed by a single blow to another’s calves. He was like a whirlwind of swordplay as he weaved in and out of the enemy forces. “You bratty kid kid!” One grunt swung at him; Landon dodged at a hair’s width and brought his sword to the side. With a kick off the ground, he drove the flat end into the grunt’s chest. A few more swings and a few more foot soldiers went down. “Uh….” The one in the sunglasses took a look at his fallen troops. There wasn’t a single man left standing besides himself. As the fallen grunted and groaned, Landon looked as if he wasn’t tired in the least—even with Latias on his back! He just stood there with his gentle-serious eyes. “You….” The sunglassed grunt tossed his nightstick to the ground. From his belt, he withdrew a long dagger from its sheath. “I don’t know what you are, but you’re not getting away with this.” “You should save your breath, you really should.” Landon rested his sword on his shoulder. To be honest, he was moving more on instinctual actions—his natural drive to save his friends. “Shut up, kid!” The grunt charged head-on with his dagger poised. “Some…just don’t learn.” Landon closed his eyes and flashed into a dash. Latias and Toya held on tightly to him. “Yeah, you’re mine!” The grunt thrust the dagger out lethally, but Landon’s blade was much longer; it easily reached its attacker for the defense. CLANG!!! The two blades vibrated against each other and their handlers were locked in a power struggle. Landon clenched his teeth under the sword’s stress. The grunt had an edge over the physical strength his foe lacked. Landon started to sweat, but he gave a grin. The two blades vibrated back and forth between the power struggle. Landon could feel his trembling legs slowly inch closer to the floor. “Why don’t you just give up while you still can, kid?” The grunt said as if he had already won. “It’ll make this a lot easier on the both of us if you just walked away.” “I don’t think so!” Suddenly, Landon let his body fall back slightly; the force the grunt was exerting caused him to lean threateningly forward. Landon then brought himself up in a blind fury.

       “Kiyaaa!” BANG! His knee went hurling into the grunts tender stomach. Even though he was wearing sunglasses, his pain was obvious. He staggered backwards, clutching his stomach with both arms. “…h…hey…that wasn’t f-fair!” “And you fight fair by sending an army after us? I don’t think so.” Landon re-sheathed his sword, for he saw no more use for it at the time. His serious eyes went back from their serious expression to their gentle sapphire. “Let’s get out of here. No offense, but you’re starting to get a little heavy.” He started to walk on. This time, Latias blushed, but she didn’t smile. “I’m not through with you!” A voice coughed behind them. The heavy, rapid footsteps of the Team Magma grunt sounded against the metal floor. “Hiyaa—ugn!” “Oh!” “Mudkip!” Latias and Toya gasped lightly. The sheath of the reverse-blade sword connected with the grunt’s side in a devastating blow. The black sunglasses fell before their owner. Landon shook his head in disapproval. “Too bad for you, now let’s get out of here.” He turned and ran down the hall, careful not to step on the fallen attackers. “Ugh…” The grunt doubled over. “That kid…he’s not human!” “On the contrary, he is quite human.” From out of nowhere, Maxie walked up to his fallen soldier. He put his hands in his pockets, “What do you have to say for yourself?” “Sir, we didn’t anticipate the power that kid would possess.” The grunt wheezed. “I warned you about Himura; I told you not to underestimate him! Thanks to you, this mission was nearly a complete failure. You screwed up.”

 

       “Ah, fresh air at last!” Landon smiled as he burst into the outside. The secluded cove they escaped from wasn’t too far off from the beach that he arrived to Slateport on. The sun dipped down towards the horizon in the evening sky, bidding the day farewell. Landon let Latias off of his back and stared out at the people in the distance. It would have been wise to return so his friends wouldn’t worry about them. “Thanks a lot, Landon.” Latias’s voiced hummed inside of his head. He turned around to say “No problem,” but she startled him slightly; Latias was floating above the ground in her true Poke’mon form. Her cheeks were blushing like mad and she was holding a white cloth, “I…have to leave you now.” She said sadly. “What? So soon? But why; we just met each other. Could we at least…” Landon started to blush a little, “well…spend the evening together?” “We’ll will be together someday if fate permits it. I…err…have something for you.” Latias floated over to him slowly. Toya gave another reproachful look. Latias took Landon’s hand and placed the cloth in it. “It’s nothing fancy; just a scarf. I hope you like it.” She said nervously. “Wow, thanks a bunch. This way, there can be a part of you with me wherever I go.” Landon smiled as he took out his old sash in his hair and replaced it with the new cloth his new friend gave him, “At least until we meet up again. This way, I’ll never lose it—not ever!” “Eh….” Latias glanced at the ground to summon up her courage, but it was hard to do with her heart pounding against her chest like a drum; without much thinking, she pressed her lips against Landon’s in a ginger kiss. “Hmm!?” Landon blinked, taken quite aback. Toya’s jaw dropped in awe. Landon thought she might’ve had a crush on him, but he didn’t realize she felt that strongly. His eyes took an emotional tremble and flicker; he felt powerless against her advance. Latias was in no hurry to pull away from him; she did it slowly as if to saver the moment. Now she was blushing uncontrollably and couldn’t even look at him. “Err…well, I h-have to go now. Goodbye, my Landon.” She floated higher into air, waving goodbye. Latias gave another candy-like smile to show her gratitude and practically vanished into thin air. “….Mudkip?” Toya glanced down at her trainer. He was staring into the air with a clueless expression on his face. “Mudkip! Mudkip!” Toya pulled on his hair a little harshly. “Ouch! Hey, stop it!” Landon winced. “Mud-mud, Mudkip-mudkip!?” Toya sat on her hind legs and folded her front ones. “….who knows?” Landon smiled. “Mudkip,” His Poke’mon pouted. “Oh, relax; no one’s going to replace you. Now, why don’t we go catch up with May and Zeru?” He started down towards the beach.

 

       “Hiya, guys!” “Mud—mudkip!” Landon and Toya waved to Zeru and May,  who were sitting on the sand with all of their Poke’mon. They smiled and waved back to him. “Where were you all day, Himura?” Zeru’s voice echoed. Landon kicked up sand as he ran up the dunes to them. “Bay—eee!” “Vulpix!” “Fur-fur!” “Pika-pi!” His Poke’mon dashed up to greet him. “You missed a great time, Landon.” “Yeah, we went surfing and everything!” Zeru sweated anime style at May; the spill he took was still replaying in his mind. “Let’s just say,” Landon tried to keep himself from blushing, “…let’s just say I met someone nice.” (Ooooo! Does Landon have a crush on the cute red Poke’mon? Episodes and adventures like these aren’t really worth missing, so follow Landon’s adventure in the next episode of “Poke’mon X”!)

 

Fast Fact answer: The name of the ancient book Landon carries with him is called the Poke’sphere. Stay tuned for more Fast facts.

 

                                      “Shine the Sky” (Ending Theme)

 

Shine the sky!

Crystal power hit the high—

Flying current to my victory

Try and Try!

Never give the fight away

I’ll take every challenge that I can get in my hands

Des—tiny!

Prophecy I can’t ignore

Know what surprises that it has in store

Shine the sky!

A new adventure I will face

Another chance at victory with Poke’mon!