Indigo darted across the air with a one-tracked mind. There was another explosion from the same area that threw more smoke into the air. Landon skid around a corner with his eyes darting to and fro. He had fallen so far behind that he lost Indigo completely. “Indigo, where’d you fly off to?” He shouted. This time around, no one even seemed to notice him at all. “Indigo—oh!” With a quick snag at his shirt collar, a pink hand yanked him back in between two white-stoned houses. “Ssshhh!” She hushed him and pointed to the other side. The Mew of the town fleeted through the streets in mass pandemonium, hiding or locking themselves in their houses. A quintet of large T-rex-like Poke’mon stormed through the town. Their yellow-green bodies were as tough as stone and decorated with blue spots in the shape of diamonds. “Tyranitar!” Landon whispered. The Tyranitar laughed while gaining amusement from frightening the Mew out of their wits and being all out chaotic. “Well, here,” From out of nowhere, Indigo thrust Landon’s wooden sword at him. “What am I supposed to do with this?” Landon gave her a skeptical look. “Duh! Go out there and show them what for!” “Are you nuts!?” He hissed. “THAT’S ENOUGH!!” A voice roared over the commotion and caused it to cease immediately. Landon and Indigo glanced out of the alleyway curiously. The entire town fell into dead silence as a floating Mew made his presence known. His bushy white eyebrows twitched and his mustache was just as bushy. The golden crown on his head complimented his eyebrows perfectly. Landon could feel the bell ringing lightly in his sweaty palm. The group of Tyranitar parted to allow an even bigger one with a scar across its eye to step forward, “King Teotan, it is time for you and your people to pay your monthly dues to the Tyranitar Empire.” Landon gave a sharp, yet silent gasp; he could actually understand what the Poke’mon were saying! Some species of Poke’mon, such as Mew, are able to use human speech, but Poke’mon like that were one in a million.

“So where is it?” The Tyranitar roared. “I’m sorry, King Yamagi, but I don’t have anything for you this month.” King Teotan said and there was a gasping and murmuring amongst the town folk. “Instead, we want to offer—” “Silence!!” The Tyranitar leader shook the entire area with his voice. It was now that Landon noticed why the Mew, as powerful as they were, weren’t defending themselves: being a dark-type Poke’mon made psychic attacks from Mew worthless to Tyranitar. King Yamagi paced to and fro, eying the towns people dangerously. “My patience has reached its end, Teotan. Maybe I should make an example of your daughter.” At this, Indigo gave a sharp gasp. “Never—you’d have to get through me to get to Indigo or anyone of my subjects.” Teotan clenched his tiny fists angrily. Tyranitar’s eye shot a dangerous look at the Mew king. “Why do you have to do things the hard way?” He raised a dangerous claw to the air before bringing it down sharply. Indigo’s body shook with anger as she clenched her fists. All of the anger she had pent up in her body was begging to be released. “Leave my father alone!” With a burst of wind, she forced her body through the air. Landon wasn’t a chicken, but he also wasn’t a fool—he wasn’t about to be the only human to rush in to attack something he couldn’t beat. All heads turned as she shot between the two kings. “Just go home and never come here again!” Indigo growled. “And what makes you so confident?” King Yamagi grinned. “Because I may be a much larger threat than any of these Poke’mon put together.” Landon stepped out of the alleyway with his wooden sword resting on his shoulder. As he suspected, eyes stared hotly on him, assisted with gasping and whispering. King Teotan’s eyes grew to twice their normal size from the shock. “Okay, so I’m a bigger fool than I thought. But at least I can do more than watch this way.” Landon thought to himself. “That’s why!” Indigo pointed to him, “Our knight has come to deliver us.” “Uhhh…” Landon started to sweat anime style, “I think she totally over-estimates me.”

“Indigo, ARE YOU CRAZY?!” Teotan hissed to his daughter loud enough for everyone to hear. “What possessed you to bring a human into this sacred land? How could you, our princess, break the largest rule of this Kingdom?!” “Ha! For all her threats, she brings a human to help!” Yamagi nudged his comrade behind him and they all broke out in laughter. “He doesn’t look a day over three!” “Better get your diaper, kid!” “Yeah, he looks like he’s gonna’ wet his pants!” “………!!!” Landon clenched his fists angrily, “DO I LOOK LIKE I’M THREE? I’M SEVEN!” He shouted. There was another chain of gasping from both the Mew and the Tyranitar. Once again, Landon could feel the eyes of disbelief falling upon him from all around. “You…understand us?” Yamagi blinked. His eye shook a bit with anger. He thought it was an outrage—a disgrace—for a human to comprehend the Poke’mon speech. “Time to go, Kid!” Yamagi drew his heavy fist and sent it hurling through the air. The wind yielded to the force of his attack. “Huh!” Landon’s eyes shrank. BANG!!! Tyranitar’s punch sent the young samurai hurling through the air and onto the ground. “Grrr!!!” He growled, doubling over. “Oh-Lan!” Indigo gasped. “Feh! That’ll teach that human to rise up at his superiors.” Yamagi turned back towards Teotan and Indigo, popping his knuckles. A sinister grin on his part increased the fear on the Mew’s faces. The closer he stepped towards them all, the more they seemed to scatter. “Don’t look so freaked out—I’m not the bad guy you’re making me out to be—” “Sir?” One of the Tyranitar spoke nervously. “Don’t bug me.” Yamagi brandished his claw to it carelessly. “But, your highness,” “Darn it, I told you to quit bugging me!” He turned to his trembling flunky, putting his claws on his hips. “B-b-but, he’s not there anymore.” The Tyranitar stammered. Yamagi rolled his eyes at his seemingly incompetent comrade. SWEEEE—PFFFPH-THPF!

“Arrrghh!” Yamagi clasped his claws about his head, hopping to and fro on one foot. The last thing he remembered was a thin, wooden object rocketing from above and dropping harshly on his skull. Landon dropped to the ground with a deadly purple glint in his eyes. One hand twirled the wooden sword while the other rubbed his stomach. “Gaw! Did you have to hit me in the stomach ?” He coughed. “Whoa! That was—” “—like magic!” Indigo and Teotan exclaimed. “How in the heck did he do that?” Yamagi winced. His eyes wandered from each of his comrades. They all stared back, but didn’t make a single word. “……C’mon, do I have to spell it out for you every time? Handle this, ya’ bunch of morons!” “Oh-right!” His less than trust-worthy crew all grouped around Landon hastily. Their sharp fangs gleamed in the sunlight and their hissing intimidated the town people. A drop of sweat dripped anime style from Landon’s forehead; there were ten of them and only one of him. “Now, now, this isn’t really fair.” He squeaked, forcing a fake chuckle. Like a cyndrilical wall, the Tyranitar inched closer and closer. “Just jump him already!” Yamagi threw his arms up in annoyance. “Yaaahh!” “Ahh!” The shadows of the Tyranitar loomed over Landon from their ascent to the air. Their bodies rained down heavily in a monstrous dog-pile that shook the ground. Legs flew, tails lashed, and teeth flashed in the pandemonium that took place inside. The Mew all gave a disgusted look as they let their imaginations wander. “I-gotta’-get-outta’-here!” Landon’s voice muffled. The wrestling of the Tyranitar became more hectic from the rush of power that followed behind their punches. The loose pebbles on the ground trembled with each beat the Poke’mon contributed. And then, there was silence—dead silence. Not one sound was made; not one move was attempted. There was no way that Landon survived that. No one could survive being crushed by that much weight. Teotan pulled at his mustache nervously. “Gee…I hope that lad isn’t seriously hurt” He thought “Please, be okay-please be okay-please be okay!” Indigo’s mind spoke frantically. “There, that should put an end to that human.” Yamagi slapped his claws together.

It was faint at first, but became even brighter through the uncovered parts of the dog-pile; a crystal-blue light blinked madly from underneath the Tyranitars’ bodies. With a final flicker, the light exploded into a luminous force like a bomb, forcing the Tyranitar into the air. “What in the—?” “It’s the Crystal Bell!” Indigo and Teotan stated. The Mew were all drawn from their hiding places to witness the dazzling spectacle. Landon dared to open his eyes, wincing a bit from the light before him. Yamagi’s jaw dropped in awe and shock. The bell of crystal floated before Landon’s face like a ghost, shooting specks of light through the air and streets. The light flickered lively in his sapphire eyes like a light blue flame. “It’s the legendary Crystal Bell! The bell that rings with the power of the ancients—and it’s all mine!” A greedy expression slapped Yamagi in the face as he made a mad-dash towards the light; his heavy body shook the ground. Landon’s head ranged with “power of the ancients” as his eyes wandered from the bell to the Poke’mon. He didn’t know if he should’ve gotten out of the way or stood and fought. One thing was for sure: if Yamagi wanted the bell, he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. With a grin, he wrapped his fingers around the warm crystal. Immediately, the light drew from all around the town and into his hand. “Ack!” A numb feeling shot through his arm, causing him to wince. “That bell is mine, you fool!” BANG!!! Yamagi clasped his claw around Landon’s hand harshly, rattling it with pain. Landon dropped to one knee. His teeth and free hand were clenched to endure the power the Poke’mon presented. “Give it up, kid; you have no idea what you’re holding on to.” Yamagi grinned, “If you let go, I promise I won’t hurt you.” What happened to the day? It started out perfectly normal and somehow evolved into all this! Be it fate or error, Landon wished he could stop it all. “I won’t let go, that I won’t!” He grunted. Yamagi lifted the little boy from the ground with one arm in an attempt to throw him, but Landon grounded himself by putting his feet firmly to the behemoth’s chest. His grip around the Crystal Bell didn’t weaken in the slightest. “Listen, you little brat,” Yamagi spat, “I’m not about to lose to a mere human child!” “’First time for everything, right?” CRACK!! “Yeeooww!” Landon brought his wooden sword crashing into Yamagi’s arm with all his strength; He howled in pain and dropped the human hastily, cradling his arm as tears flew from his eyes. “…the power of the ancients…the power of a pure human boy…the prophecy exists!” King Teotan muttered under his breath. “The prophecy?” Indigo blinked. “Indigo, how did that human boy get here?” “Through the Shinju gate; when he solved the puzzle, that bell wouldn’t stop ringing until it leapt from my bow and shot right through the wall.” Indigo answered. Teotan’s mustache arched up to reveal a pleased smile. As mad and shocked as he was, he still found room to be a happy old man, “Don’t you see, my daughter? He’s the one from the prophecy—the one with the name we would treasure like a jewel. Tell me, what’s his name?” “Erm, Landon Himura,” Indigo answered. “Landon Himura…” Teotan pulled at his mustache. It didn’t sound much like something to be treasured…actually, it was kind of weird-sounding. “…wait a minute…” Indigo let her mind travel back to when Landon first moved to Littleroot Town. She pictured him walking up the hill with that mahogany-haired girl. ‘My name is Koryushima, just promise me you won’t tell anyone.’ Landon’s voice echoed in her head. “No, his real name is Koryushima. It’s Japanese for some type of precious stone or something like that.” Indigo snapped her fingers. “A garnet,” Teotan corrected her. “Tyranitar, retreat now!!” King Yamagi shouted and he, as well as his wounded troops, hobbled through the town. The quaking became lighter the farther away they traveled. “And don’t come back!” Landon shouted, watching them disappear in the distance. “You did it, Landon!” Indigo launched her body into her new friend, knocking him down. It was only too bad that the other Mew didn’t think as highly of his accomplishment. Instead of clapping or cheering, they continued to stare at the human intruder. But Landon didn’t mind; all he wanted to do was go back home and have a nice cup of Japanese green tea. “You two, with me, now!” King Teotan pointed to his daughter and Landon. “And as for the rest of you, staring is not polite. Our guest shouldn’t feel threatened.” At that, the town folk disperse and busied themselves immediately. Teotan drifted through the air towards the palace with the two tagging along after him.

The inside of Shinju Palace was as splendid and beautiful as the outside. The sunlight poured through the many windows brightly. Landon wished he could’ve explored the several branching corridors, but, as it was rude, he was confined to walk down the grand hallway only. There were four corridors marked with a bright color, making the temptation even stronger. One was marked with a bright white light; the one next to it was purple, and the one across from it was a silver-like color. King Teotan turned towards the right into a corridor marked with a blue light. A cool breeze seemed to blow out of nowhere, smacking against Landon’s hair. They all reached a dead-end that made him wonder why they even walk down there in the first place. “First of all, I have a reward for you, Indigo.” Teotan said without turning. “Really?” Indigo gave a promising look. “Yeah, it’s a free trip to your room after this is done.” “Ack!” BANG! Indigo crashed to the ground. “As for you…what was your name again?” “It’s Landon,” Landon told Teotan. “Yes, yes, thanks lad. I have no doubt that my daughter saw purity inside your heart. I know so because the Crystal Bell rings so lively in your hands. You have a soul that’s pure and an inner power that will help you. Before I go any further, I want you to promise three promises.” King Teotan finally turned to him. Landon glanced at the crystal bell in his hand; the ringing had finally stopped and it cooled back down. “…I didn’t think today could get weirder.” He nodded. “Koryushima Himura, you must first promise you will be brave in every fight you face. You must never tell another human soul about this place. Furthermore, you must promise to use your skill and inner gift to become a Poke’mon Hero as so few did before you.”

“I’m fearless, won’t tell a soul, and will accept my destiny.” Landon grinned from his short dramatic line. “This isn’t a game with a reset button! You are about to undertake a heavy burden unlike no other!” Teotan said sternly. “I’m serious,” Landon folded his arms. Teotan held out a tiny hand towards the young samurai; his eyes lit slightly and the Crystal Bell shot from Landon’s hand. Once he moved to the side, Landon noticed an engraving on the wall in a spherical shape. Teotan placed the Crystal Bell into the wall and they all stood back as it started to glow; the entire room trembled a bit as it slid to the sides like a door. Through the threshold, a light blue light poured onto Landon’s face. The entire room was made of clear crystal from the walls to the ground. In the middle of the room stood the only odd-colored object, an emerald green podium, with a tatty old book atop it. The pages were yellow with age, but the strong leather binding failed to let time take its strength away. Teotan cleared his throat, “Landon, the world has been waiting for your arrival for centuries. You flow with a special energy that only a Life-Giver of Poke’mon can posses. You see things that normal humans can’t—you can sense what not even the best of Poke’mon trainers can feel. You are an Origin Waker.” He put the bell in Landon’s hand. “As an Origin Waker, it is your destiny to use your powers to save the Poke’mon world from the evil that threatens it.” “The evil that threatens it?” Landon blinked. “Yes; you must right evil humans and Poke’mon alike and teach them to live together. Now, take up the Poke’sphere, the book of those who tried so hard before you.” Teotan pointed to the book. Landon dared to step onto the clear crystal floor slowly. A breeze inside the room blew against his hair and clothes from out of nowhere. He reached to the top of the podium and wrapped his hands around the old tatty book. “Oh, and Himura,” “Huh?” Landon glanced back. “Remember your promises.” SSHHWOOO!!! The wind rushed wildly through the entire room as the Crystal Bell exploded with a luminous light. Landon’s entire body lit up and literally started to float into the air. The room became nothing but an oblivion of blue light.

“Landon? Hey, Landon, are you okay?” “He just needs a smack to the head.” “But, Karou, maybe that’s a little harsh—” “Nonsense, Kenshin, he’s a tough kid.” SMACK!!! “HEY!!” Landon suddenly shot up and placed his hand on his throbbing red right cheek. The sunlight burst through the window and onto the blue carpet of Landon’s bedroom. Posters of several different Poke’mon were plastered onto the walls; instead of being rectangular in shape like normal beds, his bed was circular with unique sheets to fit it. On the wall with the window was a mahogany desk with a computer decorating its surface. Karou, Kenshin, May, and Zeru huddled around Landon with concerned looks on their faces. “Whadda’ ya’ know—it actually worked!” Kenshin blinked. “See, I know what I’m doing.” Karou ran her hand through her hair. “How do you feel, Lan? You took a nasty fall down that hole.” May said. “….!!” Landon suddenly perked up as the memory of the Mew town raced through his mind like lightning. “The bell—where’s Indigo?” He jumped to his feet. His parents and friends, however, blinked at him. “Who?” “Landon, honey, are you feeling alright?” Karou felt his forehead. “I’m not sick! I—” ‘I promise not tell another human soul…’ Landon’s own voice echoed with the promise he made to King Teotan and Indigo. He glanced around the room to see the Crystal Bell and the Poke’sphere lying on his bed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Zeru asked. “Uh…yeah, I’m just fine.” Landon smiled. (A page to Landon’s destiny has been turned and a whole new chapter is about to begin. What surprises are in store for our young hero? Find out on the next episode of “Poke’mon X”)

THIS IS THE END OF CHAPTER 2. SEE YA' IN CHAPTER 3