“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

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

            “Ha! There’s no way out of this one, Himura Senpai!” The sun shone down on the white walls of a grand school building. Sango Technical stood out like a sore thumb in the town of Littlroot. The large school reflected the light of the sun brightly onto the tops of the trees. The long fence that surrounded the school sparkled as if it was brand new and the golden star planted in the middle of the school was just as beautiful. In the classroom, Landon sat at his desk, surrounded by his classmates. A few years had gone by and he had grown into a fine, strong, young ten-year old child. He never forgot about the adventure he had with Indigo or his destiny and always wore the crystal bell around his neck. All the male students in the class wore black pants and a black shirt embroidered with star-shaped patch on the left side. The female students wore blue mini skirts and white dress shirts finished off with black ties.

          A kid with sand-colored hair faced Landon with his desk turned to his. On the desktops were arranged trading cards with pictures of different Poke’mon on them. The one Landon had looked like a puppy with flaming red fur and tiger stripes tagging its back and a bushy tan tail. The top of the card read “Blain’s Growlithe” right beside “HP 50”. The sand kid’s card was a sea blue turtle with a curly tail. On the top read “Squritle” and “Hp 50”. “This is the end for you, Himura Senpai.” The kid said. “Next turn, my Squirtle is gonna’ take you out!” Landon, however, sat with his eyes closed and his arm folded calmly. “Maybe…or I might have a trick up my sleeve.” He held up his right hand, which revealed five of the cards, and drew from the deck near him with the other. “I’m sorry, but this game is over.” Landon placed down a card that looked almost like the one he had in front of him. This one, however, was larger with many more stripes on its red and tan fur, with an even bushier tail if it were possible. “I play Blain’s Arcanine. And since I had already powered it up, I’m free to wipe you out.” “Noooo!” The kid scratched his head feverishly. The students huddled around the desk all clapped and cheered and Landon blushed. “That was a good match, Li.” He held out his hand to his opponent. “Huh?” The kid looked up at him with a surprised look. It was as if he had never heard an upper classman talk to a lower classman like an equal. That was one of the many things that made Landon popular in school. “…gee, thanks, Senpai!” He shook Landon’s hand (*Senpai is Japanese for “Upper classman”).

 

          The bell for the end of school sounded and all of the kids of Sango Tech spilled out of the building. Landon walked through the school lot, holding his book case over his shoulder. There were two loops on his bag where he kept his bokutou (wooden sword). He walked all alone, but really didn’t mind it—May and Zeru normally joined him as soon as they were finished at their lockers. “Good bye, Mr. Himura Senpai!” a group of younger kids waved to him. “See ya’ later, Senpai!” “See you tomorrow,” Landon waved. “Senpai!” “Huh?” He blinked and turned around. Li, the sand-haired kid from earlier, came running up to him. One hand was holding his book case while the other was clasped around his deck of Poke’mon cards. He slid to a halt in front of his classmate and stopped to catch his breath. “Look, Li, when we’re not in class, I’m not Senpai anymore. Sounds easier, right?” “That’s cool; I just wanted to tell you that I’m gonna’ get stronger and become a better challenge to you.” Li told him. “Let me help you.” Landon reached into his pocket and pulled out his own respective deck of Poke’mon cards. With a bit of search shuffling, he withdrew two cards and handed them to Li. “…Ah! But Sen—er—Landon, these are the strongest cards in your deck.” “Remember, this game isn’t just about trying to beat your opponent, but also learning about Poke’mon and how to use them effectively in different situations. Just don’t get a big head, okay?” Landon smiled. Li took up the cards slowly and smiled back. “Thanks, cool!!” “Grrr!”

          Suddenly, Landon drew his bokutou and spun around, swinging it heavily. WHOOSH-SHWEE-PFFPTH! “Ahhhhh!” Someone from behind him wearing a samurai outfit came crashing to the ground. In his hand was a shinai, a kind of wooden sword that looked more like a real sword than the bokutou. The guy shook slightly as he tried to get to his feet. “When are you jerks from the Kendo club gonna’ learn? I’m already a student of my mom’s school. I WON’T JOIN YOU NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU TRY TO BEAT ME!” Landon rested his wooden sword on his shoulder and gave an annoyed glance. “Then maybe you want to take us all on at once.” In almost no time, a dozen other kids in samurai outfits surrounded him. Their faces were transfixed with deadly gazes and their shinai’s were poised for attack. Landon let his bag drop to the ground with a plop. He spread his legs in a stance of where he both maneuver and draw his sword as if from a sheath. His face was a mixture of annoyance and deadly seriousness. “Fine; if you all want to take me on at once, I’ll drop you all right here and now. But this time,” He blinked once and only once, “If I win, you’ll leave me alone.” A boy with short blond hair stepped up to the front of the ranks, “As senpai of the kendo club, we accept your terms……Men!” All at once, every one of the kendo members rushed towards Landon with their shinai swords raised over their heads (*Men means “to attack the head”).

          “Kiyaaaaa!” Like lightning, Landon weaved through the kendo members, swinging his sword harshly at them. His opponents fell against each other like dominoes, except they kept getting back up for more. Landon moved from the flying swords one second, and flowed into his attack like water the next. By the time he was done, all of the kendo members were sprawled all over the school lot. “Arrgghh…” The kendo senpai trembled as he used his shinai to sit up, “Blast you, Himura.” “Oh, darn; I feel so bad for you.” Landon said in sarcasm. He picked up his bookcase, replaced his bokutou, and started away. “Oh, wow, that was really cool, Himura Senpai!” Li jumped excitedly. Landon just sweated anime style and continued to walk on. “Just doin’ what I do best, Li.”

 

                    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!!

 

                                                          Chapter 3: “Establishing the Link”

 

          “I can’t stand it when those guys do that.” Landon let out an annoyed sigh as he walked down the sidewalk away from Sango Tech. He would’ve waited for May and Zeru, but didn’t want to risk getting caught by another member of the kendo club. The early afternoon sun dyed the sky in a mixture of purple, blue, and yellow. A light breeze blew against the tree tops and caused the leaves to sway for a wild second. “Well, at least I got away from…” A slight rustle from the bushes near him caused Landon to grab his bokutou once again. “You wanna’ go again, Tai Senpai?!” He turned around with his wooden sword poised for attack. The bushes rustled more wildly this time, indicating that there was a person in there this time. Landon frowned, ready to swing at whatever was about to come crawling out. “Hey, what’s with all this senpai stuff?” The bushes swayed a little bit more before two familiar faces leapt out. To be honest, not much has changed between the three in the last three years except for the fact that they got taller. “What happen to you back there?” May asked with a smile. “Yeah; I thought you were supposed to wait for us in the school lot.” Zeru added. “Not when the kendo club is after you.” “Again? What is up with them, anyway?” Landon shrugged his shoulders at him and started to walk on with his friends following. “By the way, Landon, we aren’t going to your house today.” May said. “What?! May, I can’t afford to waste another study day—our Poke’mon physiology test is tomorrow and I hadn’t even studied once!” “That may not be an issue.” May pointed out with a grin. Landon glanced back at her with a raised eyebrow. “Dad will explain it to you at his lab. So let’s get going right now.” It was May’s turn to take the lead and she detoured from the main road to the side road, which lead to professor Birch’s laboratory. Landon and Zeru looked at each other with questioned expressions and shrugged their shoulders. All they could do was sit back and follow May.

         

          May came to a stop in front of Professor Birch’s laboratory doors. The colors from the sky gave the building a nice multi-colored shade. Professor Birch’s jeep was parked in the driveway, indicating that he was inside. Landon sat on the door steps as May tried to knock on the door. “Dad? Dad, are you in there?” She called. “May—” The muffled voice from inside the laboratory followed by a rapid tumbling sound. “Dad!” May suddenly burst into through the doors in a mad hurry. Landon and Zeru blinked at each other. “If she could’ve done that the whole time—” “—then why did that dim wit girl make us stay out here?” “I HEARD THAT!!” May shouted from inside. The two boys picked up their bookcases and dashed through the threshold. Light from the afternoon sun flowed into the open windows of the laboratory. Professor Birch was sprawled out at the foot of the stairs to the upper level along with an avalanche of books. His eyes swirled wildly from his dizziness. “…Professor Birch?” Landon blinked. “Are you okay, dad?” May went to help Professor Birch to his feet. “Ohaa…I’m fine; it’s gonna’ take a lot more than a bunch of books to hurt this old man.” “What in the heck were you doing, Professer Birch? Ya’ know if you’re not careful, you’ll fall down and break your neck.” Zeru asked him, folding his arms. “I was trying to haul all of those books upstairs to the library.” “Oh, great,” May sweated anime style, “Dad, how many times do I have to tell you that you’re no superman—you just can’t haul all those books up the steps at once!” Professor Birch dusted his lab coat off, “I’m glad you three are here; I have a gift for you.” He started away from the mess and up the stairway. “But dad…” “I’ll clean it up later, May.” He replied to his daughter. Landon, May, and Zeru followed with two of them sporting questioned expressions.

 

          Professor Birch led the way to another room in the lab. The only thing past the threshold was some sort of tall cylindrical glass container filled with white smoke. “What’s up with that?” Zeru said, pointing to it. “This is the surprise I was saving for you. I’m sure you know that each new trainer receives a starting Poke’mon from their local professor. Well, recently, my research team and I have discovered three Pok’mon with a weird sort of inner power called an EX. I need a trio of trustworthy trainers who can help these Poke’mon discover their true potential.” CLACK! Landon and Zeru let their book cases drop to the ground with a clatter. True, Landon had often fantasized of being a Poke’mon trainer and even joked about it. But he never knew that a surprise like this would ever befall him on such a normal day of school. “You mean—” “That’s right; how would you three like to help these miss-fit Poke’mon find some good partners?” “You know I would!” Landon and Zeru jumped up a little too quickly and blushed. “I knew you boys would like this—we’re finally gonna’ be Poke’mon trainers!” May smiled, being a lot more composed than her friends. Professor Birch chucked, probably reminiscing about when he received his first Poke’mon. “I knew you’d say something like that.” He walked up to the container and pressed a red button on the side. The glass doors pushed away from each other, allowing the smoke to go billowing out into the room. On the inside was a pillow with a triad of different colored poke’balls resting atop it lifelessly.

          “I have chosen the Poke’mon that best fits your personalities.” Professor Birch picked up the orange and white ball marked with a flame insignia on it. “Torchic represents your spirit, May; its flames burn as bright and intense as your determination to win.” He gave May the poke’ball and it burst open in a flash of light. The Poke’mon, resembling a baby chicken, had flaming red feathers, a tiny yellow beak, and violet eyes. “Torchic-torchic!” It hopped around excitedly, flapping its very short yellow wings. “Torchic!” it smiled at its new trainer. “Awww, he’s so cute!” May picked it up and cuddled with it. “How about that: a chicken for a chicken.” Zeru chuckled at his joke. BANG!! “Oooch!” The next thing he knew, May had sent her fist flying against his head. “And next time, I won’t make it so painless.” She told him. “Now for you, Zeru,” Professor Birch continued to try and change the subject, “Like a plant, you represent the continuing cycle of growth and mystery. The wood-gecko Poke’mon, Treecko, will suit your personality.” He gave Zeru the green and white poke’ball with the leaf insignia, allowing it to erupt in his hands. The green, yellow-eyed gecko Poke’mon folded its arms upon its release. It had a red belly and a big forked leaf for a tail. “Hullo, my name is Zeru.” Zeru knelt down and held his palm out to it. Treecko stared at him for a little bit, then smiled slyly as it sent its fist flying to his hand. “He thinks just like me! I can tell we’re gonna’ get along fine.” Zeru exclaimed. May sweated anime style and shook her head, “Great, as if one of those personalities wasn’t enough.” “I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that one.” Zeru shot at her.

          “And for you, Landon,” Professor Birch started and Landon could feel his adrenaline rise. “Your personality is like water: calm and serene, but can become a mighty torrent of power almost without warning. You will be the first human this Poke’mon has ever seen.” He pointed to the last, lonely blue and white poke’ball with a raindrop symbol marked on it. Landon swallowed hard as he stepped up to the container. He reached in and wrapped his hand around the cold sphere. “Erm,” He pulled it out and gazed at it. “Hiraku, poke’ball,” At Landon’s command, the poke’ball burst open in a bright flash of light that dropped to the ground. The light danced a little, before taking form and flashing out. A little blue Poke’mon with a white belly stood on four legs before him. It had a big blue fin on its head and a big, white fin for a tail. The quadruped Poke’mon opened its brown eyes slowly, blending beautifully with the orange fins on its cheeks. The Poke’mon’s vision was blurry at first, then became focused on Landon’s shocked face. “…Mudkip!” It smiled and started wagging its tailfin happily at him. “This is Mudkip—a water-type Poke’mon.” Professor Birch enlightened him. “Oh,” Landon said, not sounding as enthused as he did before, “He’s…real cute,” “Your Mudkip is a she, not a he.” Professor Birch corrected Landon. “Mudkip…” Mudkip rubbed her cheek against Landon’s leg. “Oh—I almost forgot one final thing.” Professor Birch reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, red and black device. The insignia on the latch was poke’ball shaped and when it was flipped open, the inside revealed a blank screen and a few buttons on both sides. On the side with the screen were four buttons in the shape of arrows pointing in different directions, which were probably used for scrolling. “This is Poke’dex, a device that’s like a mechanical Poke’mon encyclopedia. Not only does it carry information on Poke’mon, but also caries your trainer license.” He gave the first one to Landon and dished out two more from his pocket to May and Zeru.

 

          “Bye!” “See ya’!” “Bye, dad!” The three waved goodbye to Professor Birch from outside his lab and started down the hill. “I’m so excited; tomorrow, we are official Poke’mon Trainers!” Zeru exclaimed, admiring his new Poke’dex. Their Poke’mon traveled beside them quietly. “I’m going to take the long way home. I’ll see you later.” Without another word, Landon walked towards the left, Mudkip happily skipping behind him. “Uhm…okay; we’ll tell your parents you’re on your way.” Zeru shouted to him.

          Even though the trees were full of Poke’mon, they were really quiet this time of day. The sun was slowly sinking behind the horizon in the sky. Landon walked backwards with his hands on the back of his head. He and Mudkip stared at each other without blinking. “Hmmm…” Landon stared at his Poke’mon more intently. Like a mirror, she stared at him back. They were as silent as the trees around them. Even Landon’s bookcase beat against his back without sound. “Are you going to…stare at me like that all day?” He finally asked. A wide smile spread on Mudkip’s face and her mahogany eyes glimmered largely. “Eh,” Landon closed his eyes and sweated anime style. “You know, no offense to you or anything, but you look a little too delicate to fight.” He said. “Mudkip?” Mudkip tilted her head to the side. “Can you understand me at all?” Mudkip just replied by wagging her tail wildly. “If you keep doing that, it’s gonna’ fly right off of you.” Landon told her and she stopped immediately. Landon reached into bookcase and pulled out his stress ball. “Hey, let’s play.” he tossed it out and his Poke’mon scampered off after it. He then turned around and stared up into the sky. “Darn, I guess I’m gonna’ have to tell Li that I won’t make it tomorrow.” Landon didn’t know what it was, but something didn’t seem to…well, connect with his new Poke’mon. She was so small, it didn’t seem like she could pose much a threat. But, if there was one thing Landon learned about Poke’mon was that size definitely wasn’t an issue. Maybe if he got to know his poke’pal a little better, the empty feeling would blow away.

          “KIIIIIIIPPPP!” Landon let his bookcase drop to the grass at the sound of Mudkip’s voice echoing against the trees. “Mudkip!” He grabbed his bokutou and started across the grass. The trees passed him by like brown and green blurs as he traced his Poke’mon’s voice. If anything happened to Mudkip, he’d never be able to even think of a Poke’mon ever again. He just got her and she was already getting into trouble. The farther Landon traveled, the steeper the trail became. “Kiiiippp!” Mudkip echoed again. “Hang in there, Mudkip!” Landon shouted back. Suddenly, the trees dispersed out of the way to reveal a large trench in the earth. Landon could hear the rushing water of the river splashing wildly against the rocky walls. He realized that he going way too fast and thrust his bokutou into the grass. Rocks and grass blades kicked up behind him until he slowed to a halt. “Whew!” Landon wiped the sweat from underneath his bangs. “Mudkip? Mudkip, are you around here?” He called. In response, whimpering came from over the edge. A frantic Landon crawled over to the side and looked down. Mudkip was grasping a thin twig sticking out of the cliff, hanging on for dear life. The ball Landon threw earlier was wedged securely between her teeth. The crashing current below her was ready to suck her up at any given instant. “Why did I even throw that stupid ball?” Landon smacked himself in the head. Mudkip was way too low for him to just reach down and grab her. There had to be some other way to get her back up safely. “…duh, Socrates,” He glanced at his bokutou.

         

          “Mudkip, spit out that ball and grab the sword.” Landon reached down to his Poke’mon with his bokutou. Mudkip spat the ball from her mouth, letting it get sucked up by the deadly current below her. Landon gulped at the thought of Mudkip being next. “Hurry it up!” “Mud…kip…” using one paw, she reached out to the sword beside her shakily. She did it slowly so as not to break her literal life-line from fast movements. SCRUNCH! “Ahhhhh!!!!” “MUDKIP!” The twig snapped loose from the cliff and Mudkip went flailing down towards the crashing rapids. “I’M NOT GONNA’ LOSE YOU!” Without thinking, Landon jumped off with his arms reaching out to his Poke’mon. The wind smacked his face and hair wildly, making it a little hard to see. He kicked to try and propel himself closer to Mudkip, but it made little difference. “My name is Landon Himura and I’m ten years old. I’ve had some pretty weird experiences ever since I moved to Littleroot town, but none were as cool as when I met my first Poke’mon. Too bad I had to be careless; thanks to that, both mine and my Poke’mon’s journey are gonna’ come to a crashing end.” Landon thought to himself. There was no way he was going to reach Mudkip in time. He just let his body drift downwards without attempting to go faster.

          “Mudkip-kip, Mudkip!” Suddenly, Landon’s hand brushed against Mudkip’s belly. Immediately, he reached out and grasped her around the waist. With a firm grip on his Poke’mon, he pulled her close to his stomach to use his body as a shield for her. “I’m so sorry, Mudkip. I hope that, if we do make it, you can forgive me.” He told her. Mudkip half-closed her eyes sentimentally and pulled herself closer to her trainer. If their adventure was to be short-lived, they would end it together. The world around them was blown into oblivion of black. The only ones who were still distinct were Landon and Mudkip. The mudfish Poke’mon looked up to see the crystal bell ringing silently against her trainer’s chest. “……it’s a bell that makes no sound?” “Huh!” Landon’s eyes snapped open. He looked down at Mudkip and she looked back at him. “…you just spoke!” They exclaimed to each other. Landon knew it was his weird bell that caused him to speak to Poke’mon. Even though it was his third time, he never really got used to it. “You…can understand me?” Mudkip asked. “Weird enough, yeah,” Landon replied, sweating anime style.



THIS IS THE END OF CHAPTER 3, PART ONE