Team Darkhorn peeped into the window of the house quietly. They watched Anna present the berries the kids and their Poke’mon. Zeru and May pushed up their sleeves to help the lady blend the berries into perfume. “So, with one of the losers down, how are we gonna’ get the drop on them?” Yoshimari asked his sister. Tsubimi gave a grin, “Whit a little book I picked up.” She reached into the bushes and pulled out a black book stamped with a red “R” in the middle. “What’s that?” Yoshimari blinked. “This is the Team Rocket’s Guide to Disguises, version one. It’ll choose a disguise fo us.” “Really? Let’s see it then.” The two flipped open the book and started reading silently. As they did so, Zeru blended the berries into juice with something that looked like a pepper grinder. May sorted out the berries from one another and Anna was mixing some kind of clear liquid in a bowl. Toya sat at the window with a worried expression on her face. She wished she would’ve been the one to follow Landon instead of Vulpix. “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but this seems really simple.” Zeru stated. “In some ways, it is. The hardest part is actually producing the smell, which requires strategy berry combinations.” Anna explained to him. “What’s that stuff you’re mixing, Ms. Anna?” May asked, peering into the bowl. “This is a kind of repellant mixture.” She told her, “Some Poke’mon could become aggressive by the scents these perfumes produce, so I create my own special repellant to mix with the perfume. The ones on the counter still need some of this to be added, which is why I’m making a whole bowlful.” Toya let her tail swish airily. She gazed up at the sky with a yawn. TUNK-THUNK-THUNK! “Kip?” She perked up from a knock at the door. Maybe it was Landon knocking. Immediately, Toya jumped down and started scratching at the door. Anna walked from the kitchen and opened the door. At the threshold, Yoshimari and Tsubimi stood, wearing a pair of black pants and shirt under their long blue jackets. In their left hands was a silvery briefcase. “Can I help you?” Anna asked. “Yes you sure can,” Yoshimari pushed his glasses further up on his nose, “We are students of the Be-somebody company of Perfume.” “We heard you were an expert and want you to examine our work.” Tsubimi stated. “Really? I’ve never heard of such a company.” Anna stated. “Dah!” Team Darkhorn jumped, sweating anime style. “Well…..uh—” “It’s a very private institute.” Yoshimari added hastily. “Oh….if you’re student, then come in and show me your work.” Anna smiled and stepped aside. Yoshimari and Tsubimi grinned to each other and walked into the house. Toya blinked at them with a skeptically look. May, Zeru, and their Poke’mon took a peak form the kitchen. “Let us show you what we have so far.” Tsubimi held her case up first, followed by her brother. With a grin, they counted, “Three—” “—two—” “—and one!” BAAKOOOOM!! The cases burst open in a rush of smoke, blasting out a duo of nets. “Hah!” Zeru gasped, trying to see trough the smoke. The nets wrapped around the humans and the Poke’mon securely. “Those aren’t students!” Anna stated as the smoke cleared. “What was your first clue?” There was the rustling of fabric as Team Darkhorn’s disguise fluttered into the air. Now, they were back in their normal uniforms. “Are you guys back?” May growled. “We are persistent.”

 

       Landon walked in silence through the quiet forest trail, his eyes never leaving the ground. He was so deep in thought, he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going. With his hands in his pocket, he let out a sig. his heart felt heavy—like a brick that would fall any minute. His stomach seized his body with a hot-cold tension. “Maybe….Vulpix wasn’t ever really….she looked so happy with Anna—they were like siblings. That’s a happiness I could never give her.”  He thought to himself, “She already has a trainer……”  Every time he thought of Anna, his heart squeezed up on him. If Vulpix already had a real trainer, what was he? His heart nagged at him, but he refused to listen to it. Normally, he would be happy about something like that. But he couldn’t even break a smile now. It was as if he was losing a friend to this skeptical voice that had been lying dormant.“It was strange how we met…” Landon let his mind flash back to when he first reeled Vulpix in. “It could be possible that I wasn’t meant to be her trainer, but to bring her….no—I’ve established a link with her, though, through the Crystal Bell…..or perhaps I can’t help, but be a little selfish—” “WHAAAAAAAAH!” “Huh!”  Landon looked up in alarm. Even deep within the forest, he could hear Anna’s distinguishing screen clearly. And by the sounds of it, she was in some sort of trouble. “Ms. Anna! May! Zeru!” He exclaimed in his turn, “Something’s wrong—I’ve gotta’ get back to the house!” Landon started to sprint back down the forest trail. He hadn’t realized he had wandered so far into the forest. He panted as his footsteps made rapid stomps on the dirt. “Bzzzzzzz!” “Whoa!” Landon slid to a sudden halt, clenching his teeth a bit fearfully. Fluttering before him was a swarm of dark-yellow Beedrill. They stared at him with those aggressive crimson eyes; their wings beat the air dangerously. One glance at a couple of their sides showed a couple of burn marks on them. “Those Beedrill—they’re the same ones frm before!” Landon thought to himself, “They must’ve been attracted by the screams I made.” The Beedrill poised their stingers to attack and he started to sweat anime style. His side felt naked without his sword. All he did was stay frozen in place. “BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!” The Beedrill cried sharply and sped towards him with their poisonous stingers poised. Like a computer, Landon’s body locked up—he wanted to move, but couldn’t! He was about to become a Beedrill’s pin-cushion!

 

       “Yaaaaah—” “Vulll!” SPWAAAAA!! Landon couldn’t believe his eyes; from out of nowhere, a burst of flames shot between himself and the Beedrill. “Vulpix!” Vulpix landed in front of Landon. She hissed angrily at the bee Poke’mon in defense for her trainer. “…….Vulpix……” Landon squeaked. His eyes started to tremble with a few tears clinging form the bottom. “She….she came to save me….” He smiled and wiped the water from his eyes. A feeling in his heart hinted that this may very well be the last battle they face together. “Well….i had better make the most of this.” Vulpix glanced back at him with a concerned look. She understood what was going on inside his head nodded to him. Landon nodded back and allowed his expression to turn serious. “Let’s do this, Vulpix! Crystal EX Activate!” The Crystal Bell burst with a bright ice-blue light; Landon’s hair turned light blue and started to sway as if a breeze was blowing. Both his and Vulpix’s eyes turned blue as well. “Bzzzzzzz!” The Beedrill buzzed dangerously, darting forward with their needles poised for attack. Landon and Vulpix closed their eyes. They could hear their hearts—their breathing—act as one. The air around them became heated with their energy. With a ghastly whistle, a bluish-purple flame faded into appearance beside Vulpix. Another whistle sounded beside Landon as a flame neared him as well. In no time, purple flames appeared all around the area. “Bzzzzz!” The Beedrill beat against the air madly, closing in for the sting. Suddenly, Vulpix and Landon snapped back to reality; immediately, the flames shot through the air in a dangerous array. “Beeedrillll!” Singe sounds smoked up as the Beedrill were lightly scorched. The swarm of bee Poke’mon all turned-tail and fluttered through the branches from the fear of getting burned. “We did it, Vulpix!” Landon exclaimed. “Vulpix!” Vulpix smiled in triumph. “Now, let’s get to Ms. Anna and the others.” She nodded and jumped onto her trainer’s shoulder. Landon took off running again. He still had that heavy falling in his heart, but with Vulpix on his shoulder, he didn’t feel as bad.

 

       Landon panted as he dashed up the final streak of the forest trail. He burst through the trees and onto the flat and vast land by the lake. In the distance, he could see Anna’s house. And above it, a black helicopter with a tan triceratops symbol; Team Darkhorn held onto a rope-ladder attached to the bottom. At the base of the ladder, a giant net held May, Zeru, Anna, the Poke’mon, and the unfinished perfume. Not to mention Landon’s backpack. “What do you plan to do with us?” Anna asked as Zeru tired to wrestle his way free of the net. “We don’t plan on doing anything with you.” Tsubimi told the humans flatly, “We’re just gonna’ dump you there somewhere else and keep everything else.” “Yeah, right!” Zeru shouted and started to wrestle with the wiring even more. “You might as well save your breath; there’s no way you can break out of that re-enforced net.” Yoshimari told him. Toya let out a sigh and glanced out to the distance. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her and rubbed them. “Kip?” She blinked—and he was still there! Landon came rushing down the trail with his teeth clenched. “Mudkip—Mudkip!” Toya jumped excitedly, averting everyone’s attention. “Hey, its Landon!” May exclaimed. “Good job, Yoko.” Anna smiled to herself. Landon wasn’t really had to miss with his hair glowing like a far-away star. Team Darkhorn frowned—they thought that they were going to have one easy haul for once. “We don’t have time to waste, sis; we need to get away now!” Yoshimari warned and his sister nodded in agreement. The two started to work their way up the ladder and to the cockpit of the helicopter. Landon frowned at them, picking up a little more speed. “Yoko Flame attack!” He exclaimed. Vulpix’s eyes flashed; an army of purplish-blue flames faded into appearance and rushed forward. “Oh-no!” Tsubimi shrieked, both she and her brother sweating anime style. The fire singed through the ladder and nets, snapping them. “AAAAHH!” THUD! “Ooo,” Landon slid to a halt, sweating anime style. Everyone had landed on the ground with a harsh thud. “Sorry about that.” He told them. Yoshimari and Tsubimi jumped up, their temples beating against their heads. “We are way too close to winning to give up now!” Tsubimi stated, reaching for a poke’ball. “We’ll force our way to victory!” Yoshimari did the same. “I choose Loudred!” “I call Aipom!” They tossed them through the air and they burst open in a flash of light. “Loudred!” “Pom—Aipom!” Loudred flexed its muscles and Aipom clambered up to its shoulders. “Vulpix, let’s send them flying with a team Yoko Flame attack.” Landon said to his Poke’mon. Vulpix jumped off his shoulder and onto the pathway. “Vulpix-vul!” She frowned. Once again, millions of bluish-purple flames appeared into thin air. Landon raised his hand and pointed his index finger. A group of flames gathered around both it and Vulpix’s body. “Go!” Landon exclaimed. The ghastly flames all launched their way though the air and exploded near Loudred and Aipom. KABOOOM! There was an explosion from the gathering fire that went both Team Darkhorn and their helicopter flying high into the air. “Not again-not again-not again!” Tsubimi shook her head, which was covered in black soot. “This is getting old.” “Aipom!” “Loudred!” Aipom and Loudred agreed with Yoshimari. Their faces were covered in black soot as well. Team Darkhorn disappeared into the distance in a speck of light.

       Landon smiled as he watched the triumph of he and his Poke’mon. With a short sigh, he allowed his EX to become dormant once more. “Nice job, Vulpix; I’m very proud of—” But when he looked down, Vulpix was gone. Instead, she was frantically trying to untangle Anna from the net she burned. May, Zeru, and the Poke’mon had already found their way out of the net. “Mudkip!” Toya scampered across the trail and leapt into her trainer’s arms. “Kip-kip-kip-kip!” She was so happy to see him, she affectionately rubbed her cheek against his arm.  However, the expression on Landon’s face wasn’t as cheerful as Toya’s. it presented both a deep-in-thought look and a bit of pain. His emotions were once again churning inside his chest; he felt he could’ve fallen in his place from the heaviness in his heart. “Oh, thank you, Yoko!” Anna exclaimed and pulled Vulpix into a hug. The fox Poke’mon obtained her blissful and cheery look again, lapping up the lady’s cheek. Zeru, May, Phealine, and Phanpy smiled at them. Every second watched caused Landon’s insides to squeeze with a hot-cold sensation. He gave another sigh; he knew what he had to do. As Vulpix’s trainer—no, her friend—he had to concern himself with her happiness. He knew he’d have to do it ever since he saw Vulpix and Anna together, but didn’t have the heart to admit it. As he slowly walked forward, he hid his eyes underneath his bangs. Each step became heavier than the last. Nevertheless, he forced himself to continue its course. He only allowed himself one sniffle. Toya looked up at him with sad eyes. She could feel everything that he was feeling and couldn’t help but utter a little cry at his torrent of feelings. When Landon was close to his friends, he set Toya on the ground gently. He then got to one knee with Vulpix before him. “Vulpix?” She turned around to him, trying to see his eyes under his bangs. “What’s up, Landon?” May asked curiously. Landon swallowed as he prepared to make the largest decision he had ever made in his life. “Vulpix….I’m going to leave you here with Ms. Anna.” “Dah!” The other gasped. Landon felt an arrow of emoting pierce his heart with lightning speed. Vulpix felt as if someone had weighed her heart down with a load of bricks. The combination of shock and sadness struck her so suddenly, she didn’t know how to react. “You can’t be serious!” Zeru exclaimed. “Lan, please reconsider your choice.” “Yes, Landon; are you sure that’s what you want?” May and Anna stated to him. “Listen; Vulpix obviously misses Ms. Anna because she was originally her Poke’mon. If I continue on with Vulpix, I’d be destroying their bond. Vulpix would be happier with Anna and if I want to truly call myself her trainer, I’d do what makes her happiest.” Landon said in a much clearer voice than before. “You’re crazy! What about all the good times you and Vulpix shared? Do those mean anything to you?” Zeru asked with a stern frown. Landon made a facial gesture to show he was a bit taken aback by his best friend’s words. “All of the times are very special to me, which is why we have to separate.”

        Landon couldn’t bare to say anything else. If he did, he would surely start to cry. Even in his silence, he couldn’t choke back the tears well enough. Vulpix stared at him, her eyes trembling with emotion. “Vul…” She whispered. Landon, whose eyes were still hidden, stood up and slung his backpack on his back. “Please, excuse me.” He said and started to walk away. He didn’t want Vulpix—or anyone else for that matter—see him sob. If they did, they might feel sorry for him and coax him to change his mind. There was no time for second thoughts; he had done what needed to be done. Toya was the first to start crying, letting her tears soak into the grass. May and Anna gave their friend sad, concerned looks. Zeru just folded his arms; it was obviously his way of showing concern. With her eyes so close to the waterworks, Vulpix trotted forward after Landon. “Vulpix!” She slid to a stop in front of Landon to show him her eyes. She could care less if she held back her tears or not; she wanted him to look directly at her. Landon stopped in silence for a minute, feeling a bit uneasy. “…..Vulpix,” He knelt down to the fox Poke’mon and revealed his eyes. His cheeks were a little tear-stained and water still dripped a little. “If you want to stay with Anna, stay. Remember that we’re friends—and friends never really leave each other’s hearts.” The smile Landon gave forced another tear from his eye. “Pix,” One of Vulpix’s curly orange tails stretched out and wiped the drip form his face. “….Vulpix….” Landon’s mind flashbacked to the many battles they’ve had; the contest they took part in; the gym badge he would have never received without her; and the many times they thwarted Team Darkhorn’s plans. She meant a lot to him and letting her go had to be the hardest thing he had ever done.

       “Didn’t it ever occur to him how Vulpix would feel if he wasn’t around her anymore?” Zeru questioned. “She must be happier with Anna….because she was her first friend. Landon is more in tune with the feelings of Poke’mon than most people—he would know.” May told him.

       “Vulpix, this is for you.” Landon reached into his backpack and pulled out the third-place ribbon from the Poke’mon contest. He tied it around Vulpix’s ear and felt himself become emotional again. “That way, you will never forted me—” Vulpix failed to assert control over herself; her eyes were trembling like rain clouds ready to burst. “I could never forget you!” She let herself go and threw her body into Landon’s arms. Landon let his tears rain on her back like tiny beads. “Landon….”” May put her hand on Landon’s shoulder. “Landon, I promise you that you will see Yoko again.” Anna told him in a serious voice, indicating that she planned to keep that promise. “Thanks, Ms. Anna.” Landon forced a smile. Even though it hurt him to leave Vulpix, he knew their friendship would burn forever.

 

       Anna and Vulpix waved goodbye to the three humans. Vulpix was happy to be with her original trainer, but devastated that she had to leave her new one. Landon walked in front of May and Zeru silently. Once again, his eyes were hidden underneath his bangs. Even tough he was happy for Vulpix, letting her go left a hole in his heart. Toya was looking at her trainer with a sympathetic look. She wished so hard that he would stop feeling sad. “Mudkip,” She gingerly caressed his cheek with her tongue. Landon took her in his arms without looking and held her close. “Landon, is there anything I can do?” Zeru said, ready to jump at his best friend’s request. “No thank you, Zeru. I can cope—just give me a minute.” Landon replied. (Making choices isn’t always easy. The path down life is always full of bumps. But this is how we learn—this is how we grow. And I’d say that Landon has done some considerable growing on this day. However, by distancing themselves, Lan and Vulpix will always keep each other close to their hearts.)

 

Fast Fact answer: If you haven’t guessed already, Landon was acting so weird because of the loss of his Vulpix. 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!



THI IS THE END OF THIS EPISODE.