“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

 

                (Last time we left our heroes, Landon had stumbled onto some secret ruins along with his friend, Emily. Possibly, that cave may have a link to future events, but for now….) “Really, really hungry; feet aren’t moving anymore.” “Me neither!” “Mudkip-mud!” Zeru, Landon, and Toya fell onto the ground, their stomachs growling loudly. The sun shone through the trees and onto the dirt path the group was following to the next city. “Well, I told you two we should’ve re-stocked when we were in Odale Town, but you three were so insistent to go to Petalburg City first.” May sighed as she and Shoura walked up to them. “There she goes again. I wonder if there’s some kind of ‘off’ button on her.” CLACK!!! “Ouwwww!!!” Zeru crouched and rubbed the top of his tender head. May twirled a Japanese fan in her hands, grinning. “I agree with Zeru.” Landon sat up and took his Mudkip in his arms. She looked just as hungry as her trainer. “Poor Toya doesn’t look like she can hold out.” “Stop your belly-aching and let’s get going. Petalburg City isn’t that far from here.” Shoura took the lead in a Zeru sort of attitude, her hands on the back of her head. “C’mon, you’ve gotta’ have something in that backpack of yours.” “Don’t get your hopes up.” She told the boys flatly. While they walked past the underbrush, Team Darkhorn was sure to follow stealthily. “Target is in sight; I’m ready to go into pursuit.” Tsubimi spoke in her hand, crouching behind the bushes, “This is eagle one, over and out.” “Will you shut up!?” Yoshimari hissed, having enough sense to stand up verses crouching. His hands were folded and he frowned at his sister, “Can’t you be serious just for a second? Don’t you remember that Miru was utterly furious with us the last time we failed?” “Yeah, yeah, I know. But we’re not gonna’ mess up this time.” Tsubimi assured him, “We only messed up once—” “Twice,” “Twice! But we’ll bounce right back up. No one gets it right all the time, but what matters is that we keep trying, okay?” “…I guess so…” Yoshimari cast a glance off to the side. “Good, then let’s go catch those EX Poke’mon” With that, the two leapt into the still trees, chuckling lightly.

 

             
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 6: "The Electric Bond of Wally and Landon"

                Landon’s stomach rumbled against Toya’s body more and more the further they walked. He was so hungry, he felt like he could put an all-you-can-eat buffet out of business for at least a year. S a matter of fact, the only sound that could be heard from the silent group was the growling of Landon’s and Zeru’s stomachs. “I wonder how Indigo is doing; her father really chewed her out the other night.” Landon thought to himself. “Ooohaaa…” A groan sounded in their ears. “Stop whining!” May snapped. “But it wasn’t me—” “Oohaa…” It echoed again. “It’s coming from over there.” Shoura pointed to the bushes beside them. “Hey, is anyone out there?” The underbrush spoke and the group jumped a little. “Can you help me?” May walked up and pushed the bushes back. Sprawled on the ground was a young boy, about the groups’ age, holding his ankle shakily. His green hair as a little wild and his white shirt had a rip mark on the side. Right beside him was what looked like a large butterfly net. “Oh my—are you okay?” May gasped and went to help him up. “I bruised my ankle and can’t walk. You don’t think you can help me up, do you?” “Sure,” she took one hand and Zeru took the other. With a gentle, but mighty heave, they pulled the boy up and put his arms over their shoulders. “What were you doing out here?” Landon asked, picking up the net from the ground. “I was trying to catch some wild Poke’mon when I fell out of that tree. I guess I’m not very good at this.” The boy answered. “With a net?” Zeru blinked.

                They started walking on the trail again, a little bit slower because of their injured passenger. Landon tried to balance Toya in one arm and examine the net at the same time. There were some words scratched into the side that were fairly legible. “…your name is…Wally Landry?” “Yeah, how’d you know?” The boy looked back at Landon. “It’s on your net. Are you a Poke’mon trainer?” “No, but I wanna’ be one.” Wally replied. “Well you can’t do too much on that leg right now, so we’ll just take you to Petalburg City.” “Yeah, my dad lives there so he can help you.” Landon told him. “Hmm…long black hair…” Wally examined Landon closely. “…sword at his belt…I take it you’re the son of the gym leader?” “But how did you know that?” Landon blinked, a little impressed. “Everyone who knows Kenshin Himura knows his son, Landon Himura.” Wally said. “Are you from around here? Because that’s what it sounds like.” “Yeah, I live in Petalburg City.” He told Zeru.

               

                In the distance, the small yet lush city of Petalburg came into view. The group shuffled out of the trees and onto the cool cement sidewalk. “Wow, no wonder dad likes this place so much; it’s nice here.” Landon said to himself as they marveled at the beautiful houses and buildings. “I can’t wait to start shopping.” “Shoura, we can’t do that kind of shopping.” May snapped. “This time, you three are going to listen to me and stock up, okay?” “Yeah, yeah; we hear you.” Shoura, Landon, and Zeru sighed in unison, annoyed. “Don’t you ever give your mouth a break?” “I heard that!” May shot at Zeru. Wally couldn’t hold it in and started to chuckle a bit. “You four must have been friends for a long time. You fight like you’re almost a family.” He gave a warm smile to hide the wince he made from stepping on his injured foot. Landon’s eyes darted from the various merchandise in the windows of the Poke’marts and frowned that he couldn’t buy any of it. He saw a sweet blue mach bike gleaming in the window of a bike shop and glared jealousy. So many products to help Poke’mon Trainers, but they were utterly useless if one didn’t have the flashy green. “Where do you live at, Wally?” Zeru asked, his shoulder cramping from Wally’s weight. “Just keep walking down this street until you see the Petalburg City gym; I live close by” Wally replied.

                The Petalburg City gym building looked exactly like the Kamiya Dojo Karou taught at in Littleroot. The sun gleamed off the highly polished wood and the front door. It gave Landon the weird sense of home as they crossed the street to it.  He would’ve burst through the doors like crazy—he had never seen the inside of the gym before—but had to control the impulse to get Wally home. “My house is right there.” Wally nodded his head towards the green house next to the gym. The smell of tulips drifted from the front yard and flower pots decorating the window sill. A wooden welcome heart was tacked on the front door. “Wally, when you said that you lived closed to the gym, I didn’t think you meant right next to it.” May said skeptically. “Yeah, well, if you wanna’ point out every little detail. Just knock on the door and my dad should come.” Wally told her. Shoura brushed up to the front door and rapped on it rapidly. There were a couple of silent seconds before the door vibrated with a sudden rattle and swung open. “Yes?” His voice was as hearty as his stomach. His hair was just like Wally’s; wild and green. His yellow shirt and blue shorts reflected the sun so brightly that Landon thought it should’ve been illegal to wear them in the summer time. “Wally? What happened to your leg?!” He gasped. “I just fell and hurt my leg, Dad, but these Poke’mon trainers helped me here.” “C’mon, let’s get him in, shall we?” He helped May and Zeru carry Wally and they all walked inside the house.

 

                Unlike the outfit Wally’s dad wore, the living room invited a rushing fury of the blue ocean. Landon sat on the fluffy ocean blue couch that dipped under his weight and gazed at the wall decorated with model ships, some in bottles. The fresh sunlight streamed through the windows onto the ocean-waved carpet. May, Zeru, and Shoura took a seat besides Landon as Wally’s father propped his son in a reclining chair. Toya sat in front of her trainer, swishing her tail lightly. She was still very hungry, but her patience was applaud able. “I made sandwiches for the lot of you.” A thin, yet very pretty woman with long green hair stepped out of the other room. In her hands was a large silver platter that was over-piled to the top with triangle cut sandwiches. “Sorry they’re just sandwiches; you came on short notice so I had to find something quick.” She apologized. “No need to apologize, Mrs. Landry; when food talks, our stomachs walk!” “Mudkip!” Landon, Zeru, and Toya leapt up. Mrs. Landry set the platter on the coffee table with a warm smile. “Boys,” “They have stomachs for brains.” “But Toya’s a girl.” May said to Shoura. “Yeah, but her trainer’s a boy.” They looked to each other and sweated anime style. “I gotta’ let Tambourine out for this. Go, Tambourine!” Landon called his Furret from her poke’ball.

               

                Landon sat on the floor between his two Poke’mon. All three of them stuffed their faces in eagerness to fill the empty spaces in their stomachs. This made them way too busy for conversation. “There sure are a lot of ships in your house, Mr. Landry. As a matter of fact, your entire house looks like the ocean.” May observed the decorative ships. She was the only one out of the group deft to talking since everyone else was still stuffing their mouths. “Yeah, my family and I traveled to Slateport City last year and I sorta’, kinda’ got carried away with the souvenirs.” Mr. Landry replied to her. “Slateport…that’s where it’s rumored that a secret project is being held, right?” “Yeah, something like that. Anyway, I’d like to thank you for helping my son, Wally.” Mr. Landry changed the subject rather hastily. “You see, Marion and I worry about Wally because he’s…well…” “I’m afraid he’s not as strong as most kids.” Wally answered for his father. “I really want to become a Poke’mon Trainer, but I’m just a little weak. But if I were to catch a Poke’mon of my very own, I could be just as good as anyone.” He stood up on his feet and winced a little. “Wally—” “Mayve you should sit down.” His parents started, but he shook his head. “I wanna’ go out and try again; I’m going to go back a catch a Poke’mon.” “Your not going anywhere on that leg, young man!” His mother said in a “final” tone of voice, “We keep trying to buy Wally a Poke’mon, but he insists that he catches one on his own.” Landon stood up and finished off another sandwich. “Do you really want to catch a Poke’mon, Wally?” He asked Wally. “Yeah, I really want to!” Wally clenched his fists with excitement. “Then while my friends are out and about, I can help you catch a Poke’mon,” Then he added hastily, “If it’s all right with your parents, of course.” “So how about it, Marion?” Mr. Landry turned to his wife. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Landry; he’s gonna’ be fine.” Landon slapped Wally on the back and Wally winced slightly. “Ooops…uh, sorry about that, Wally.” “What a character,” Zeru shook his head.

 

                The damp smell in the morning air smacked the two boys in the face as the sun’s rays peeped through holes in the clouds. Wally didn’t dare walk too fast for the sake of his leg. Landon was, once again, admiring the stores filled with “over-priced” items he wanted so badly. He barely seemed to notice Toya, who was in his arms, playing with the Crystal Bell like a kitten would a ball of yarn. Tambourine smiled while she trotted along after her trainer. “So, Landon, do you think you can really help me catch a Poke’mon?” Wally asked after a moment of silence. “Uh…I think so.” Landon replied, feeling a little guilty. “What do you mean?” “You see, this will be the first time for me, too, and I thought I’d learn with you.” He sweated anime style. “But that means there’s no guarantee!” Wally exclaimed worriedly. “Oh, there’s a guarantee. Just take these—you’re gonna’ need ‘em.” Landon used his free hand to dig into his backpack and pulled out two small Poke’balls. Wally took them, slipping them into his pocket. They stepped off from the city and onto route one-o-two, the path Landon and his friends had taken to get to Petalburg. “Here; take Toya and have her help you catch a wild Poke’mon.” Landon gingerly held Toya out and Wally took her just as carefully. “You’re letting me use one of your Poke’mon?” Wally asked in disbelief. “How else are you supposed to catch one?” “Thanks a bunch, Landon!” He smiled. He started to push through the bushes in a frantic search for any wild Poke’mon. He didn’t care what kind he got, as long as he had one. Landon watched him on and off, but occasionally glanced off at the side to find a wild Poke’mon for himself. He wondered what kind of Poke’mon roamed this part of Hoenn.

       After a little bit of rummaging through the bushes and shrubs, Landon and Wally started to grow a little bored. “Aww, man! I thought that we’d be able to find a whole bunch of wild Poke’mon around here.” Wally complained, sifting through another bush. Landon stared up at the trees airily, letting out a small yawn as Tambourine and Toya sat next to him, just as bored. “If I would’ve known it was gonna’ take this long, I would’ve forced May, Zeru, and Shoura to come.” He thought to himself. Wally got off his knees and walked up to Landon, sighing. “It’s no use, Landon; I can’t find any Poke’—” “Zagoon!” A voice sounded. One of the bushes shifted a little before a bristly Poke’mon poked its head out. Its fur was an alternating ring of bristly white and brown; its eyes were masked like a raccoon and its black nose was just as dark. “It’s about time.” Landon pulled his Poke’dex from his pocket. “Zigzagoon, the Tiny raccoon Poke’mon. This field Poke’mon’s hair bristles like that of a porcupine. If it feels threatened, it will play dead.” “You can take it from here, Wally.” Landon pocketed his Poke’dex. “Uhm…okay, Toya, I guess a Tackle will work.” Wally said, a little unsure of himself. “Mud,” Toya sprinted towards the bushes at Zigzagoon. It was kind of awkward for her to take orders from someone besides Landon. She launched her body into Zigzagoon, who staggered backwards out of the bushes. “Zagoon-zagoon!” It got to its feet and growled at her. “Zigi!” Without warning, Zigzagoon turned tail and started to dart away from them. “Hey wait; don’t go!” Wally ran after it, but it vanished into the bushes. “Crud! I missed my chance!” He beat the ground with his foot. Landon walked over to him and patted his shoulder, “You can’t let them run away like that. Now go try again.” Wally nodded and went towards some more bushes to search. “There’s got to be a Poke’mon that won’t run from me.” He thought to himself as he pushed the shrub leaves out of the way. His hand suddenly hit something smooth and he pushed it off to the side. “Raaaalaaa!” It staggered back onto the ground beside him.

       “Oh!” Wally jumped back from the Poke’mon he just flung. It looked like it was wearing long white Pajamas and a green helmet of hair that covered its eyes. Sticking out of its head were two rounded triangular thorns, red in color. But instead of retreating or attacking, the Poke’mon just stood there and stared. Wally stared back at it without blinking. Beep! “Ralts, the Feeling Poke’mon. Ralts has the ability to psychically sense their trainers’ emotions. If their environment is sad, then they become sad as well.” Landon’s Poke’dex spoke. “Okay, Wally, don’t let this one get away.” He said. But instead of using Toya, Wally reached into his pocket and pulled out a poke’ball. Even though his action seemed weird, Landon still looked on with interest. “I don’t think I have to use Toya for this one, Lan. I can’t explain it, but it’s just a feeling.” Wally pressed the button in the middle and the poke’ball became palm-sized. Ralts didn’t even dare to move; Landon couldn’t tell if it was confused or scared. Maybe it was even egging Wally on. Wally and Ralts played a kind of staring game as they remained silent at each other. Now, it was just becoming plain creepy. “…Go, poke’ball!” Wally hurled the poke’ball through the air and watched it spin to its target; it bounced a little off of Ralts’s head before sucking it up in a bright red light. It dropped to the grass, wiggling and bouncing. “C’mon…” Wally watched it closely. It shook a little bit more before the button in the middle flashed red. “That’s odd; I was always taught that a Poke’mon had to be weakened first.” Landon spoke to himself. Wally walked over and claimed his catch. “Oh, yeah! I caught Ralts!” He held the Poke’ball into the air, allowing the sun to gleam off of it. “Congratulations, Wally,” Landon smiled.

 

       “Finally, we’re done.” Zeru stated as he, Shoura, and May stepped out of the grocery store. “Oh, shut up!” May smacked her hand with her Japanese fan. “Hey, look; there’s Landon and Wally!” Shoura pointed to the distance. Landon and Wally were walking towards them on the opposite sidewalk. “How’s your leg, Wally?” Landon asked. “It’s fine, thanks.” “Is it good enough to run on?” “We could see.” Wally told him. Landon cupped his hands around his mouth, “We’re heading towards Dad’s gym. We’ll meet you there!” He waved to them and he, Wally, and Toya started to sprint down the sidewalk. “But Lan…That’s just like a boy; they always seem to duck out on you when there’s shopping to be done….” From out the corner of her eye, May saw Zeru try to tiptoe away from her quietly. CLACK!! “You’re a violent little girl, May!” Zeru rubbed his head from her fan attack.

       The kids ran through Petalburg and stopped in front of the dojo-like gym that Kenshin owned; Landon pulled open the sliding door a little and the five peaked in. The wooden floor was highly polished and shone from the sunlight resting on it. A small table and cushion were neatly placed in a corner and there ere two doors at the end wall. Both had a scroll on them designed with Japanese Kanji stating, “Speed Room” on the left and “Strength Room” on the right. However, beautiful the inside of the gym seemed, it was as empty as the silence that filled it. “It’s so…empty.” Shoura’s voice echoed. She watched as Landon took off his shoes and stepped in first. Wally did the same, then May, then Zeru. As she was the last to enter, she slid the door shut behind her. SWAAAA!! The five glanced back at the sound of the sliding doors opening. He looked a little confused as the sun gleamed off his carrot-colored hair. Under his arms was a couple of brown paper bags filled with all sorts of vegetables. “Oro?” Kenshin blinked. “Hey, Dad! Just thought I’d pay ya’ a visit!” Landon smiled. Kenshin still looked taken aback. The kids remained in shock as well; they felt like a criminal caught breaking and entering. “How did you guys get in?” Kenshin blinked. “The door was unlocked, so we just walked in.” His eyes went from Shoura to Landon and he smiled. “I was beginning to wonder when you’d make it here. I’ll make you all some tea. Wanna’ help, Koryu?” “Yeah!” Landon jumped up.

       Landon took a seat on the floor next to his friends near the wall. A cup of smoking green tea sat in front of them. Kenshin, who had the tea kettle on a portable stove, mixed the tea and hot water and went to join them. “So, how have you all been? I trust your journey has been going smoothly?” Kenshin asked them. “Yeah, Dad; it’s been great so far…” And Landon started to go into detail about the adventures he and his friends had on their way to Petalburg. He explained from when he got Tambourine to the fights with Team Darkhorn, being careful to leave any story with Indigo in it out. “It sounds like you’ve already encountered a lot so far.” Kenshin took a sip of his tea. “This is a great city, Dad…but there’s another reason why I came here.” Landon stared at the ground. How could he say this? He wanted to challenge his father for his first gym badge, but wasn’t as sure as he felt when he was traveling to Petalburg City. He had heard rumors about his father’s superb Poke’mon skills. Could he, a sort of an upstart trainer, actually have the mordacity to challenge Kenshin? “Oro?” Kenshin blinked. “Well, I chal—” Suddenly, the door to the dojo slid 0open with a loud clack and all eyes wandered back. The boy had short blue hair and green eyes. He wore silver goggles on his head, a blue long-sleeved shirt, and black shorts. “I’ve finally caught up with you, Kenshin!” He shouted, “And the day has come for me to beat you and earn my Balance badge.” Without losing his smile, Kenshin sat his cup of tea down and stood up. “Could you excuse me for a minute, Lan?” “Sure,” And why not? Landon decided he could use this opportunity to finally see how his dad battled.




This is the end of Chapter 6, Part 1