Kenshin and the kid faced each other from opposite sides of the room. Landon and his friends observed silently. “This time, it’ll be different, Kenshin; you won’t beat me this time!” The kid boasted. He snatched a poke’ball from his belt and made it palm-sized. “Haaaaa!” “Wha!!” Landon, Toya, May, Zeru, Wally, and Shoura jumped as a man just fell from out of nowhere. He straightened his black and white shirt and dusted his black pants off. In his hands were two flags, one red and one green. “W-w-where did you come from?” Shoura blinked. “I’m the referee; I’m always around a gym.” The man said. Still, a man just appearing like that kinda’ disturbed them. Kenshin started to sweat anime style with his smile. “Ehem,” The ref. cleared his throat, “This will be a one-on-one battle between Bellmont and Kenshin…again. There will be no time limit; begin the battle.” Kenshin pulled a poke’ball from his sash. Landon and May had their Poke’dexes out and ready. “I choose the ever-popular Pikachu!” Bellmont threw his poke’ball onto the wooden floor and it burst open in a flash of light. The Poke’mon that came out was a yellow little rodent with long pointy ears tipped with black, three brown stripes on its back, red cheeks, and a lightning-bolt tail. “Pika…” Its ears drooped. To tell the truth, it didn’t look like it was thrilled to be thrown into battle. “I’ll use Vigoroth, that I will.” Kenshin simply tossed the poke’ball and a Poke’mon that looked like a cross between a monkey and a sloth emerged. It was snow-white in fur color except for its behind, the two brown stripes on its back, and the red tuft of hair on its head; its claws were clack and its eyes and mouth had a dark ring around them. “Vigoroth!” It flexed its muscles proudly as it kept fidgeting. There was a duo of beeps as Landon’s and May’s Poke’dexes blinked, “Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Poke’mon. Vigoroth is simply incapable of remaining still. Even when it tries to sleep, it will run wild for hours before it can settle down.” Then, there was another beep from the hand-held machines, “Pikachu, the mouse Poke’mon. This Poke’mon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged while it sleeps. It will discharge an eclectic shock as an equivalent to a yawn.” The only difference between the Pikachu on the Poke’dex was that Bellmont’s Pikachu had wild fur on the black ear-tips, a spiky tuft of hair, and white on its tail tip. Landon and May shut their Poke’dexes and re-pocketed them to watch the battle.

       “You can go ahead.” Kenshin allowed Bellmont to make the first move. “Okay, Pikachu, use your Thundershock attack!” He exclaimed. But instead of attacking, Bellmont’s frightened-looking Pikachu merely let out a few sparks. “What are you doing?! Use Thundershock now!” He hissed. “Piii…Kaachuuuu!!” Pikachu’s cheeks lit up with a high voltage, bursting with electricity. “Dodge it, Vigoroth.” Kenshin said with a smile. “Vigor-oth!” Vigoroth simple jumped aside to miss the bolt of lightning. “Ch-ch-ch-chuu!” Pikachu’s body shook as it became enshrouded by the shock it just sent. It seemed that it was shocking itself as well as trying to get its opponent. “Vigoroth, use Fury Swipes!” “Vigor-vigor-oth!!” Vigoroth brandished its knife-like claws and began a mad rush towards Pikachu. Bellmont clenched his fists and teeth, “Shock it down!!” He ordered. Still a little dizzy, Pikachu launched its shock attack, only to zap itself with the recoil. As for Vigoroth; it caught up to it all too quickly. Even by that small amount of battling, Landon came to realize he couldn’t compare to his father’s skill in his current state. He couldn’t explain it, but he could sense that Kenshin’s battling spirit was much greater than his own. He had to become stronger—wiser—before challenging this gym. Vigoroth swiped furiously at Pikachu with its claws, sending it sprawling to the ground. “Pi—pi,” It coughed. “Stupid Pikachu, can’t you do anything right?” Bellmont raged at it. “Hey, that was out of line.” “That wasn’t very nice.” May and Shoura said and the boys nodded. “There’s something weird…” Landon blinked. “What’s weird?” Zeru asked him. “It seems that Bellmont’s Pikachu hasn’t learned to control its electric attacks yet. It’s still faulted from the Pichu stage when they shock themselves with each electric discharge.” He told them. “Get to your feet, you wimpy mouse, and use Thunderbolt!” Bellmont spat. Kenshin let out a sigh and closed his eyes, “There’s just no hope for you right now, that there isn’t. Vigoroth, good job.” He walked over to his Poke’mon and patted it on its head. He pulled out his poke’ball and called Vigoroth back.

       “Hey! What are you doing, Kenshin?” Bellmont shouted, his eyebrow twitching angrily. “This match is over. You will never go far if you continue to treat your Poke’mon like that.” Kenshin told him simply.” “I don’t need you preaching at me!” Bellmont snapped, then rounded on his Poke’mon.  “You’re too much of a coward to be a great Poke’mon. You’re so scared to shock your opponent that you shock yourself. I can’t win like that!” His Pikachu cowered before him as he raised his hand at it. Landon’s reaction was so quick and sudden, he lost all control of his actions; there was the sound of steps and a loud CLACK! “Owww!!” Bellmont rubbed his sore hand. Kenshin couldn’t help but give a proud smile to his son. Pikachu dared to take a look up. Landon had his sword, which was still in the sheath, clenched in his hand. “Have you no decency? You’re treating this Pikachu like trash.  Doesn’t it mean anything to you?” “I don’t need tips from an amateur who can’t even keep his Mudkip in a poke’ball.” Bellmont glared, “You may be the gym leader’s son, but that doesn’t make you any greater than that wimpy mouse. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want to be its master.” He turned and started out the door when Zeru grabbed him by the shoulder, spun him around, and caught him about the shirt collar. “Don’t walk out on something you started. When you insult your Poke’mon, you get me angry. But when you insult my best friend, that really ticks me off!” He could’ve lifted him off the ground, but had to restrain. Bellmont’s eyes flickered with a little fear as he tried to feel the ground with his feet. Then, his face went serious again. “Yeah, well…y-you can keep that Pika-punk for all I care. A great warrior like me needs strong Poke’mon, not one that’s a coward.” With that, Bellmont stormed out with the door slamming behind him. “Bleh!” Landon stuck out his tongue. “Oh, yeah; real mature, Lan.” Shoura said. “As you can see, not all trainers treat their Poke’mon as they should.” Kenshin said, this time, without a smile.

       Landon looked down to the panting and trembling Pikachu. He picked it up and held it in his arms. “Piiikaaaaa!!” SPWERRRRR!! Pikachu sent an electric jolt through his body, “Whaaaaa! S-someone, c-c-catch!” He wanted to drop it so bad, but tossed it towards his friends instead. “Catch it?” Zeru looked at him skeptically. He, Shoura, and May jumped out of the way, leaving Wally to catch it. It was into his arms and a series of jolts through his body. Shaking, he set it on the ground all too quickly and it landed with a small thud. “That was really shocking…” The two boys coughed from the shock.

 

       Kenshin, May, Zeru, and Shooura sat at a table Kenshin had moved to the middle of the room, sipping tea and chatting silently. Meanwhile, Landon and Wally were at the other end of the gym. Thy just sat there, staring at the scared Pikachu Bellmont had left behind. The Poke’mon gazed back at them with a good deal of uncertainty as of what they were thinking. “I wonder if It’ll trust people again?” Wally broke the silence. “I’m not sure…” Landon said as he stroked Toya, who was resting in his lap. “I know; why don’t one of us try to take care of it?” Wally suggested. “That sounds like a good idea, but what if Pikachu doesn’t think it’s such a hot idea?” “Relax, Lan; I’m sure it won’t mind. Right, Pikachu?” Wally went to touch it, but Pikachu let off a couple of sparks, causing him to jump back. “Chuuu…” It whimpered. “Don’t jump back, Wally.” Landon told him; it was as if he could sense something—feel its fear—as if it were his own. He reached out his hand to it and watched Pikachu spark again. But Landon merely winced a little and continued to move closer. By now, Toya had leapt up from his lap and was hissing lowly at the Poke’mon threatening to shock her trainer. “C’mon, Wally,” Landon said and Wally started to reach as well. The electric mouse started to spark even more, its cheeks glowed a dim red. Even though sparks zapped their arms, Wally and Landon pressed their hands gingerly on Pikachu’s cheeks; in an instant, it blinked and let the sparks die down. Landon even got so far as to massaging its tens face. “Pi?” It looked up at them. “Hey Lan, I know what can decide who get’s to keep Pikachu.” Wally grinned. “You mean, a battle?” Landon grinned back and Wally nodded. At the word “battle”, all eyes averted their gaze to them.

       Landon and Wally walked to either side of the gym. A look of utter concentration and determination spread on their faces. On the sidelines, May, Zeru, Shoura, and Kenshin watched in interest. Landon felt a little bad since he had more battling experience than Wally. But then, maybe Wally would surprise him. BANG!! Suddenly, there was the loud explosion of the dojo door being smashed to splinters; a net with a rope at the end soared through the threshold and around Landon, Toya, and Pikachu. “What the—?” May, Zeru, Shoura, and Kenshin jumped up. “What a catch; like shooting fish in a barrel.” Yoshimari grinned as he reeled his catch in. “Who are you?!” Kenshin demanded. “Hehe!” (Background goes black with rocks shooting around like stars.) “A stealth like dark, we’re shadows of the night.” “Blanketing over those who do things right.” Yoshimari and Tsubimi started to spin around and around. “Where treasure glitters, we’re there to claim.” “To higher riches, we’ll surely aim.” They stopped and grinned. “Yoshimari!” “Tsubimi!” “We’re Team Darkhorn, the Pirate thieves.” “Don’t mess with us; you’re out of your league!” (Motto ends) “Cio!” And before anyone could do anything, Yoshimari and his sister held the net over their heads and sprinted down the sidewalk. “Landon!” Kenshin shouted and raced out with the kids lagging behind him. Landon’s body bumped against Toya and Pikachu at the rhythm of Team Darkhorns’ feet. Pikachu was letting out sparks and whimpering again. “You won’t keep us for long—huh?” Landon sweated anime style when he reached down to his side. “My sword! I must’ve left it back at the gym!” He gasped. He would have Tambourine bite or claw their way out, but the net was reinforced with steel wiring. He had no Poke’mon that could help him escape. “Don’t waste your time trying to escape; there’s nothing you can do.” Yoshimari stated. “Yeah, it’s time for some sweet payback.” Tsubimi told him triumphantly. “Hetan-Mitsurugi style—” Kenshin’s voice rang out from a distance behind them and Landon looked up. “Kohso-Ryusen!” In an instant, his father flashed in front of Yoshimari and Tsubimi and gave his sakaba-tou a swift swing. The two team members could only gasp in shock as a rush of wind blew over their heads. Landon and the Poke’mon felt it too just before the net binding them fell to pieces. “Do it, Ralts; Confusion!” Wally shouted, lagging behind May and Zeru. Ralts, who was sitting on his shoulder, held up its arm and its body became outlined in a purple aura. “Ack!!” Yoshimari and Tsubimi coughed as they were hurled into the air in a somewhat Team Rocket fashion. “I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!!” Their voices echoed distantly. “Whoa, not bad, Wally,” Landon complimented, getting to his feet. “It was Ralts, really.” Wally said. He and the other kids caught up to him and checked him over. “That was so cool, Dad; especially since I hardly get to see you do that!” Landon exclaimed to his dad. “Thank you, Koryu. Are you okay?” Kenshin asked him, checking him over as well. “I’m fine—just fine. How about you guys?” He turned to the Poke’mon. “Mudkip-mud!” Toya nodded with a smile. “Chuu…” Pikachu whimpered lowly. “At least you’re all safe.” Zeru said. “Against Team Darkhorn, anyone can survive.” Landon assured him. “Landon, about that battle,” Wally started, staring at the ground, “I want you to take Pikachu along with you.” “Huh? What do you mean?” Landon asked. “You and your friends have inspired me to try and start my own Poke’mon journey. I can make a good start with Ralts and learn just like you are. Why don’t you take Pikachu as a symbol of our friendship?” Wally lifted Pikachu from the ground. Surprisingly, it didn’t shock him. “Are you sure?” Landon blinked. “’How about it, Pikachu? You think you could start all over again with a new trainer?” Wally asked it. “Pii…” Pikachu looked from Wally to Landon as if it were making a choice. It then leapt from Wally’s arms, walked towards Landon, and turned its back on him with its tail pointed. “….we can be friends? Y0u’re willing to give me a chance?” “Pika,” Pikachu nodded and, seeming for the first time in its life, gave a smile. “Right, then,” Landon smiled back and grasped its tail in a sort of Poke’mon handshake. “Pi-pikachu!” In its happiness, Pikachu let a light electric current flow from its body to Landon’s. “W-w-w-w-whoa! That feels weird!” Landon’s voice shivered.

 

       Landon, May, Zeru, and Shoura stood with Kenshin and Wally in front of the Petalburg gym. The sinking sun painted the sky a beautiful orange, yellow, and crimson. “I know I still have a lot to learn about the world of Poke’mon, but I’ll do my best.” Landon told his dad, “And one day, I’ll come back and challenge you for my own gym badge.” A look of utter determination spread on his face. “I look forward to it. And I wish all of you good luck on your journey.” Kenshin said. “Hey, guys,” Shoura started, “I’m gonna’ stay with Wally.” “Huh!?” “What?!” Landon, May, and Zeru looked at her in disbelief. “Wally needs a partner on his journey, so I have to split up.” Shoura bowed politely to them. But instead of being angry, her friends gave her a warm smile. “We understand and good luck.” Zeru said. “Good luck to you three too. And the next time we meet, Lan, we’re rivals.” Wally held out his hand and Landon shook it. “Right, we’re rivals.” Then, he turned to Kenshin. “Tell everyone back at Littleroot we said hello.” “Indeed, I will,” Kenshin nodded to him. With that, Landon, May, and Zeru waved as they left down the sidewalk from the dojo behind.

 

(Landon knew he would have to fight his father someday and when that day finally came, he would be a stronger and smarter trainer. But until then, the memory of Petalburg would remain alive. Join us next time in “Poke’mon X”)


 

                                      “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 knew adventure I will face

Another chance at victory with Poke’mon!



This is the end of Chapter 6 Period. See ya' in Chapter 7!!