Our heroes continue on with their journey as they are getting close to Ceruso City for Davis first gym battle.

"We're almost there." Cletus guided. "Once we get over this mountain, we'll be in Ceruso City."

"Great! I can't wait for my first gym battle I Grecko!" Davis claimed since he was excited for it.

"And we now know its specialty is with bug-types. We'll be ready for that." Imperialdramon claimed.

"I can't wait to see what areal gym is like."Terra said as they were all getting excited for that. Just then,she noticed something. "Hey, what's with that building over there?" All of them looked and saw a Japanese building in the middle of the woods.

"Don't know, but there's one way to find out." Davis said as this might be something interesting.

I want to be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

(Pokemon!)

Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day to claim my rightful place

(Yeah!)

Pokemon

Gotta catch'em all

Oh, so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, I'll teach you

Po-ke-mon

Pokémon!

(Davis' voice): Step to Your Own Strike

Davis and the others hurried over to the building. When they arrived, they saw a bunch of trainers with a vast amount of a strange pokemon. They all looked like they were doing various exercises for kendo.

"What are they doing?" Terra questioned.

"It looks like kendo. Is this some sort of dojo?" Cletus questioned.

"You got that right. This is the Kendomy Dojo!" They all turned around and were met with a guy dressed like a martial artist with a ribbon tied around his head with brown spiked hair. Standing with him is the same pokemon.

"Did you say the Kendomy Dojo? What is a Kendomy?" Davis questioned.

"Are you dense? That's this pokemon." The guy claimed as he referred to his pokemon. It looked just like a training mannequin dressed in kendo gear that was about the size of a child. with glowing yellow eyes under the mask and actually had horns. Even carried a kendo sword.

"Kendomy."

"Almost looks like a Kotemon." Imperialdramon mumbled with Davis pulling out his pokedex.

"Kendomy, the Kendo Pokemon. A fighting-type. Kendomy train with kendo moves constantly to improve both their muscles and mind. They never remove their kendo gear."

"This is a dojo to train both Kendomy and their trainers. My name is Daniel, one of the best students here."

"You mean this whole place is designed after one pokemon?" Terra questioned.

"must have been the founder's favorite, or have a respect the art of kendo." Cletus said. "Kendo is an ancient art and tutoring of sword fighting that's lasted for many generations. It's well respected."

"Cody would love this place." Davis claimed.

"Now, why are you all here? You're disturbing our training." Daniel said as he was getting irritated with the others getting unsettled. "Either get in line or get out!"

"Daniel, that isn't nice." That was when the sensei of this place stepped forward. He was an elderly man dressed in a beige kimono, long grey beard, and his hair tied in a bun. Walking around with a cane, he stopped something before it even got started. "I'm sorry about him. Daniel can be a bit of a hothead."

"I'm sorry Sensei Chun. It's just they are disturbing our training." Daniel said as he and Kendomy bowed to him.

"We're sorry. We were furious about the place and just came to check it out." Cletus said.

"There's nothing to be sorry about." Chun said. "Daniel has a bad habit of jumping the gun. Please, come in and I'll treat you to some tea." That sounded rather nice as they all took the offer and stepped in. Chun took them to a dining hall and treated all of them to some tea. "So, you are curious about our dojo? Our dojo teaches the same lessons you learn in kendo. We accept those with a Kendomy because a Kendomy lives by the way of kendo."

"It must be popular with so many people out there." Terra said.

"Of course it is because the lessons taught here make one stronger!" Daniel claimed.

"Kendomy!"

"That is not all, Daniel. I've told you that it's not just about strength here." Chun claimed. "Our dojo also teaches discipline and strengthens the mind as well as the body. Something you continue to lack."

"But I'm our best battler, Sensei!" Daniel claimed. "Kendomy and I have trained hard and and continue to win our battles. Why do you continue to be displeased?" He wants to make his teacher proud, but Chun continues to be displeased. He won't even give him an answer and just sipped his tea.

"So you think you're strong? I would like to see how strong." Davis said. "How about a battle?"

"It would be interesting to see the lessons of this place in action." Cletus said.

"Wait a minute. Davis, let me battle him." Terra said as they didn't expect that. "I want to try battling myself. This is a good chance."

"Are you sure?" Davis questioned.

"I think we should. It will be a good experience for her." Cletus said.

"Perfect! I will win and show you that I know what I'm doing, Sensei." Daniel said, but Chun has his doubts.

...

The Battlefield

Terra was excited to have her first battle as a trainer. The two stood facing each other and could now have a battle.

"Pocub, let's do this!" Terra called as she released her partner

"Pocub!"

"You are aware you're at a disadvantage, right? Well, you're asking for it." Daniel claimed.

"Time for our first battle, Pocub! Let's start with Scratch!" Terra ordered. Pocub changed right in with nails sticking out of its paw.

"Fury Attack!" Daniel ordered.

"Kendomy!" Kendomy was able to land a series of strikes before Pocub could land its own.

"Now use Knock Off!" Daniel said. Kendomy took the kendo sword and smashed it right against Pocub's head.

"Powder Snow!" Terra called. Pocub battled back by breathing out snow, but the attack just bounced right off Kendomy.

"Now use Headbutt!" Daniel ordered. Kendomy fought ahead and smashed its head against Pocub. "Fury Attack!" Kendomy kept the attacks going with it whacking its kendo sword against Pocub multiple times. The attacks just kept going without Pocub having the chance to fight back. "Finish this with Headbutt!" Kendomy smashed its head against Pocub. That did a lot of damage and knocked Pocub out.

"No! Pocub!" Terra called as she rushed to Pocub's aid.

"He's fierce. Pocub didn't have the chance to fight back." Cletus said.

"Yeah! That's how it's done and why I'm the best battler!" Daniel boasted.

"No!" Chun shouted. "You won, but you did not uphold what we teach here."

"Huh? Sensei, I don't understand." Daniel said as both he and Kendomy didn't get it. "I won and I just keep winning. How can you not be satisfied with my results? What am I doing wrong?"

"That is rather strange. What do you think Chun is displeased with?" Imperialdramon questioned. Davis didn't see it, but he did notice something.

"Hey, Daniel. It looks like Kendomy is rather tired." Davis said.

"Don't be silly. Kendomy is perfectly fine." Daniel said.

"Take a closer look. Kendomy does seem rather tired." Davis pointed out. Daniel took another look and saw Davis was right. Kendomy did seem rather exhausted. He didn't really noticed it until now.

"What gives? Why are you tired when we've been working so hard?" Daniel questioned.

"That is why Kendomy is tired. You've been working hard with unnecessary movements." Chun claimed. "Daniel, you are a skilled battler, but you are just simply too impatient."

"What are you talking about? I fought with such intensity that my opponent didn't even have the chance to fight back." Daniel said. "Isn't that an effective strategy?"

"Effective, but that doesn't uphold our lessons here. The worst part is that your partner is paying for your recklessness." Chun said as he was still dissatisfied with Daniel. Daniel wants to please his teacher, but he can't seem to do anything right. He just doesn't seem to get it. "Davis is your name, right? That was quite good. You spotted what Daniel should have."

"Thanks." Davis said.

"You seem to have the markings of a good trainer. Perhaps a demonstration is what Daniel needs to understand." Chun said as he walked out on the field himself.

"You mean you want me to battle you?" Davis questioned.

"I might be old, but I know how to battle." Chun claimed. "Kendomen, let's go!" He chose his pokemon and it was a big one.

"Kendomen!" It was about seven feet tall, bulky but had muscle. It was wearing white baggy pants with a kendo sword, but its skin was all red with shaggy long dark red hair. It also had sharp teeth with two of them sticking out of the bottom like two small tusks. It was like some sort of demon. Seeing that thing, Davis pulled out his pokedex.

"Kendomen, the Kendo Pokemon. A fighting-type, and the final evolve form of Kendomy. Kendomen can get easily agitated, but all their kendo training helped them channel that anger into their attacks."

"That's the final evolve form of Kendomy?" Terra questioned. "It sure doesn't look friendly."

"I hate to see what it can do." Cletus said.

"We'll take it in. Let's go, Imperialdramon." Davis said.

"I'm all set." Imperialdramon claimed as he stepped forward to battle.

"Let's give them a taste of your Brick Break!" Davis ordered. Imperialdramon went on the attack and charged right at Kendomen, but neither it or Chun flinched. When Imperialdramon tried to attack, Kendomen used its sword and blocked it.

"What?!" Imperialdramon said as he was stunned. He tried to push down, but Kendomen pushed back and knocked Imperialdramon back.

"Focus Energy!" Chun called. Kendomen focused its power and strengthened its attack power. "Brutal Swing!" Kendomen gathered power in its kendo sword and gave Imperialdramon a powerful blow.

"Oh man..." Imperialdramon groaned as he really felt that one. "That thing has some real power."

"We won't back down! Focus Punch!" Davis called. Imperialdramon flew right at Kendomen and had power gathered in his fist.

"Now use Detect!" Chun called. Just then, Kendomen's eyes glowed and it was able to avoid Imperialdramon's attack. No matter how many times Imperialdramon attacked, none of them were landing. "Now use Rock Smash!" Kendomen swung its sword again and smashed it against Imperialdramon.

"Kendomen is powerful, but I don't see what we're suppose to be learning." Daniel claimed as he and Kendomy weren't seeing it.

"Boy, Imperialdramon is having a hard time. None of his attacks are landing while Kendomen is having full control over this battle." Terra claimed.

"Wait! I think that's it!" Cletus said as he realized something. "Look at how Kendomen is moving. Kendomen is waiting for Imperialdramon to attack 'em rather than taking the offensive approach. They're striking when they're most vulnerable. That right there is the art of sword fighting. You wait for an opening and then strike."

"Wait for an opening and then strike?" Daniel questioned. That's different from what he's been doing.

"We're not beaten just yet! Imperialdramon, Focus Punch once more!" Davis orders with Imperialdramon going in for another attack.

"Brutal Swing!" Chun called. Imperialdramon failed to land another attack with Kendomen landed another powerful blow that knocked him to the ground. Kendomen went for another attack. Imperialdramon braced himself for the attack, but all he felt was a mere tap to his head. "I think this battle is over. I think we've made our point."

"You have?" Davis questioned.

"Have I, Daniel?" Chun asked.

"Yes, Sensei." Daniel said as he bowed to him. The true art of kendo is not attacking with such fierce precision or aggression. That is not strength. You must wait for an opening and strike. I have been too impatient." Chun was happy now. "Kendomy, I must apologize to you. I pushed you too hard."

"Kendomy." Kendomy assured Daniel that all was well. Now that Daniel understands this, he can truly become stronger. Now that it was all done, Davis and the others were hitting the road again.

"Thank you for stopping by, and I do hope we meet again." Chun claimed.

"We just might." Davis said.

"It was great. I learned a lot." Terra said.

"The next time we meet, Kendomy and I will be stronger." Daniel assured. "Only we'll truly uphold our dojo's teachings."

"Can't wait. So long." Davis said as they headed out and won't forget what happened here today.

After encountering an interesting school, our heroes learn an important lesson in battle. Sometimes, you just need to wait for the right moment. Maybe it will come in handy in Davis' upcoming gym battle. Stay tuned...

To Be Continued...