From: otaku (animeotaku@mindspring.com) Subject: [PW!] A Rock and A Hard Spot Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000/04/10 As the early morning sun began to shine down on Viridian City, its busy inhabitants were all waking up, eager at the prospect of a new day. That is, all but one. ?Stinking slagging sewer?why do I have to track down some Goddish damned Primeape?? ?Because you?re only a rookie in Team Rocket, and you want to get in good with the boss, that?s why.? A mental voice reminded him. Savage just frowned and spit in disgust. To say Savage was not a morning person would be a severe understatement. The only reason he was trudging through the sludge pile after a stupid monkey was because it was rumored to be over level 50. Such a high level Pokemon in the vicinity of Viridian was rare, and there was no way he would pass up a chance to catch it for the boss. ?I wonder if the dry cleaners can get out Muk stains.? Savage sighed as he stepped in another Muk, who oozed into a pipe from under his foot. ?Priiiimeape!? Pain flashed all around Savage as a furious kick was delivered to the back of his head. He toppled over and into the murky water, coughing it up in disgust. Growling, he gave the simian a swift kick to the body, which sent it rolling down the sewer like an overgrown bowling ball. When it finally stopped and smacked into a wall, Savage wasted no time. He pulled out his Glock and fired one round three inches above the Primeapes? head. ?I?ll assume you understand human language. That was a warning shot. Surrender now, or die.? No dice. The Primeape decided to call its attackers bluff, and leapt at him, scratching his face. Savage and the ape fell to the ground, the monkey trying to claw its attacker to death, Savage trying to reach for his sharp shooter. After a few seconds of blind groping, he managed to latch onto it, and fired both Pokeballs out. ?Faust, Mobius, attack!? He kicked the Primeape away, sending it flying away several feet. Both of Savage?s Pokemon leapt at the fallen monkey, slashing, biting, and burning it as much as they could. With a mighty roar, it shoved both of them off and took off down a corridor. Mobius was struggling to stand, and Faust was passed out cold. Cursing to himself, Savage returned both Pokemon to their respective balls and reloaded his sharp shooter. Grumbling, he began to climb up a ladder, which lead to the outside world. Dusting himself off, Savage realized he wasn?t in Viridian City anymore. He was in Pewter. Shrugging, he figured it was time to try for a boulder badge anyway. But first he had to get Faust and Mobius patched up. Walking into a deserted ally, Savage removed his Rocket card from a hidden pocket inside his pants, and knocked on a large steel door. After a minute, a muffled voice spoke from behind. ?Password?? ?Two twerps, a guy and a Pikachu.? The door clicked open. Savage groaned. Whatever two nitwits came up with that lame password deserved to be dragged into the street and run over with Rydons. Inside the hidden center, Rockets of all shapes and sizes where sitting around, joking, laughing, or talking about old missions. Walking up to the main desk, Savage presented Nurse Starr with his two Pokeballs. ?Geez Savage, what?cha do to them this time, make ?em go up against a pack of Cloysters?? The nurse spoke with an obvious accent, one that made Savage cringe. ?Just heal them. I?ll be at the computers.? He answered coolly, turning away. Nurse Starr snorted and placed both Pokeballs into the recharge machine. Sitting down in front of one of the many empty computers, he logged on to see if any other missions had come through. If it had, it wouldn?t be signed, but even rookies knew missions only came from one person. Clicking the mailbox, he read one of the letters. It was one line, but it was all Savage needed. ?Rumor of giant Arbok at Mt. Moon. Capture and send.? After failing to catch that Primeape, Savage wasn?t about to let this one get through his fingers. Signing off, he picked up his pokemon from the nurse, and headed out the door. Standing outside the immense Pewter City gym, Savage sighed and walked up to the doors, swinging them open. It was now or never. ?I?m here to challenge you for a Boulder badge!? Savage was forced to shout, thanks to the immense length of the gym. ?Very well?one Pokemon each!? Brock pressed a button, and the walls lifted up, revealing twin pieces of a battlefield. Savage remained perfectly still until the last possible second, and leapt up, landing on a tall ledge. ?Nice reflexes kid. Vulpix, go!? Savage raised an eyebrow. Brock was famous for his rock pokemon, but obviously he was trying a new tactic. ?Tell me Brock?have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?? ?What?? ?Oh, nothing. Just something I say to all my victims. Go, Mobius.? Savage fired the sharp shooter up in air, where the Pokeball bounced onto the center of the battle field, releasing his Charmander. ?Vulpix, flamethrower!? ?Mobius, go for the underbelly! Scratch attack!? Mobius dived under her opponent, but Brocks Vulpix was smarter then that. It kicked her out with its paws, and blasted the reptilian Pokemon with its flamethrower. ?Chaaar! She shielded her eyes, holding steady. Vulpix continued the onslaught, Mobius?s scales now turning black. Finally, the fox?s fire gave out, and she stopped with a wheeze. ?Now!? Mobius gritted her teeth, raised her left paw, and gave it all she had. She slashed down on the panting Vulpix?s body with all her might, cutting away fur and flesh. Vulpix teetered, but refused to go down. ?Vulpix, use roar! Scare it away!? ?Mobius, counter with your growl!? Vulpix reared back, and let loose an ear splitting roar. Mobius took a step back, but pushed herself forward, growling at her opponent. Both Pokemon continued for several miniutes, neither backing down. Brock and Savage remained motionless, sweat pouring down their faces. Time seemed to stop, until finally, both Pokemon toppled to the ground simultaneously. ?Hmm. It looks like a draw.? Brock murmured to himself. However, Mobius refused to give up. With her last ounce of strength, she raised herself up, and leapt into the air, slamming her entire weight down on the fox. Vulpix?s eyes bulged out, and she coughed up some blood. The Charmander rolled away, and just barely stood, leaning against a rock. ?The match is over!? Brock shouted, recalling his fallen Vulpix back into its Pokeball. He tossed Savage a Boulder badge and the Bide TM. ?Congratulations kid. You?re definitely a tough trainer. Good luck on your journey.? Savage nodded, recalled Mobius. He had to admit, despite what he had heard, Brocks Vulpix had put up a good fight. Walking outside, he stopped in the Pewter center to heal Mobius. Once she was returned to him, he took out Harley. ?Current level of Mobius?? ?Current level 9 Mr. S.? The feminine voice chimed. Savage nodded, and walked out of the Pokemon center. Now he had a snake to capture. TBC