From: otaku (animeotaku@mindspring.com) Subject: [PW!] Innocence Lost Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000/05/19 The sun rose early in Lavender Town, giving the sleepy burg a rosy glow before the usual fog set in. John was wide-awake, and had been for hours. Too excited to sleep, he had been up all night planning for his journey. He slipped on his usual set of clothing, placing Zuel and Igor into their Pokeballs, and then placing the Pokeballs in his pocket. Running down the stairs, he left a quick note for his parents, and rushed out the door. Removing a map from his pocket, John began to plot his trip. First step, onto Saffron to face Sabrina. Walking the heavily traveled path, John couldn?t help but sweat, despite the early morning coolness. Sabrina was rumored to be the toughest and nastiest of all the gym leaders. Saying a quick prayer to Goddish, John began humming ?Wherever I may roam?, nervously rubbing his hands together. In the depths of Saffron City?s Psychic Gym, a familiar leather boot clad woman was sitting on a chair, bored to death. She casually filed her nails, waiting for another foolish trainer to try for a Soul badge. A knock on the door roused her attention. Without looking up, she psychically swung the doors open. A young woman, who appeared to be no more then seventeen, stood at the door. As she walked forward, Sabrina snapped to attention. She quickly released her Alakazam from its Pokeball, who set up a defensive barrier. ?Heh, relax. I haven?t come here to fight you.? The woman spoke, her ruby red lips glistening. ?Foul creature, you have no business here. Be gone!? Sabrina waved a hand, something that would normally teleport anyone wherever Sabrina felt like sending him or her. But the woman just stood there, looking smug. ?There is a young boy headed your way as we speak. His Pokemon are weak, but he himself has a strong mind. He is my next target, but I cannot get near him?yet. You will have him sent to me. Is that understood?? Sabrina raised a solitary finger, pointing it upwards. The woman gasped in shock, then narrowed her eyes in anger. Quickly composing herself, she folded her arms over her chest. ?Very well. I cannot force you, that much I know. But beware Sabrina. Everyone makes mistakes, even someone like yourself. You?ll slip up sooner or later.? The mystery woman bowed, and disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Recalling her Alakazam, Sabrina gritted her teeth. What would a monstrosity like her want with a mere boy? Shaking her head, Sabrina?s eyes began to glow red, as she peered into the mind of this boy, to get an idea of just how powerful he was. ?This?this cannot be!? She gasped, nearly dropping to the floor. Severing the link, she slumped down in her chair, shaking. ?That boy?his psychic potential is amazing! But his fate is a grim one, unless I do something.? Sabrina began to concentrate, calling out to him with her mind. John was half a mile from Saffron when a low buzzing began to fill his head, causing him to double over in pain. ~Jonathan Maxwell.~ John glanced around, hearing a voice from no where. ~Please listen. My name is Sabrina. You must not come to Saffron. A terrible fate awaits you if you come here! I repeat: Do not come to Saffron City!~ John couldn?t believe what he was hearing. ?You?re just trying to trick me!? He shouted out into the air. ~Believe me, this is no trick. For your own safety, go home! NOW!~ Before John could argue further, Polly, his parents Farfetch?d, appeared, squawking franticly. It motioned for John to follow it, flying back. John turned and ran, heading back home, right behind the bird. As he got closer and closer, thick curls of smoke could be seen rising into the air. Racing faster, John stopped in mid step, falling to his knees. ?No?.? All that remained of John?s house was rubble, and bits and pieces of things. Stumbling forward, John felt hot tears pour down his cheeks. The elderly Mr. Fuji took him by the shoulder. ?I?m sorry lad?it happened without warning.? ?What happened?? John clenched his fists, attempting to stop himself from shaking all over. ?It happened not one hour after you left. Your house burst into flames, and before anyone could do anything?? He trailed off, looking down. ?My parents?? Mr. Fuji shook his head, and sighed. ?Charred beyond recognition, I?m afraid. The police suspect Arson.? John backed away, head spinning. Arson?it could only be?yes. Them. John punched the ground in frustration until his knuckles bled. ?Jack and Jill...those bastards.? Mr. Fuji took John by the arm, leading him into his house. ?You can stay here as long as you want John.? John mumbled a thank you, his mind only focused on one thing. High above the chaos, A lone woman stood in the darkness of Pokemon Tower. She chuckled darkly, as a crystal globe displayed John, sitting alone in a room, utterly silent. She smiled triumphantly. The seeds of hatred and sorrow had been planted, and soon it would be time to harvest. Twin fangs glistening in the darkness, Damascus hissed in anticipation, and closed the lid of her coffin. It was only a matter of time now. -Animeotaku, TR Ninja on AIM