From: Saint (Saint84_98@yahoo.com) Subject: [PW!] The Curse Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000/07/12 Taron pushed the door to the Saffron City gym open. He walked boldly inside. "This sucks." Procyon muttered. "Not only do I have to come here for your battle, I have to be here for my match as well." He shuddered. Taron smirked and Suik remained silent. Tumbleweed led him through the corridors of the temple-like gym. Taron pushed open the doors of the arena. He started to walk in but was stopped by a long haired man in a surgeon's mask. "You are here to challenge to the great Sabrina." It was not a question. "Uh..." "Hmm, she accepts your challenge. Though I don't know why she would waste her time w- AHHHGH!!! I'M SORRY I'LL NEVER QUESTION YOU AGAIN OH GREAT ONE!!" The man coughed and fell over. "When will I ever learn to keep my mouth shut?" *Welcome Taron.* Said a new voice in his head. Taron was only slightly surprised. He stepped through the door and was instantly assailed by the sharp scent of incense. Based solely on the echoes the group's footsteps made as they walked into the arena, Taron judged it to be a rather large room. "Sabrina!" Taron called, "I'm here to-" "I know why your here Taron." Sabrina said flatly. Taron faltered after being interrupted. "Er... Well alrighty then." Taron cleared his throat nervously. "How many pokemon?" "Two." Sabrina's voice was devoid of all emotion, which only added to the creepiness of the situation. Taron flung a pokeball into the ring where it cracked open, releasing Rampage, his Tauros. Sarina nodded wordlessly and used her psionic powers to float a pokeball into the ring. It opened, sending out a burst of white energy which turned into a hypno. "Rampage, tackle it quickly." Rampage dug into the floor with its hooves then charged, it was just about to strike its opponent when it suddenly fell asleep. "What?" Taron wondered as he reached into his bag and pulled out a long thin instrument. He played a few bars and Rampage awoke. "Rampage, be careful. Stomp it." Rampage reared up on its back legs, preparing to land a vicious blow to the tapir pokemon's face, when it suddenly stopped in midair and was flung back towards Taron. It got back up slowly. "Good job. Try a Tail Whip." Rampage charged toward its enemy and flung its many tail toward it. For once the move succeeded. Hypno tripped and lay on the ground for a moment before getting back on its feet. It pointed at Rampage. Rampage snorted and turned towards Taron. Those with sight could see that its eyes glowed a fierce red. It turned and charged towards Taron and his friends. "Taron! Call it back quick!" Procyon shouted. Taron raised the pokeball and hit the recall button just as Rampage was about to hit them. It disappeared in a flash of red light. Taron patted Tumbleweed on the head. "Its your turn buddy be careful." Tumbleweed leaped into the ring. Hypno's eyes closed. They stayed closed for awhile. The seconds flew by and still nothing happened. "Scratch it!" Tumbleweed ran and used one long digging claw to scratch its opponent. The Hypno made no moves to block or evade the attack. It soon became apparent that it wasn't going to counterattack either. "Do it again!" Taron called. And again Tumbleweed slashed at its opponent. Suddenly the Hypno's eyes snapped open. It glared at Tumbleweed for a moment. Then Tumbleweed was sent flying back. It landed with a dull thud and skidded for a few feet, finally coming to a stop at Taron's feet. Sabrina's eyes began to glow a malicious red. Taron fell to his knees clutching his head. It was if a hand as cold as ice had grabbed his brain. Suddenly it stopped. He calmly got to his feet and walked over to stand by Sabrina's throne. His face was completly blank of expression. "Taron? What are you doing?" Suik asked. Taron smirked, his normally blank white eyes glowed like a pair of beacons in the darkness. "Facing my Destiny." He replied in an eerily calm voice "What did you do to him?" Procyon cried, alarmed. "He is mine now, I will harness his under-developed psionic ability. I will teach him to truly use the power he has been given." "What are you talking about? Taron doesn't have psychic powers." Procyon said confused. "Yes he does, Taron has a very useful psychometabolic talent. He can trade life energies with other living creatures. It is an ability I want under my control." "I demand you release him!" "Demand? Of me? I suggest that you get out of here before I turn you into dolls." She rose, preparing to teleport them both away when Procyon stopped her. "Wait! I challenge you to a battle. If I win, you let Taron go." "And if I win?" She asked slightly intrigued. "If you win, you get me as well." Sabrina smiled slightly, amused by the proposition. "Very well. I accept." TBC.... -- -Saint