From: otaku (animeotaku@mindspring.com) Subject: [PW!] The Long Road Ahead Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2000/07/05 The Long Road Ahead By Ninja This was it. Time to leave home for good, and set out on a journey to the Pokemon League. "Sounds good in theory, but can I do it?" Eric muttered to himself. Touching the locket around his neck gently, he nodded. "For you mom. I'll do it for you." Eric took one last look, and closed the door, never looking back. Releasing Torch from his Pokeball, he began talking to the Flareon as they walked. "?And then one day, we'll make it to the Pokemon League." Torch purred softly, happy to see his master in good spirits. Reaching into his pocket, Eric pulled out a small black box. "I almost forgot, this is for you." Holding the box over Torch's head, he pulled it open, and a bright blue beam scanned the Flareon. A computerized voice spoke. "Subject: Flareon. Desired move: Quick Attack." Torch's eyes glowed a bright blue for a second, and then returned to normal. "Flare! Flare! Flareon!" Torch rushed down the road, zipping by a few trees and then returning to Eric's side. "Good boy Torch." Eric patted his head, and returned him to his Pokeball. After what felt like hours of walking, Eric made it to Pewter by 10 P.M., only to find the Pokemon Center had been locked for the night. Shrugging, Eric sat down and leaned against the wall. He released Slither from her Pokeball, and told her to keep guard for the night. "Slither, you keep guard, ok?" "Ekansssss!" Slither curled up, keeping an eye out for anyone who might try to harm her master. Eric smiled, and quickly drifted off to sleep. The sun cast a soft yellow glow on everything as Eric awoke to the sounds of a Doduo's cries. Stretching, Eric mumbled and returned Slither to her Pokeball, proud that she had stood guard all night. He lazily stumbled his way up to a diner, and sat down in one of the empty booths. "What'll you have?" A waitress asked, with hair that seemed larger then her body. "Zzzzzzzz." "Coffee, coming right up." A few minutes later, after he had gotten his bearings straight, Eric was mapping out his journey. "So after this, I'll head to Cerulean, then Vermilion?" he muttered to himself. Eric paid for the drinks, and headed down to the Pewter City gym. Inside, Brock sat on a chair, piled high with rocks. "I'm here for a Boulder badge." Eric lit up a cigarette and reached for Torch's Pokeball. "Alright, one Pokemon." "Wait a minute. Brock uses rock Pokemon. Torch won't do much good with Quick Attack as his only offensive move." Brock had already sent out a Geodude. Eric shook his head clear, and sent out Slither. "Geodude, Tackle attack!" "Slither, dodge it and wrap its arms!" Geodude had launched itself forward, but slowly. Slither dodged the attack quite easily, and wrapped herself around Geodude's arms. "Geodude, rock throw!" Geodude managed to pick up the biggest rock it could find, but soon found itself with a bit of a dilemma. Slither was still wrapped around its arms, preventing it from attacking her. "Slither, Leer at it!" The Ekans 's eyes shone a dark red, and Geodude found itself scared out its mind. Its grip loosened on the rock it was holding, and Slither got away just before Geodude dropped the rock on itself, dazing it, but not knocking it out completely. "Rock Throw!" Eric gasped letting the cigarette fall out of his mouth, but before he could order Slither to get away, Geodude hurled an explosion of rocks at her, knocking the Ekans against a wall, and rendering her unconscious. Eric sighed, and recalled the fainted snake back to her Pokeball. Now he only had Torch. "I just hope that Geodude was weakened enough." "Go, Torch!" "Geodude, another Rock Throw!" "Torch, Sand Attack!" The small Flareon kicked up a dust cloud, causing Geodude to miss completely. "Now Quick Attack!" With all his might, Torch ran up and slammed his body into Geodude sideways. Eric winced when he heard Torch's ribs crack against the rock. The little Flareon fell to the ground, breathing heavily. "I have no choice?Torch, return." Eric held up the Pokeball, but Torch rolled to the side, avoiding the beam of light that shot at him. "Flare! Flareon!" Torch struggled his way up, and launched forward with another Quick Attack, this time curling into a semi circle, and leaping up. Torch slammed his back into Geodude, knocking it out of the ring and disqualifying it. Eric rushed into the ring, and picked up Torch. He grimaced. Torch was bleeding out of his mouth, matting some of his fur with blood, and his back was bruised all over. Cradling the small fox Pokemon gently, he carefully returned Torch back to his Pokeball. Brock hurriedly handed over the Boulder Badge, the Bide TM and a few hundred dollars. Eric stuffed everything into his pocket, and rushed over to the Pokemon Center. After a rushed explanation of what happened, Nurse Joy took the injured Flareon and Ekans into the back. ?It?ll be awhile. Why don?t you have a seat?? Eric nodded, and numbly sat down. Slither would be fine, she just needed rest. But Torch? Hands trembling, Eric lit up a cigarette, taking a long draw. Torch would be all right. He just had to be.