Subject: [PW!] Recall the Masses Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 18:47:44 GMT From: "- Xµ§ -" <sprayingiowa@hotmail.com> Organization: Road Runner High Speed Online -- Columbus Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Flashback: 7 years ago One of the largest crowds to have ever gathered at the Kazashima Dojo surrounded the west side of the building. Throughout the crowd were noises of confusion. In the middle, however, was the real show. Shikaku Kazashima stood in the center of it all. The blood of his fellow pupil stained all over his shirt, while the unconscious body lay on the ground. "Ok, who's next? Who thinks they can take on the mighty Shikaku?" The crowd grew silent. Nothing happened, and nobody intended to do anything. "Everyone here is a coward! Everyone here has 9 lives, cause you're all pu--" "I accept your challenge." A small bald man stepped forward. Shikaku seemed shocked, but soon gained a mischevious grin. "Bring it on, old man." "Arrogance is your weakness, Shikaku." The smirk faded from Shikaku's mouth as he led a full assault on the old man. Every kick, every punch, however, despite the force behind it, was blocked with relative ease. Shikaku kept on going until the old man finally delivered a blow to his stomach, followed by a kick to the face that knocked Shikaku back several feet. Shikaku slowly got up, and wiped the blood from his face. "Is that all you got?" His words were weak. "Shikaku, your heart has been filled with pride and hubris. You no longer have a place in this dojo, for all you do is bring dishonor to it. Your skills are weak, but the good in your heart is even weaker." The crowd stood silent. Shikaku's eyes filled with rage as he jumped up and pulled out his sword. He swung with all of his might, but the old man dodged the sword every time. Finally, Shikaku decided to try to side-swipe him. Using all of his force, he brought the sword to the man's side. The old man stood there and looked at him. He hadn't allowed it to reach his side; the blade was in his hand. "Leave, and never return. For the next time that I see you, I will have to kill you." He released the blade and walked away. The crowd broke up, and Shikaku dropped to his knees in shame. It started to rain. Present Day, one mile north of Saffron City It was Mary's last day with Shikaku. Over the course of a month, she tried to help him refine his techniques in order to become a more versatile and useful member to Team Rocket. Shikaku had developed a serious crush on her, but her constant dedication to work broke and refused all of his efforts. He didn't let it get him down, though. He was a member of Team Rocket. He didn't have time for girls...not to fall in love, at least. He gathered the last of his belongings and headed out the door. "You've improved a lot, Shikaku. I guess I'll see you around." "Thanks." Shikaku didn't even look at her when he left. He continued to walk towards Cerulean City in order to meet up with his superiors. Mary sighed. "He hasn't changed at all. That was a complete waste of time." Shikaku looked up. The sky was cloudy and dark. He headed into the forest in order to find some shelter before the storm began. Two pokeballs dropped to the ground. A Murkrow and an Eevee took form from a ball of light. "Jin, Ling, can you help me out here? I'm trying to find some dry wood for a fire." Ling let out a sharp 'caw' and flew about in search of wood. Jin looked around, and laid down. "Jin, get up. I've spent a month trying to get you to like me and you're still being a whiny little bitch." The Eevee looked up at him and growled. "I'm about to kick you. In the nuts, you little shit." Shikaku started to get angry. Ling flew over and dropped sticks in front of his feet. He regained his composure and looked around. "Fine, if you want to be that way, great. But you're going back in here." He held up Jin's pokeball and pressed the button. The Eevee jumped up and dodged the beam. "Are you going to help?" The Eevee nodded reluctantly and walked away in search of wood. It took 2 hours to gather enough wood to build a fire. Practically right after Shikaku got it started, Jin pranced up with a single stick in his mouth. "Oh yeah. Thanks a lot." Shikaku sighed as the Eevee took a position next to the fire. Shikaku took out a small paper sack and pulled out a few rice balls. He tossed one to each of his pokemon before he started to naw on one. "You know," he said, as he looked at his make-shift tent, "This isn't too bad for tonight. But we need to get to Cerulean City soon. Do you think you could fly us there tommorow morning, Ling?" The bird let out a noise that indicated her affirmation, and went back to pecking at her rice ball. "Ok, then. I'm going to go to bed." He turned over and almost instantly fell asleep. One thought entered his mind before he drifted, however... what did Team Rocket have in store for him? Next: Arrival in Cerulean - Xµ§ - "I like your name. It suits you." -- Pipian the fag0rt "Don't worry. Chewie and I have gotten into a lot of pants more heavily guarded than this." - Star Wars: The Pants