From: William Rendfeld (warendfeld@aol.com) Subject: [PW!] Proving Grounds Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2003-11-14 17:39:43 PST Proving Grounds (Author's Note: A portion of this story was written by Adrian Tymes. Partial credit for this story goes both to him and to Rob. My thanks to both for welcoming me into this expanding saga.) "You've got him on the ropes, Daraxis!" Alexandria Masters cried out to her Squirtle. "Finish him off with Water Gun!" "Squirtle!" the small turtle Pokémon cried out in affirmation as it took a breath and prepared to launch its final attack. The past three days since her departure from Cherrygrove City had been productive for Alex and her three Pokémon. Now given a greater purpose after their landslide defeat to Jason Cassidy, the team had trained hard and battled just as hard against both wild Pokémon and trainers alike. As a result, Nadyra the Chikorita had advanced to an impressive Level 8 (learning Razor Leaf in the process) while Daraxis had risen to Level 13, learning Water Gun in the process. Alex's third Pokémon, Surtur the Combusken, had only risen one level in comparison, mostly due to Alex's insistence that he hold back to give opponents a better chance. The trainer before her, a young boy by the name of Ryan, had already sent out two Pokémon against Alex's three. His Hoothoot and Butterfree had already met defeat at Daraxis's hands, and now his Rattata was joining them despite Ryan's order of, "Rattata, get out of the way!" The small rodent began to move out of harm's way, but it was not fast enough as Daraxis blasted forth with a watery blast, knocking the Rattata several feet away. The small rodent emerged unconscious. "Aww," Ryan noted sadly, returning Rattata to its Poké Ball. "You did your best, Rattata." After returning Daraxis to his Poké Ball, Alex walked up to the young boy and said, "Hey, that was a great battle. You did pretty well. A little more time and training and you'll be able to handle anything." "Really?" Ryan asked. "Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?" "A little of both, kinda," Alex replied with a nervous chuckle. Regaining her composure, she held out her hand and said, "Still, great match." The boy politely took it and said, "Thanks." - "(You were quite kind to that young man back there,)" Surtur noted as he and Alex walked into Violet City. "(Is there a particular reason for it?)" "Cassidy, I suppose," Alex replied. "I'm kinda afraid of the idea of becoming like him, so I figure if I be nice and gentle in victory and defeat, I'll be at least a small step ahead of him in manners at least." "(Not a bad idea,)" Surtur admitted. "(So, where is our first stop?)" "The Pokémon Center," Alex replied. "Then the local Gym. I want you guys in prime condition for fighting Falkner, and we'll need all the help we can get." (The following is reposted from "[PW!] Hibye One Through Four" by Adrian Tymes, plus cleaned up slightly for minor typos and such.) Before Dee can even shake his head, another female walks in. "Excuse me." Dee looks up...and then looks up a bit more, to avoid staring into her cleavage. "Can I help you?" Alex looks at the cowboy-looking doctor at the desk. "Strange. Aren't all Pokémon Centers staffed by Nurse Joys?" "She'll be out in a bit." "Anyway, I was wondering if I could ask directions to Falkner's Gym?" "I was just about to leave. I could walk you there, if you like." Alex frowns, remembering where his gaze first stopped. "No thanks. I can get there on my own." "Alrighty. Just offering." Dee points out the lobby windows. "You see that tower over there, beyond the trees?" "Uh-huh." "That's it." "Oh! Thank-" It is Alex's turn to be surprised, when she turns back to the desk to find it vacant, the papers signed and a Teleport's afterglow fading quickly. Seeing this from the back office, Joy sighs into the videophone. "Yes, sister, Dee still needs to learn deskside manner. Looks like I'll have to talk to you later." She hangs up to tend to the trainer. (End repost) "Okay, that was officially odd," Alex noted to herself. "(Alexandria, that man wasn't human,)" Surtur noted. "What makes you say that?" Alex asked. "(He smelled wrong,)" Surtur explained. With a slight sigh, Alex shook her head as Joy arrived at the desk. "How may I help you?" she asked. "Just a sec," Alex replied as she returned Surtur to his Poké Ball. She then removed her remaining two occupied Balls from her belt and said, "Could you give them the once-over? I'm on my way to face Falkner, and I'd rather have my team at full strength." "Certainly," Joy replied, taking the three Poké Balls and heading towards the healing device behind her. "A bit new to the region, I take it." "Just arrived in Johto about a week ago, actually," Alex replied. "I'm still getting used to the area." "You'll adjust soon enough," Joy replied as the machine finished its work. "So, are you thinking of applying for the Silver Conference?" "Kinda, but that badge requirement seems a bit daunting," Alex replied as she retrieved her Poké Balls. Joy stared back at her blankly and asked, "Badge requirement?" Alex looked at her quizzically and asked, "You mean you don't need six badges to participate?" "No, six Pokémon at least," Joy replied. "But you have just enough for the First Round, and if you want I could put in a good word for you with my sister; she'll be working at Mount Silver for the competition." The proverbial wheels within Alex's head had already begun spinning when she heard that there was no badge requirement. Upon hearing that she had enough for Round One, the wheels began spinning at a frantic pace. She quickly thought over the possible outcomes (outright defeat being the first negative to spring to mind, the positives including real tournament experience, meeting new people and trainers, and possibly one-upping Jason Cassidy) and made her decision. "Please do, I'd appreciate it," Alex replied. "Who knows, I may just win." "Very well then," Nurse Joy answered. "Best of luck." "Thanks," Alex replied. She quickly returned the three Poké Balls to her belt, then exited the Pokémon Center. She then brought out her three Pokémon and announced, "Guys, I've got news. There's been a slight change of plans." With quizzical looks from Nadyra and Daraxis, Surtur took the liberty to ask, "(And what does this change entail?)" "Guys, we're going to the Silver Conference!" Alex cried. Nadyra looked at her with a puzzled expression on her face. Daraxis seemed to grasp it, but did not quite believe it. Surtur, however, was most vocal about this announcement. "(Alexandria, I thought you didn't have the badges required to participate.)" "I thought so too," Alex explained, "But according to the Nurse Joy I just talked to, there isn't a badge requirement, just a Pokémon requirement. And thankfully for me, I've got just enough for the first round." "(You do realize this is a serious competition,)" Surtur noted, "(and that there is no way in the Four Realms that we will be able to handle another powerful team.)" "I doubt there are any nearby that are that powerful," Alex replied. "Besides, we still have three weeks to get some training in. How about it?" Nadyra, being young and eager, quickly chirped her approval; "Chika!" Daraxis, being determined and stubborn, chipped in with a positive "Squirt!" Surtur sighed, then said, "(I suppose someone must maintain their sanity around here. Besides, I cannot simply abandon you, even in your great folly. Very well, I am by your side.)" With a smile, Alex said, "Thanks guys." Pulling out her PokéNav and opening it, she said, "Now assuming that guy's directions were correct, the Gym should be a short distance away." She quickly put away her PokéNav and said to Daraxis, "I'll be counting on you against Falkner, Daraxis. Both Nadyra and Surtur have type weaknesses, so you're our best shot. Just do your best, okay?" With a mock salute, Daraxis noted, "Squirt!" "Great," Alex replied. She then recalled both Daraxis and Nadyra and said, "C'mon Surtur, let's get moving." (The last one a day late, this one a day early. Go fig. Rob; feel free to jump in here. Hopefully TBC) William Rendfeld Creator of Echowarrior, the Pokémon Resistance, and Alex Masters 178,000 Excellent Author Points 1 'I knew odd pokefacts that confused a bread crumb' point. 20 Y2Tech Points