From: "Dave Stangel" <David.R.Stangel@uwsp.edu> Subject: [PW!] Preparations (Smash) Date: Monday, November 01, 2004 8:15 PM Smash looked up at the sky. It reminded him of the many nights he had spent as a child sleeping outside, listening to various Pokemon cries from the mountain range by his house. But this was history. He was now a powerful trainer, with six great Pokemon. Well, five great Pokemon and one powerful but disobedient Pokemon. His Tropico, traded to him by a friend, had become disloyal and uncooperative, which he believes cost him the 76th battle in the annual Battle Tower contest back home on Quest Island. The opposing trainer wiped out Darklord, Discharge, and Tropico with one Scizor. Smash's blood started to boil. He couldn't stand the thought of losing at all, much less against just one Pokemon. "Son of a…" He pounded his hand against the ground in frustration. In the distance, his team was resting. Bahamut and Darklord were lying next to each other, talking and keeping each other company. Tropico was sleeping by himself with a big smirk on his face. "Probably thinking of something to do to me, stupid plant!" Discharge was practicing his punches in a clearing, and Hydroslash was looking out from the ledge, far from the others. All of a sudden, they heard a rustling in the bushes. Smash jumped up. Bahamut and Darklord leaped into their attack poses. Discharge and Hydroslash whirled around to face the intruder. Tropico kept sleeping. "Who's there?" Smash hollered into the darkness. A pair of large red eyes and a sinister grin came out. No head, no body, just two eyes and a smile. "Jeez, it's only you, Phantom!" Smash breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone relaxed. "Huddle up everyone!" Smash yelled. Bahamut and Darklord lumbered over, while Discharge and Hydroslash dashed forward. Phantom quickly shot towards Smash. Tropico kept sleeping. "Stupid… arrrgh! OK, anyway, Phantom, did you find out what he has?" Phantom nodded. "Alright. Hydroslash, get a good night's rest. And everyone else, too. Tomorrow morning, we win ourselves a badge!" To be continued…