From: "Rob" <robfrompw@yahoo.com> Subject: [PW!] Robert's Got Mail! Date: Thursday, March 11, 2004 11:45 PM Robert sits in front of the computer on the desk in his Diversity Gym's vestibule. He's been reviewing the e-mail messages he's received from Trainers who saw him announce during Johto's Silver Conference that he wanted to trade his unruly Charizard for a new Fire Pokemon. Robert's birthday is in a week and he thinks the best present he can give himself is a new Fire Pokemon - one that doesn't want to Slash him to bits. So far, he's narrowed his options down to three Fire Pokemon. Now he's reading through the messages one last time to decide who he should trade with. Robert uses his computer's mouse to double-click on the message whose subject reads "My Growlithe will make you less boring". Ignoring the peculiar claim in the message's title, he reads the message once more. It reads: "Hi, my name's Bo but you can call me SHAKK-master. That's my nickname. I saw you at the Silver Conference and wanted to trade you my Growlithe for your Charizard but you told me to send you an e-mail so I'm doing it now (but I have to make it short because I have many important things to do like buy a new trenchcoat because mine was poisoned). You can trust me to have good Fire Pokemon. I have two Blaziken, an Arcanine, and a Houndoom. They all know a whole bunch of moves. I'm a great Fire Pokemon Trainer so when I heard you wanted to trade your Charizard, I caught a Growlithe around Mount Silver right away. Okay, so send me your Charizard and I'll send you the Growlithe. Thanks. -SHAKK-master." "Hmm, I've wanted a Growlithe for a while, but I'm not so sure I can trust this guy," Robert muses out loud. He closes SHAKK-master's e-mail message and opens one that was sent by the one and only Ash Ketchum, Pallet Town's most well-known Pokemon Master. The message from Mr. Ketchum reads, "hi im ash ketchum form pallet twon n thees r my freinds oh wait im wiritin ane e=mail i foroght. newayz i got a cynadquilk id on't u8se any miore cusz of a corfishj i cot in dwegord iland wehn i wsa imn joennm. u want teh cyndaquil? it use to nto fire uop rught but i fixed it 2 beat a sarkmori. i use to ahve a chraizrd but he live in charfic valli nwo nad i sure cud use a new 1. thx. yuor pal, ash ketchim." After deciphering the message and thinking for a moment, Robert shakes his head and says, "It would be quite an honor to use a Pokemon once owned by THE Ash Ketchum, but I wouldn't want him to part with one of his beloved Pokemon friends for my blood-thirsty Charizard." He closes the message that Ash Ketchum sent him and opens a message sent by a Pokemon Breeder he's never heard about. He peruses the message. "Dear Robert," the message reads, "I saw your second round Silver Conference match on the PNN affiliate here in Hoenn. I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having with your Charizard. I am a Pokemon Breeder with over ten years of experience, and I specialize in training Fire-types. I've handled aggressive Pokemon before, and I believe that I can reform your Charizard, given time. If you are interested in trading, I currently have two three-month-old Houndours available, one male and one female. Both have been tested for temperament, retinal atrophy, and panosteitis. Parents are OFP (Orthopedic Foundation for Pokemon) certified Excellent. All shots are up to date. I am attaching a file containing pictures, pedigree information, and statistical data. "Let me know if you're interested, "Sincerely, --Zafiro (zafiro@pkmnbreeder.org)" "I don't know what 'panosteitis' is, but I'm impressed the Houndour pups have been tested for it," Robert comments to himself while browsing through the attached pictures of the Breeder's adorable Houndour. He finds the female Houndour pup particularly endearing. "Zafiro sure sounds like he knows what he's doing and that Houndour I saw Nori send out during the Silver Conference sure was cute. It's settled - I'll trade my Charizard for Zafiro's female Houndour!" Robert clicks the "Reply" button above the message he just read and types, "Hi there, Zafiro. After reading your qualifications, I've decided that you're the best Trainer for my unruly Charizard. I would like to trade my Charizard for your female Houndour. Please let me know if you would like to visit the Diversity Gym in Lavender Town to trade with me or if you would like to arrange some sort of long distance trade. -Robert". The Diversity Gym Leader then pushes "Send" and leans back in his chair. "Ron! Ron! Ron!" A metallic barking sound is heard as a tiny Aron knocks open the doors leading into the Diversity Gym, tugging Robert's girlfriend, Mithril-rama, by the leash she attached to him so he wouldn't get lost during their walk. The little Aron starts panting as he tugs on the leash, his drool falling on the floor. Rising from his chair, Robert exclaims, "Good news, Rilli!" Mithril-rama slams and locks the doors behind her before letting go of Aron's leash, then she asks, "You'll take Aron out for his walks from now on?" "I decided to trade my Charizard for a Houndour!" Robert announces as the released Aron hops up and down next to him, wanting his Trainer to pick him up. Robert grabs Aron during one of his hops and struggles to keep the fidgety 120-pound Steel Pokemon in his arms. Rilli smiles, "That's great, but I still want you to walk your Aron next time." "Okay, okay... I'll walk him next time." Robert chuckles as the playful Aron starts licking his face. -Robert