From: "Jose L. Solano" <jsolano199@aol.comlink> Subject: [PW!] The Carolliad Date: Thursday, April 15, 2004 2:56 AM Well, Fenix old chum, it had to be done. The Pokewars! Company Presents: a Tale of Carol Ross Hereby titled, "The Carolliad" An Epic by Mr. Jose Luis Solano Carol Ross, as her parents had named her many years ago, wandered idly through the wooded growth outside of a settlement where she had parted ways with her party. The town- Rustburo, it was named by men, who conquered land and beast in their greed- was one that she had left an hour prior, in pursuit of two men who she believed to be agents plotting against a recent ally of Carol- a young woman who went by the name of Alexandria Masters, or as she was known in some circles, Alex. Carol could not guess why these men followed her, or what their purpose was, and for all her intent, she could not determine their scheme, nor why her young friend Alex was the target of their malice. Carol had tracked these foul, wicked men for some time, but there was misfortune; Carol had lost their trail and now, she found herself alone in the forest, surrounded by trees and wild Pokémon. "O cruel fate!" Carol cried unto the sky! "Why have I been so misled? What cruel higher authority has intervened, and sent me on this wayward path? No! My dear friend Alex! Though I have known her for only a short time, she is dearer to me than my own life! I cannot explain why nor do I know the true answer myself! These wicked men will do great evil to her now. I have failed you, my good friend! I am unworthy of your compassion, only of your scorn and my own wretched guilt! Nay, I am worthy of your hate and your malice! I have doomed you, to what fate, I cannot say, but my own foolish arrogance has defeated me. I see now that I lacked the mastery to best these two men, but I was too blind to see this. Had I stayed with my dear Alex, I could have- at very least!- protected her from their torment... torment! This is all I shall know!" Never before had Carol felt so defeated, unless it had been the day that she was cast away from the house of her elders. Carol was but a girl in those days, the daughter of a man called Dr. Martin Ross. Dr. Ross was a psychologist by trade, and he practiced his profession earlier in his years in the form of a clinical specialist, but in his later life, he became closely associated with law enforcement and worked in tandem with them as a specialist for his insight into the criminal mind. It was in this line of work that he met Jenny, fairest of all police officers, named Jenny but not of the line of Jenny, hair as gold and eyes as diamonds. "O fair Jenny!" Martin said unto her, and she looked into his eyes. "Fair Jenny, hair as gold and eyes as diamonds, my love for you is as an ocean, and no longer can I contain it in the dam of my heart! It must be shared with you, and only can it be shared across a long span of time, such as the life of a man! Fair Jenny, hair as gold and eyes as diamonds, fairest of all police officers, named Jenny but not of the line of Jenny, I would have you for my wife! Would you accept this offer, and bring such joy that would pierce the dam of my heart as a boulder and release the love contained within!" And Jenny said unto him, "Fine." And thus was the wedding of Martin and Jennifer, a lavish event unmatched in the city of Saffron City before or ever again. They lived happily together for years, and then one day, Jenny bore for Martin a child. "A daughter you have given to me!" Martin cried joyously! "I will name this child Carol, the feminine form of the name Carolus, Latin form of Charles, which was the name I had planned to name this child, had she been born a boy! Nevertheless, I shall love her as a son!" And so Martin loved his daughter as if she were his son, for he would not discriminate between genders as such. Carol had neither the golden hair nor the diamond eyes of her mother, but instead the green eyes of her father and the red hair of her grandmother, who tragically passed unto the higher realm years before Carol was born. Thus was Carol, daughter to Martin and Jenny, raised, and when Carol was only five years of age, by the reckoning of men, her younger sibling Harry was born, but what Martin said unto Harry on the day of his birth is recorded in no tale. As for Carol, she was not particularly interested in the chosen trade of others of her age group, the art of capturing and training wild Pokémon for the purposes of duel combat, but nevertheless, Carol craved adventure, and she longed to see the world outside of Saffron City, and outside the walls of her father's home. One night, the rain fell from the heavens like rain from the heavens and clouds circled above the sky, casting shadows upon the land and lighting them again with its electric spectacle, and Carol, then only a young girl half a score in age, said unto her father, "Father, I love you very much, and I am grateful for all that you provide for me here in our home in Saffron City, but it grieves me greatly that I must remain her. I wish to walk through doors, not look through windows, and I wish to feel different winds against my cheek and taste new foods in new lands, and hear the tongues of new people and share in their culture." "I will not hear this!" Martin said unto her. "You are much too young to entertain thoughts of leaving your home and the safety of your father's protection! You are but a girl, less than half a score and you are not yet ready to face the world that stands before you. But do not despair! The time will come for you, my dear Carol. When you are wise, and you have had the opportunity to see all that your family and home have to offer you, then you may leave my care freely, and see the world at your leisure. Nay, I do not deny you this, but you are inexperienced, and when your time comes, I will grant you this willingly!" Carol took heed of her father's words, and when the time came for her peers to begin their journeys as trainers of Pokémon, Martin coerced Carol into staying at home and finishing school, and for a time, all was well. But then Martin committed a grave, terrible mistake, and one that would rule the fate of his family and forever change the course of his daughter's life; while researching historical criminals during a case that he had been assigned to- one that, incidentally, involved a man who had murdered his wife by throwing Pokéballs at her- he left several books on the kitchen table when he was called into his office late one night. Carol, older than half a score but still very young and impressionable, found these books lying about the kitchen table that night as she searched for a snack while taking a break from her math homework. What particular problems she was working that night, it cannot be said with any certainty, for only Carol herself knows, and it is said that to this day she still carries the homework from that night with her, though the mathematical problems themselves are said to have long since faded. The book at the top of the pile was of particular interest to Martin because the criminal had worked at a department store in Celadon prior to his charges, and it was widely believed that the introduction of a new Pokéball was to blame for the stress that drove him to madness. He was called William Retwin, and to this day the library sends a weekly notice to Martin, asking him to pay the full price of the book, for it went missing that night, and only Carol knows for sure where she keeps it. From that day forward, Carol took an interest in the criminal mind, similar but parallel to that of her father. Her father Martin found the mental workings of social deviants interesting because he wished to understand his enemy and thus know how they could be stopped. Martin's daughter, however, was interested in their deeds for their own value, and she admired their accomplishments and wondered that if perhaps they had only done this or that differently, they may never have been captured. From this notion came Carol's fixation with crime, and eventually, this evolved into her own ambition to become a criminal in her own right. But that is a story to be continued later. Upon her return from school one day, Carol brought news, issued forth by her instructor in school. Martin and Jenny read this message, and they gasped! for it read: "To the parents of one Ms. Carol Ross- Your daughter's grades have been slipping steadily this past fortnight, and would she but pay closer attention to my lectures, she would be a model student!" For some reason, someone said "O fortuna!" to this. Carol was justly berated for her failure, but little did her parents suspect that such wasteful thinking was the result of her various studies over famous criminals, taken from libraries, internet files and stolen documents from her father's archives. One day the sun rose and Carol entered the kitchen for breakfast. That morning, she decided that she would have a bowl of Frosted Flakes. Her young brother Harry was ten years of age, Carol but five years old than he, and he had already eaten breakfast; two eggs, two slices of bacon, a piece of buttered toast and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Jenny, mother of Carol, informed her that Harry was beginning his journey as a Pokémon trainer. "But how can this be?" Carol asked unto her. "But mother, my father denied me such a journey in my youth, is it not unjust that my own brother be granted this opportunity?" "Carol, do not be so hasty!" it is said that Jenny said. "Your father had your safety in mind. Harry has proven that he can take care of himself, and as such, he is ready for this journey." "But mother, I am more than ready for a journey as this one. Have I not proven that I am responsible? Have I not proven that I am dependable, and that I exhibit these qualities more than my younger brother? Surely, you will not deny this as you have denied my right to this adventure." But Carol did not hear another word! For she sent herself away from the house of her parents, taking with her only a few belongings and her pet Totodile, which had done little of note at that point. What Carol had not been told was that just before this, her father had accepted to work with the captured Trent Retwin, son of William Retwin, and for this reason chose to send his son away to keep him out of Saffron out of fear, and had planned to discuss with Carol the idea of a boarding school in Johto, but it had not been discussed. "From now until the end of time, it will just be me, and perhaps my Totodile," Carol said unto Carol. And Carol joined the nefarious gang, Team Rocket, and started down the dark path she had set before herself, but that is another tale unto itself. "What is this?" came a voice from the ground! Carol sat in the woods outside of Rustburo, lamenting her failure to protect Alex Masters. It was not a voice that Carol recognized, or indeed understood, but she heeded it, and listened to the words that this new presence spoke. "Why do you fault yourself? These troubles you lay upon yourself, they are uncalled for- indeed, they should not be present!" "But who is this that speaks these words of encouragement? My ears do not understand your words and yet I know them well." "Do not be humbled, for I am among the smallest of creatures, but also do not be fooled! For I am wise in my years and I know much about the human spirit and all its joys and faults, though I am not your kin myself. No, do not be humbled, but do not think yourself greater! I am he who burrows into the ground and there finds both food and home, warmth and shelter, and safety from those that would do me harm!" "But I cannot see you, great master," Carol said unto the new voice. "Please, do not hide from me! You may have been trouble by my kin, but I wish you no harm. I wish to speak to you, and listen to your kind words! Please, come forward, and allow me to see what great master I parley with." And Carol looked down unto the ground. For behold! Crawling at her feet was a Nincada! "Cursed insect! I will smite you! Stand back, and trouble me no more!" "Do not fear me, I am no mere insect. I am a Nincada. I wish you no harm, and I hope that you will show likewise courtesy and spare me any harm, for the time being at least. But tell me of your troubles, young girl, for that is why I am here. I seldom speak to passing humans, and thus my ears have developed more than my mouth ever will." "I am worried for my friend's safety, I had joined the group to aid them with my skills, but I see now that I am unskilled! I have failed them, and I have not provided them with the services I promised. I am a liar and a thief! I told them I was Trent's apprentice, but even he is not so stupid as to abandon others like this! I did not learn enough from him in all my time, curse me!" "But if they are not harmed, then no blame can be brought to you! You must seek them out, and see to it that they are unharmed. Perhaps you will not live up to this Trent today, but remember that the longest path yields the greatest reward." "Nay, do not be mistaken! I do not wish to be like him. He is a fool and a charlatan, but he has a reputation that I wished to build upon. His father was a greater man than him, and I wish that I could have met him instead and learned from him." Carol recounted the exploits of William Retwin, for she knew many, and then she told the Nincada more of Trent, and told him of the device she had been tricked into attaching unto her ear. "Huzzah! You will be as a servant to me," Trent said unto her one day in the Silver Islands, upon one of their earliest meetings, "And from this day forward, I shall keep my Eye over you, and nothing that you do shall escape my gaze, for I see many things that you wish me not to see and I hear many things that you wish me not to hear, and beware! For I do not take betrayal lightly, and the design of this devil-machine attached to your ear reflects this. Your actions will be known to me, and from wherever I may stand, I can bring about a terrible wave of fire and wind from that device, and once summoned, they will rob you of all life and burn your body beyond recognition so that you will know full well that all who cross me pay with their lives on Earth and with their eternal suffering on the depths of the Underworld, as I once did. I am glad to have another in my employ, and the work will become much easier." It was then that Trent, in his blind arrogance, stepped on a nail and said unto it, "I curse this to utter damnation!" And Ashura, Trent's Sandslash squire, observed what Trent had done unto Carol, and he felt great pity for her! But Ashura did not help her, for he knew that she had brought this unto herself, and he said unto Trent, "Trent, thou art naught but a rooster. Excrement! Thou need not another servant, for you have me, and you have all of your other servants. Carnal intercourse, good sir, does thou not see that such a servant should be allowed thy freedom? Intercourse and excrement! Enough is enough, do not be a rooster!" And Trent, hearing this and heeding the words of his companion, said unto him, "No. That would be folly. Upon blackmail, this civilization was built. Also, have you forgotten that she has tried to take my live in a most cruel manner?" And Ashura said unto him: "I forgot about that completely. Please, spare me thy sword, for I repent for my misjudgment!" And Carol said unto them: "Unto." "Do not trouble yourself with such a situation," the Nincada said to her. "For I know your true origins! I know that your family was cast away from the island of Narsinor, in a self-imposed exile. Your father was a king to them, and never has he abdicated his throne, and still the people of Narsinor await their ruler and his glorious return, or one who can claim descent from their High King. For Martin Ross was not named Martin Ross, but named Varsilant the Mighty, nineteenth ruler of Narsinor, and his queen Gwenificus changed her name to Jenny, and upon the land of Kanto, they began a new life in exile, away from the riches and luxury of their life as monarchy in Narsinor. If you would but return to the island of Narsinor, and present your claim to the throne, you would be greeted as a princess, and should your father die in exile, you shall then ascend to the title of Queen of Narsinor!" "Such strange fortune!" Carol replied. "Could this all be true?" "No, I toy with your mind. But I may be of service to you, young lady, but verily, I must be challenged first, and then I will aid you in your search for your missing companions. Do you accept these terms?" "I accept them, wise Nincada, and I issue my champion! Go, Feraligatr!" Feraligatr was as large a beast as any had seen, so tall that the trees were but twigs in comparison to him, and he roared angrily at the Nincada. "Feraligatr, surf!" And so, the battle ended. The Nincada did not stand a chance against the barrage of water summoned forth by Feraligatr. Weakly, the Nincada looked up at Carol, for he had accepted this defeat with the heart of a true warrior. "You have earned my compassion, young Carol, and now, you have earned my friendship, trust and loyalty." "But I have beaten you! You are weak and injured, and may even be fatally wounded!" "Well that's the way things work around here!" And so, Carol threw a Pokéball at the weakened Nincada, and with three twitches and the blinking light as a beacon unto the world, the Nincada was captured. Carol stood up with a smile of satisfaction, and she brushed her hands through her red hair, and then petted her Feraligatr on the head. "You did well today, my old friend! You have served me well, and I hope that you will continue to serve me for many years to come." "True to my word, my lady, I will serve you until death," Feraligatr said unto her, and he was returned to his Pokéball. Carol placed her old champion and her new acquisition in her pockets, lined along her oversized jacket, and looked behind her, and behold! There was the Pokémon Center, and through the windows, she could see the rest of her party... and Alex! Alex was safe and sound! She had not failed, and was relieved at last! ... Carol paused for a moment. "Hmm. Maybe those berries I found back there weren't such a good idea after all. Ah well." She ran towards the Pokémon Center, but stopped. "Hmm... no, no, not yet. I'll keep a distance, for now. Besides, they need an agent who's not distracted by the huge crowd of people looking for this Smasher guy. I certainly won't find him if I have to watch out for twenty other people." BUT WHO WAS SHE TALKING TO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! [NS: If you made it through all this, I'll kick you] Jose L. Solano ------------------------------- A devious, degenerate defender of the devil ------------------------------- "It's too damn safe."