Subject: [PW!] Beginnings Date: Thu, 01 Apr 1999 19:11:17 -0800 From: "Magic T. Dragon" <cvilagi@earthlink.net> Organization: EarthLink Network, Inc. Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Natasha shifted on her bed, remote in hand. "Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Already saw it...D'oh!" The remote slipped and fell to the ground, bouncing under her desk. "Oh well. This doesn't look that bad, anyway." She turned her attention to the screen. A man faced the camera. "We'll be right back." The girl groaned as a commercial break interrupted what looked to be a worthwhile show. Her attention went from the poc-marks on the ceiling to the screen, however, as the work 'Pokémon' was spoken. The TV flashed brightly, images of all sorts of Pokémon appearing on the screen. "Are you an expert on Pokémon? Or would you like to get one of your own? Visit the Pokémon Convention, now at the Celadon Department Store!" Natasha grabbed her wallet and tore down the stairs. "Mom! Mom! I'm going to the store! Bye!!" Before her mother could say anything, she was out the door. She pushed her way through the crowds and into the huge department store. As she entered, the same voice came over the intercom: "New to Pokémon training? Come to floor five! Good starting Pokémon for sale!" Natasha dashed into the elevator and pounded the button for the top floor. Floor five was packed. Natasha had a hard time reaching the back wall, where a woman was talking to the crowd. "For only $500, you can purchase your own Pokémon! We also include a PokéBall to keep him in, and an extra PokéBall to catch a wild Pokémon! If you would like to buy a Pokémon, please press the button on the front of his display and we'll be over in a moment to help you." Natasha looked the remaining Pokémon over. They were all out of their PokéBalls and behind a wire mesh. A sign above the button indicated the names. Rattata, Pidgey, Charmander...she paused Charmander was adorable. She pushed through the croud towards the button. "Mine!" A young girl, maybe 9, jammed the button before Natasha could reach it. She swore under her breath and looked back at Rattata and Pidgey. No, they were already taken. Sighing, she watched as another button was pushed. Several times she tried to reach an available Pokémon, but she was always too late. The crowd started to thin. Holding back a cry of failure, she headed towards the elevator. A voice stopped her. "Cu Cubone! Bone! Cu cu Cubone!" Natasha spun around and looked for the Pokémon. Only one remained. She looked at the sign: Cubone. Now crowd stood in her way. No one even noticed the little creature, face hidden by a skull, sitting alone. She dove forward, pressing the button. A saleswoman came quickly. "You want Cubone? All right! That will be $500, please." Beaming, Natasha gave the woman the money and picked up Cubone. "Bone bone Cubone!" It waved its bone. Natasha took both PokéBalls and clipped them to her belt loops. "Come on! We've got a lot to do." "Bone?" --Natasha V. "CHARR!" "Bone bone Cubone!"