From: Magic T. Dragon <cvilagi@earthlink.net> Subject: [PW!] Piece of Magikr**... Date: Friday, April 30, 1999 9:15 AM [last time: Natasha wasted $200 on Magikarp.] Natasha wandered about Pewter City for a few minutes before noticing a road sign. "Mt. Moon to Cerulean city...I guess that's the way to go...C'mon, guys!" She started off for Mt. Moon. After only a few feet, Weedle started complaining. She sighed. "All right then...back in your Pokéball." Weedle disappeared in a flash of red. Natasha clipped that ball next to the golden one. Cubone chased Charmander for a while, until Charmander got sick of it and went after Cubone. Just after the group passed a "Now leaving Pewter City" sign, a boy ran to Natasha. "Hey you! You have Pokémon...wanna battle?" "Sure. Two on two?" "Okay!" They found a small clearing. The boy threw a Pokéball. "Caterpie, go!" "Hmmm...I guess I'll try out my new one...Magikarp, go!" The gold-painted Pokéball opened, revealing...Magikarp. The pathetic red fish flopped around, with a constant chant of "Karp karp Magikarp, karp karp Magikarp..." Natasha almost choked. "Okay, Magikarp...tackle?" Magikarp continued flopping. "Scratch? Growl? Leer? PECK?!" Nothing. Natasha muffled a scream and pulled the Pokédex from her backpack, pointing it at Magikarp. "This Magikarp knows: Splash." "All right, then, Magikarp! Splash!" The fish flopped harder. The boy grinned. "Okay, Caterpie, String Shot!" "Pie, cater!" Caterpie crept towards Magikarp, somewhat confused. It shot a sticky line at Magikarp, quickly wrapping it up. Magikarp flopped weakly. "ARG! Magikarp, return!" Natasha pressed the button, sending Magikarp back out of battle. "Charmander, go." Charmander bounded out, his tail flame seeming larger than ever. "Charmander, Ember!" "Tackle it, Caterpie!" Charmander spun in a circle, creating an ominous ring of fire. Caterpie dove forward...right into the flames. It squealed in pain, managing to push down its opponent as it fell. The burns were plainly visible. "Oh no! Caterpie! Just say you knocked him out, okay?!" Caterpie disappeared into his Pokéball. "Go, Metapod!" "Charmander, good job! Come back! Go on, Cubone!" As Cubone entered the field, Metapod materialized. "Cubone, bone club!" "Metapod, harden!" Metapod sat totally still. His shell slowly hardened. Cubone was puzzled, but whacked Metapod. "Again! This'll be easy!" "Metapod, I said harden!" Before Metapod could react, Cubone smacked it again...this time, knocking it out. If anyone could tell the difference... "Darn...Metapod, return." "Come back, Cubone. Hey kid, what're you don't sending a cocoon into battle? It'll hatch soon enough..." "Yeah, but...if he doesn't fight, he might, uh, forget how!" Natasha just shrugged and continued on the road. --Natasha V.