From: Ig88sw82 <ig88sw82@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] The King of Karp Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 11:44 PM After a few hours of walking, Mark finally reached the Pokémon Center. And none too soon, since he was practically dragging Oddish the whole way. "Don't worry Oddish, we're here," Mark assured his Pokémon, wondering what was taking Ebony so long. The double-doors whooshed open as Mark stepped into the Center. He walked straight to the front counter, where a smiling Nurse Joy was waiting. Every time Mark saw these people, it really freaked him out. Like something from the Matrix or something... Joy interrupted his train of thought, "Would you like your Pokémon healed?" "Yes please," and Mark handed her his Pokéballs and Oddish. It wasn't that Oddish didn't like the Pokéball, it just enjoyed the exercise. "Will it take long?" Joy giggled. "Your Pokémon will be perfect in no time," and she winked at him. Funny, Mark thought, I didn't think Joy had green eyes. Noticing that Mark was staring, Nurse Joy quickly turned and brought Mark's Pokémon through a back curtain. --- As Mark sat, a man walked up to him and sat at his table. "Excuse me, young man, are you a Pokémon trainer?" "Yeah." "Just the person I wanted to see!" and the man vigorously shook Mark's hand. "Today is your lucky day!" "My lucky day?" Mark wasn't sure what was going on. "Today you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Today I am going to sell you this!" At this the man pulled from his trenchcoat a golden Pokéball. Mark wasn't impressed. "That's gold paint, mister." "The color isn't important! It's what's in the ball that counts!" "Which is..." "Why, none other then the King of Karp, Magikarp!" "Magikarp?" Mark began to reach for his PokéDex. The man grabbed his arm. "PokéDex doesn't do this Pokémon justice! I tell you, today only you can purchase this rare and powerful water Pokémon for the all-time low price of $500, a real bargain!" Mark thought for a moment. "If this Pokémon is so rare and powerful, why don't you just keep it for yourself?" "Um, well, I'm not much of a trainer myself. I'm merely a salesman. Plus, you looked like a smart trainer, someone deserving of this uncommon treat! What do you say?" "Sure. The more Pokémon the better, right?" The man shook his hand again. "Exactly! One more Pokémon for the team!" Mark gave the man the money, and was given the gleaming Pokéball. As the man walked away, Mark could hear him mutter something: "Third one this week." "What was that?" The man turned around and smiled. "Well, er, I was just thinking of what to do without this Pokémon. But i'll survive. Don't worry about me. Later," and he hurried out the door. Mark was about to look at his new Pokémon when Nurse Joy returned. "Your Pokémon are looking great! Please come back soon!" and she handed him his Pokéballs. Oddish jumped into his arms. "Oddish odd! Oddish!" "Good to see you too, Oddish," Mark said, thinking about his Magikarp, wondering what powerful attacks it had...