From: Nolan Slover <nolanpslover@lynxus.com> Subject: [PW!] Tower Chatter At The Cerulean City Airport Date: Friday, April 16, 1999 11:24 PM It seemed as though Stephanie had been sitting forever in the airport terminal. Even in Cerulean City, it was busy. Apparently the Three Terrific Sisters (and one runt) were putting on a water-Pokémon show that they weren't too sure about themselves. They had run it through one audition and had decided due to the same old performance time after time after time after time after time it was the best opportunity to introduce a new act to the fans. 'If I see that blasted Misty, airport or no, she's going down...and I'm taking her Staryu as well.', the casually dressed Team Rocket member said as she flipped through her Pokédex, reading up on the newest types of discovered Pokémon. 'Bunch of freaking yuppies if you ask me. This has been too long a tradition, and I'm appalled that it's gotten to this level of showmanship. It's still going to be interesting not really having to answer to Giovanni, as he's not my direct boss. I'm an independent contractor Team Rocket member.' She had began to read up on some of Annette's history and how she was going to do in the field seeing as that she'd been trained to be the family pet, not a battle Pokémon. It almost stymied her that she brought Annette along with the knowledge that the best attack she had was the Growl. Thought consumed her as she tried to ignore the sleeping Growlithe next to her. Jigglypuff was toting a marker as if to do a little doodling, but Annette's barking had discouraged the Jigglypuff from trying. In a moment of pause, Stephanie had reached into her purse to grab her Pokédex and Jigglypuff went ahead with uncapping the marker, and doodling...on Stephanie's hand. After grabbing the Pokédex from her bag, she looked at the Jigglypuff with a 'why did you try?' gaze indicating that she wasn't upset but curious as to why Jigglypuff tried to do such a foolish thing to Annette. She had already attacked her once, and from the way Annette's head was turned, the Growlithe was more than read to do it again. As if on cue, the cellular phone in Stephanie's purse rang. "Damn." She reached in, after keeping a close eye on Jigglypuff to make sure she didn't do anything stupid, grabbing it and proceeded in pressing a button on the phone. "Hello?" "<That you, Steph?>" "Phil? Big brother?" "<One and only. Where are you?>" "Stuck in this horrific airport, waiting for my contact from Rocket HQ. How are you doing?" "<Well, I've been better. I ended up seriously wounding a trainer yesterday.>" "What?!? What happened?" "<His Voltorb was getting a little antsy and my Raichu noticed this...well, I was quick in realizing when you combine Magnetic with Electric you get...>" "Bang. Who took the worst of it?" "<Guys Voltorb was blown beyond recognition. Waste of a good Pokémon. He took it in the stomach and the eye, mostly second degree burns. We took him to the hospital...he'll be out in a few days.>" "How's the Raichu?" "<Scared to death. Hasn't said a word to me since he Thundershocked that Voltorb.>" "Damn. What about the other Pokémon?" "<Won't come out of their Pokéballs, even when summoned. I've taken them to the Viridian City Pokémon Center, see what Joy can do for them. What they need is a psychologist.>" "Yeah, I can see that happening—"Wanted: Pokémon Psychologist for the local Pokémon Center. Please apply to Nurse Joy in person at your local Pokémon Center." I'd be the first in line." "<Indeed. I'm thinking of taking a couple of months off...let these guys get over it. We forget that Pokémon have a sense of when another one dies around them...gets kind of freaky. It's rumored that they can actually feel the sensation of the death of that Pokémon.>" "Remind me never to get involved in something that dangerous. You coming back this year for the family picnic? I'm making your favorite..." "<Sounds tempting. I'll have to talk to Mom and my partner to see what they think, but Rocket's in no need of any massive acceleration in its output. If Giovanni doesn't like it, too bad. I'm on vacation.>" "Sounds like a plan to me. One last thing...how do you keep a Jigglypuff from risking himself in the way of death to a Growlithe?" "<Is she messing around with Annette again? Dammit, I warned that Jigglypuff to realize that Annette is not one to screw with.>" "Well, some of us forget more easily than others." "PUFF!" Looking down at her pink companion, Stephanie said "Oh, hush." "PUFF, PUFF!" Having no choice but to sigh, she replied "Look, now she's mad." "<She'll get over it. Talk to Annette, maybe that'll make Jigglypuff feel better.>" "You're not suggesting...?" "<You want a mad Jigglypuff? Almost as bad as a incensed Primeape.>" "True. I'll ask her, but you owe me for this if I get chomped or anything." "<I hear ya. Well, we'd better get going. Looks like it's about to pour out here."> "Okay. Give me a call when you can." "<Will do, sis. Seeya.>" "Bye-bye."