From: TheRunt411 <therunt411@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] Well, While I'm here... Date: Sunday, April 25, 1999 5:48 PM (For your convenience, a summary of this episode appears at the bottom) Since we last left him, Runt has manly just hung around Celadon - doing pokémon battles, relaxing, and such. As a result, Peewee has evolved into metapod. Having nothing better to do, Runt has decided to compete for the Rainbow badge. We now rejoin him just outside the Celadon City Gym. "From what Uncle Joe says," thinks Runt aloud, "this gym specializes in grass pokémon." He unzips his fanny pack and looks in, "My best bet for winning is if I use a fire pokémon - Go Pixie!" he shouts tossing the vermilion pokéball to the ground. "Vulpix!" she yelps happily. "Feelin' alright - Wanna go fight some grass pokémon?" he asks. "Vul-pix!" she replies, nodding her head enthusiastically. "Then let's go..." Upon entering the gym, their noses are greeted by the delicate smell of perfume. "Welcome to the Celadon Gym," says a young woman enters the room and bows. Runt bows as well. "My name is Erika, I run this gym. Have you come to get some perfume, or perhaps you wish to challenge me for a Rainbow badge?" "The latter," replies Runt. "Very well. Follow me to the arena." They walk into an ajoining room to the arena. Runt examines it, 'It's just a patch of dirt in the center of a flowerbed,' he thinks to himself. "Standard rules, and you may use up to 3 pokémon. Ready?" she asks. "Ready." "Victreebel, Go!" "Pixie, I choose you!" "Victreebel, Growth!" "Pixie, Ember attack," commands Runt As Victreebel plants itself in the arena's soil, Pixie begins to shake herself - sending little embers everywhere. Victreebel is visibly annoyed. "Victreebel, Wrap attack!" Erika cries. "Pixie! Keep shakin'!" Keeping up her arsonistic assault, Pixie begins to shake more energetcally. Despite its pain, Victreebel manages to get a grip on its opponent. "Good job Victreebel," comments Erika. "Now use Poison Powder!" Runt frantically searches his possessions for a vile of antidote. "VULLLL!!!" roars Pixie in agony as its foe begins rubbing poisonous powder into her fur. Surprised by its adversary's sudden shout, Victreebel loosens its grip slightly. Pixie takes advantage of this and escapes its grasp. "Victreebel, Sleep powder!" "Pixie, Quick Attack Now!" Runt shouts. The firey fox pounces on its target just as it releases the sleep spores into the air, she then dives out of the way as they drift down onto Victreebel. Pixie winces from the poison in her fur. "Victreebel return! Go Tangela." "Pixie, Tail whip!" "Tangela, Constrict!" Pixie waves tails back and forth repeatedly. Meanwhile, Tangela trips on rouge pebble in the arena and is unable to grab her with its vines. "Pixie, Ember attack!" "Tangela, Use Bind!" commands Erika The walking vine wad manages to get a hold of Pixie, but not before she burns it with her attack. Because of the poison, Pixie becomes too weak to struggle free. Singed, Tangela is able to do little more than keep ahold of its prey. Tense moments pass as the trainer wait to see who'll faint first, but Tangela's more serious burns get the better of it. "Tangela return!" Erika cries, "Vileplume, I choose you!" Runt tosses a water balloon filled with Super potion at Pixie. The balloon pops and the liquid is absorbed into Pixie's skin. Her head glows pink for a moment. Runt raises his pokédex and scans her: { Vulpix. This fire pokémon is currently at level 28 and knows the following attacks: Quick Attack, Confuse Ray, Tail Whip, and Ember } "Hmm...Pixie, try Confuse Ray," suggests Runt "Vileplume, Acid attack." Pixie nods knowingly and stares into Vileplume's eyes - a flash of crimson light passes from one pokémon to the other. Vileplume disorientedly tries to hit its target with a blast of acid, but hits itself instead. Pixie again winces from the still present poison. "Good job Pixie. Keep it off-balance -- Quick Attack!" "Vileplume, Stun spore!" yells Erika. As fast as she can, Pixie zips around her adversary several time before pouncing on its head and then dashing away. Bewildered further Pixie's attack, Vileplume harmlessly blasts its stun spore at the wall before falling flat on its face. "This is hopeless," sighs Erika. "Vileplume Return! Good match Runt," she says, extending a hand. "Same to you," Runt replies, shaking her hand. "Using poison powder was a good idea." "Yah - That reminds me." She remove a vile from her pocket and pours its contents on her hands. "Come here Pixie!" "Vulpix?" says Pixie warily as she steps towards Erika. "Don't worry, its just antidote," Erika remarks, rubbing her hands through the fox's fur. She then stands and holds out a colorful gem, "And here's your rainbow badge. Now, would you like to buy some perfume?" <To Be Continued...> Summary: Runt visits the Celadon Gym and earns a Rainbow badge with Pixie's help. _______________________________________________________________________ "Slow and steady wins the race."