From: Spawn <nmvds@aol.computers> Subject: [PW!] Attempted Auto Theft Date: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 8:17 PM Recap: Following the fight scene the TR-BOT ["Magic Show Mayhem,"] Steve Fugues began to recover from his injuries with he help of Karen Oak. After Steve became involved in a heated argument at the Pokemon Mart with someone else, the two of them ate at Brock's Diner to talk and eat["Recovery.]. Afterwards, when Steve left to warm up his car, he was confronted with the man he met earlier. Who turned out to be a member of Team Rocket. ************** "Nice car," grinned the first member of Team Rocket. He was now dressed in all black with a giant "R" on his shit. Steve stood perfectly still, trying calculate his options. Physical combat would be difficult after getting beaten by the TR-BOT. His body still ached from the fight. And a Pokemon battle was out of the question since all his Pokemon had to be taken to the local center following the battle. Stupid robot. Steve had to figure out how to deal with the robot in the future. Once he figured out what all the parts did. He felt around his pocket to find the one part left in tact, the power cell, inside. But now his mind was digressing. The two simply starred at each other. "Anything you'd like to add?" Steve asked. "What we're trying to say is that we like your car," the Team Rocket member continued. "What we don't like is your attitude. Pokesoft is going to rule the world one day, and the least you could do is show some respect." "And why do you care?" Steve asked. "That's not for you to know," the second Team Rocket member quickly responded. Suspiciously quickly. "We are members of Team Rocket. My name is Adam and my friend who you were harassing at the store earlier is Ryan. We want the car, as a sign that you don't want trouble from our group." Trouble. If one was to look for trouble, Steve Fugues would be marked with a giant "X." It was sad, really. This morning he had taken on one of the most powerful warriors of Team Rocket and defeated him. Steve at one point seemed invincible to onlookers. Seemed like a god. Now, he was hopeless. A pathetic who had to worry about what a group like Team Rocket might do to him. Or so it seemed. With no one paying attention to his hands, Steve reached into his pocket for the power cell and put it up against the door handle. "I guess I don't have a lot of options, do I?" Steve asked, beginning to gather his strength, preparing for the few critical seconds which only he knew were about to occur. "No, you don't," said Ryan. "Then be my guest," said Steve as he walked away from the car and gradually closer to Adam. He was incredibly nervous and didn't know if his plan would work, but hid what anxiety he had. Who knew what would happen if he failed? He sure didn't. Nor did he want to. "YEOWWWWWWWWW!!!!" Ryan shouted as he reached for the handle. The door handle apparently created a short circuit for the battery, exhausting its supply of energy and converting it to heat. Think of a light bulb, only without the light and ten times the heat. Kids, don't try this at home. While Ryan was burned, the Adam was shocked. Steve threw the warmed battery he held through a handkerchief to act as a weak insulator to surprise and confuse him further. Adam didn't know how to react. That's when Steve held the sword he had forgotten to give back to Marvin high above his head. The moonlight bouncing off it added a light glow, and the Adam had never been more intimidated in his life. Steve caught Adam off guard, which Adam was now regretting as he looked forward to see an unexpected assailant. Adam didn't expect Steve to gain the upper hand. He certainly didn't know what to expect next. Right now, he was trying hard not to wet his pants. Meanwhile, Steve took a deep breath, realizing he had to be precise. SSSSSSSSSSHHINK!!!!!!!! Steve sliced clean through Adam's belt, denying him access to his Pokeballs. The sword then raised up to the Rocket's neck and stopped. Steve starred into Adam's eyes threateningly, and Adam knew that half an inch closer would mean the difference between life and death. Steve gave a sadistic grin as he kicked the belt away. It was fear and fear alone that philosopher Thomas Hobbes believe was necessary for a government to maintain any sense of dominance. Steve was testing that theory. "Enough!!!" shouted Ryan. Steve didn't expect him to recover so quickly. Well laid plans often have complications. Steve saw that he was now standing next to a Pikachu with his hand on the Corvette's hood, still cool to the touch. "Pikachu, thunderwave, now!" he shouted. "Adam, get me some ice for my damn hand!" "Pika-Pika-Pika..." the little Pikachu began to chant, "...CHU!!!!!!!!" Steve was paralyzed by the shock. On a good day, he might've stood a chance. On a good day, he might be able to continue his game of playing one man army. Unfortunately, this wasn't a good day for him. "Now, get this through your thick skull," said Ryan. "We are members of Team Rocket. We do not like you. The fact that we don't like you is absolutely nothing to be proud of. For one thing, it will not be something that will keep you alive in the years to come. Or even the next few minutes. "Here's your ice," said Adam as he handed the first member of Team Rocket a bag. "Thanks," he said as he eagerly placed his hand into the bag. "Pikachu, use a thunderbolt this time!" "Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika..." it began to chant as pure electricity went through his body. Steve winced in anticipation. He knew that this was going to hurt. Suddenly, the ground start to tremble. "...CCCHHHHHUUUU--?" the Pikachu began to utter just before the ground seemed to swallow him up, insulating the blast. Everyone was understandably surprised. There was dead silence and no one knew what to make of it. Suddenly, a tiny Pokemon popped his head up through the ground "Diglett!" it shouted. With some difficulty, Steve raised his head up. And spotted Karen. If he wasn't still recovering from the Thunder wave, he would hug her right about now. "I've been wondering were you went, girlie," Ryan said as he smiled. He reached for a Pokeball of his. "Cute Pokemon. Adam, get your belt and warm up the car. Poliwag, go!" "Diglett, sand attack!" Karen shouted. "Poliwag, water gun!" he countered. Just then, Adam ran towards Steve. "I'm borrowing these," said Adam as he picked up a set of keys lying next to Steve and ran for his belt. **************** The Diglet began to throw huge quantities of sand to get in the eyes of Poliwag just as the Poliwag tried to aim his water gun. It missed. "Poliwag, keep trying!" Ryan shouted. The Poliwag started spraying water everywhere, and despite the Diglett's speed, it couldn't postpone the inevitable. "DIGGGGGG-LETT!" the tiny Diglett shouted as he was taken out of commission. "Diglett, return!" Karen ordered. "Well, good-bye everybody!" Ryan laughed as he entered the car and took off. Steve was understandably depressed. "I did not just get into a fight with the TR-BOT only to lose against these guys," said Steve. "You might have lost," said Karen, "WE haven't." "Huh?" Steve asked. "You'll see," she smiled. Karen took out her two remaining Pokeballs and released Jigglypuff and Abra. ************ "This is a sweet ride," said Ryan as he laughed to himself. "Let's stop by the local Pokemon Mart. I hope that burn heals works on people." Suddenly, a right light flashed inside the car. "Hey, a Jigglypuff!" Adam smiled as he noticed something in the rear view mirror.. "Those are supposed to be rare. There must be all sorts of good junk in this car. "You idiot," said Ryan as he eyed the Abra, "she wasn't here before! That Abra teleported her here!" "But that would mean.." "Cover your ears!" Adam hit the brakes, took his hands off the wheel to cover his ears. The Jigglypuff took her mike. "Jigg-ilypuff, Jigg-ily-ily-puff... Jig-ilypuff..." she began to sing. ************ Officer Jenny rode to the scene in her bike along with Steve and Karen. "Thanks for the ride," said Karen. "Don't mention it," said Officer Jenny. "Thanks for the assistance earlier this morning," Steve half smiled. He was so tired that everything seemed surreal for him. It was half dream like, but he figured he was in too much pain right now to be dreaming. He just wanted to go to sleep. "So what do you want to do now?" asked Karen as Jenny began to haul Ryan and Adam away. "I just want to go to sleep," said Steve. He looked with tired eyes up at Karen's face and realized for the first time how angelic she looked. "Why don't you drive? And stop by the local Pokemon Center on the way, I don't want to go through another beating before the night is over." "I'll be happy to," Karen smiled, looking over at the man slumping over next to her. He had a long day. "Karen, you know, you saved my life today," said Steve. "I guess I did," said Karen. "Thanks," Steve said. Karen was a little surprised by his sincerity. "Don't mention it, Steve" she replied. Silence. "Steve?" Steve had fallen asleep. "Steve, I can't pick up your Pokemon if you're asleep," she continued. Still silence. "Well, it's been a long day I guess," she smiled to herself as she left. TBC Next time: Steve can't seem to get himself in the Pokemon spirit!!! As he tries to explain his problems, a talking Meowth suggests he participate in a match at the local gym. Will somebody finally be able to find explain to him what "Pokemon is all about?" Find out in the next musical installment of Steve Fugues and Karen Oak, titled "Merry Cascadebadge, Steven Fugues!" -Spawn To reply, remove "puters" from the e-mail address.