From: TheRunt <therunt411@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] Soul (Badge) Searchin' Date: Friday, June 25, 1999 11:52 PM (For your convenience, a summary of this episode appears at the bottom) As Runt wakes up, he looks out a nearby window to see dawn beginning to break. Surveying the boys' sleeping quarters, he sees no signs of activity in anyone. "Good," he says to himself. He quickly jots down a note and gently tucks it under Bulletproof, on the pillow near Damian's head. Carefully, he tiptoes out of the Pokécenter and into the lifeless street. "Let's see, who should I use in battle today?" ponders Runt. He reaches into his fanny, pulls out a couple pokéballs, then tosses them to the ground. "Shwew? San shwew," grumbles Rolly, rubbing his eyes. {I'm with the mouse - It's too early} sends Kreskin while stretching. "Yah, but you guys know I'm a shy with some things - and Gym battles are one of them." The Sandshrew massages his belly with a paw, then looks at his master. "Sh-wew?" "Hungry?" asks Runt. {Famished} "Okay." Runt digs into his backpack. "Here, a Sandshrew Snack for you -- And a Butterfree Biscuit for you. {Thanks. Hey, why don't you bring out the new guy?} thinks the Butterfree. {I haven't gotten a chance to see him since he was a rock} "Good idea -- Skitter, Go!" A black Kabuto materializes next to Rolly. "K'boo?" it chirps. Rolly rubs its shell, "San." {Cool, Transportation} remarks Kreskin mentally as he lands on the shellfish Pokémon. Rolly shoots him a dirty look. {Wha?} The small group heads off for the city gym. Upon entering the gym, the group can tell that this is no ordinary gym. After 15 or so minutes of wandering around, bumping into invisible walls, and stepping over unconscious ninjas, the group finally makes it to the arena. "Koga!?" shouts Runt "Where are you?! I want to challenge you for a Soul Badge!" "Why, I'm right behind you..." replies a voice as a hand touches his shoulder. After a moment of extreme surprise, Runt regains his composure. "Even though I don't usually get challenges this early in the morning, I accept. I hope a 4-on-4 match will be acceptable." He bows in respect. "Go Venomoth!" Runt bows. "Kreskin, Go!" "Venomoth, Tackle," commands Koga. "Kreskin, Psychic Attack!" yells Runt As the moth begins it's attack, Kreskin's antennae begin to glow with a greenish hue. A split second before it collides with him, the Venomoth stops midair - it's head surrounded by a green aura. It's then thrown back suddenly. "Venomoth, Leech Life" orders Koga. "Kreskin, Confuse that pest!" shouts Runt. Before the Butterfree can do anything, Venomoth is latched on to him. Kreskin winces in pain. But, after being able to shake it of, he begins to fly around erratically - faster and faster until he's just a vague blur of colors. Venomoth is bounce around the room until there is a blinding flash. When Runt's eyes recover, the room appears to be on it's side. "Venomoth, Use Psybeam!" "Kreskin, Finish him off - Tackle him!" The disoriented Venomoth flaps around and tries to fire off a Psybeam. Just as it manages to, the determined Butterfree slams it into a wall and the Psybeam just misses Koga. "Venomoth, Return," commands Koga, "Muk, Go!" "Nice Job Kreskin, take a rest. Skitter, I choose you!" "Muk, Pound that pitiful thing!" "Skitter, Harden - Quickly" As the Muk's gloppy fist swings down to smash the shellfish, a barely visible dark gray aura temporarily surrounds it. As slimy hand is raised back up, Skitter is seen obviously still in tact. "Muk, cover that thing in Sludge" orders the Ninja master. "Skitter, Bubble Attack!" Taking in a big breath, the Muk sends a toxic loogie towards its small adversary. Meanwhile, Skitter blows a big bubble and sends it into the air. The poisonous spit wad slams into the sphere of water and, after a moment of instability, is trapped inside it as it slowly glides to the blob of goo. "Muk, Poison Gas - Now!" "Skitter, use Surf" The disgusting poison Pokémon lets out a horrendous belch. As the gas cloud heads towards Skitter, a small wave of water comes from beneath him and slams the still floating flem-filled bubble into the Muk's mouth. "Muk, return! Koffing, Attack!" "Skitter, return! Go Rolly!" "Koffing, Smog Attack," Koga commands. "Rolly, Slash!" Runts shouts. While smog begins to spew forth from the Koffing's body, Rolly slashes at it. Coughing from the smog, he misses - but the momentum of the slash spins him around and he connects with it the second time. "Koffing, Tackle!" "Rolly, better wait this round out," suggests Runt. After Rolly curls into a ball, Koffing rams into him sending him rolling into a wall. "Koff-ing!" it cries. "We're not doing enough damage - Self Destruct!" The Koffing closes its mouth and shuts its mouth, it then begins to puff up like a balloon. Soon the pressure is too much for it and it explodes, releasing a fowl sent as it does. "Weezing, Go!" As the Weezing materializes, Rolly starts to roll around the room. "Sludge attack, Now!" yells Koga Rolly begins to build speed. Weezing shoots slime out of its body, weakening Rolly. Unfortunately, it also adds to his speed. He begins ricocheting off the walls, off the ceiling - bouncing everywhere. Runt dives under the cover of a nearby table. Koga mearly anticipates whenever Rolly comes too close and sidesteps him. Weezing, however, isn't so lucky and gets pummeled by the high-velocity Pokémon. "Weezing, return," commands Koga. "You were a worthy adversary. Here is your Soul Badge." He holds it out and Runt accepts it. "Thank-you," says Runt, bowing. On his way to get some food, Runt runs into his friends. "Sorry 'bout ditchin' you guys - I'm a little self-conscious about fighting in front of others..." "That's okay," replies Christy with a smile. "I'm gonna go get something to eat, then I'll meet back up with you guys at the Gym." "Then I take it you were successful?" asks Jon. "Yup," Runt says as he displays his new badge. "I'm starving, I gotta go get somethin' to eat - Good luck guys!" "Thanks," says Sarah Jane. "Oh - and be careful of the invisible walls, they hurt." <To Be Continued...> Summary: Runt sneaks off by himself to the Fuchsia City Gym. There he challenges Koga for a Soul Badge and wins. _______________________________________________________________ "Slow and steady wins the race."