Subject: [PW!] Friends at the Fuschia Pokemon Center
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 02:55:01 -0400
From: Roberto Perez-Vila
Organization: Prodigy Internet http://www.prodigy.com
Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon
Nendil wrote:
> Robert picked up the fallen bike and rolled it to Rilli's side. "It's
> getting
> late in the afternoon! We better get going, and hope there are no
> other
> interruptions on the way." He looked at the two ghosts, now
> re-styling the punk
> biker's hair into short braids. "Then again, we probably don't have
> much to
> worry about!"
Indeed, their journey downward is rather rapid in comparison to their
last trip to Fuschia City using the alternate route. On the way down on
their two-seater bike, Robert and Rilli enjoy the sights. Various Doduo
search for worms in the tall grasses to gather an early dinner, probably
for their baby Doduo resting in hidden nests. As the Bike Route
continues southward, it becomes narrow and the ocean is seen on both
sides. On occasion, a Seaking leaps out of the water, just to splash
back in moments later. Robert spies the crimson blotches of Tentacool on
the surface of the water, and he secretly hopes that the bike doesn't
topple over again, fearing the horrible creatures of the sea that would
await him...
The trail ends on a small cliff, which almost sends Robert and Rilli
flying off their bikes! When the brakes are hit, Robert complains about
the abrupt end to Route17, "Are they trying to kill us or something?!"
Mithril-rama can't think up a witty remark, so she just hops off the
two-seater and says, "It's getting late, let's return the bike! The
rental shop is right over there..." She points eastward to a building
similar to the one outside Celadon.
* Moments later *
"What do you mean I scratched it?!" Robert blurts out at the man behind
the counter, before recomposing himself, and asking, "How much will it
cost?"
* Moments later *
Robert walks out of the Bike Rental shop with his jeans' pockets turned
inside out.
Mithril-rama shakes her head as she exits the shop herself, "You know, I
had more than enough money to pay for it! I feel it was partly my fault,
since I couldn't brake before crashing into that guy. Oh yeah, where are
our Haunters?"
On cue, the ghostly duo flies into the area, laughing at each other.
Robert's Haunter notices his trainer's pockets pulled out, so he does
the same trick with his tongue. Rilli's Haunter guffaws and Licks
Robert's Haunter's tongue!. The male Haunter stiffens more than usual.
"Haw... Haw... Haw..." The female Haunter swings her tongue all around!
Before any other part of his Haunter stiffens, Robert recalls the Ghost
Pokemon into his Pokeball. Mithril-rama does the same with her Ghost.
Holding hands, Robert and Rilli walk into Fuschia City. They know when
they've arrived, since there are many pink and purple flowers lining the
roads. Already knowing where the Pokemon Center is, they arrive there
without having to stop to ask directions. Mithril-rama says, "You told
me to remind you to change Pokemon, Robert!"
"Right!" Robert runs into the Pokemon Center and finds a computer
console immediately. He shudders when he sees the computer console where
he read about Quethiril's death. He goes over to the one farthest from
that one and logs on to the Internet, to find the one usual message from
Bill. He double-clicks on it.
"Dear Friend,
I've been training your Charmeleon, and I simply don't notice any
aggression in him. Perhaps he's only mean at you because he didn't get
to know you when he was a Charmander since I was the one who trained
him. Or rather, that he recognizes me as his original trainer instead of
you. I suggest you spend some quality time with him, and perhaps he will
start to feel more comfortable obeying your commands. Cubone seems to
feel somewhat better, but I think he misses being with you. Slowbro
doesn't mind being here, since I give him plenty of Pokechow! And
Tauros? Well, I don't bother releasing Tauros too much. The last time I
did, he seemed much more relaxed. Like he got something out of his
system. Anyhow, be sure to write back! I like hearing how your Pokemon
adventure is going.
Yours Truly, Bill"
Robert nods quietly, looking over his shoulder to see Mithril-rama
giving her Pokemon to Nurse Joy for recovery. He decides to take the
time to type up a reply. Just as he hits the "Reply" button an
unfamiliar screen pops up. "Ring Ring Ring! Ring Ring Ring! Phone Call!
Phone call! Ring Ring Ring! Ring Ring Ring! Poko! Poko!"
"AHHHH! Make it stop!" Robert holds the sides of his head in an attempt
to block out the annoying noise.
Mithril-rama quickly runs up and clicks the "Receive" button. The
computer screen shows a large moving image of Bill. The green haired
young man seems depressed.
"Oh! Hello!" Bill says in a friendly tone that doesn't seem to hide his
sadness, "I just saw you were online, and decided to have a video chat.
It's been a while since I've actually seen you... My... you've
changed... somewhat..."
"What's wrong?" Robert and Mithril-rama both ask, since they both sensed
Bill's flustered state.
Bill looks downward while offering a response, "I let one too may people
try one of my greatest inventions... and it broke. It took me a lifetime
to perfect that machine. Well, maybe not perfect, but you get the
idea... Now it's gone!"
"Oh... I'm sorry." Robert isn't sure how to deal with Bill's problem,
"Are you going to be okay?"
Bill looks back up and nods, "I believe so. That machine was always
causing problems for my friends, anyhow, randomly turning them into
Pokemon. Quite bothersome. I'll be okay. I did notice you sent me a
brand new Pokemon today, but I haven't opened the Ultra Ball yet. Hold
on, I have it right here. I'll open it now!"
"NOOOO!" Robert and Mithril-rama both advise him against it, but it's
too late. The video screen on the computer flashes red. Bill disappears
from the screen and instead a part of a Snorlax's belly is seen growing
and shrinking as Robert's fat female Snorlax breathes. Robert
sweatdrops, "Uh... Bill? ... Bill?"
The right speaker of the computer emits Bill's voice, "I was able to
move out of the way in time... but your Snorlax doesn't seem to want to
go back into her Ultra Ball. This might take me a while. Talk to you
later!" The video screen fizzles out on the image of Robert's Snorlax's
belly.
"Oh my..." Robert pulls one arm behind his neck, "Let me just switch
some Pokemon, Rilli. Go off and try to find us a room to stay for the
night!" As Mithril-rama leaves, Robert contemplates who should make up
his new team. "Bill thinks I should spend time with Cubone and
Charmeleon... So they're in... And I miss Slowbro, too." Robert glances
down at the six Pokeballs on his belt. "Raichu's been with me since I
caught her. It's time she takes a break. And Farfetch'd can also take a
break for a while. Plus, Golduck hasn't been helping me much since she's
so clumsy... Hmmm."
After transferring Pokeballs back and forth from Bill's Lighthouse,
Robert's Pokemon team has been slightly altered. The six slots on his
belt hold these Pokemon in this order: Haunter, Cubone, Graveler,
Vileplume, Slowbro, and Charmeleon. Robert smiles as he examines all the
Pokeballs on his belt, "Yes, this team will do for now!"
Mithril-rama walks up to Robert, who is still sitting on the chair in
front of the computer, "Hey, Robert, don't those kids over there look
familiar to you?" Mithril-rama points off to a corner in the Pokemon
Center.
Robert squints his eyes, "Hey! It's those people we met up with in Mount
Moon! We haven't seen them since the time we were heading here and they
were heading to Lavender Town... The one in the overalls is Sarah Jane,
and that one's Jon, and the boy with the Magnemite circling his head is
Damian... Wait a minute. Magnemite?"
Mithril-rama chuckles, "Yeah, it did look kind of weird. I didn't
recognize him."
Just then, Robert notices Christine Flye, "Oh my, Nori's grown up a LOT
since I last saw her! And dyed her hair blonde too... and grew it
longer... and got new clothes. She's like a whole different person! Not
that I'm complaining!"
Rilli mumbles something under her breath when she notices drool on
Robert's lips, "Should we say hello to them?"
"I don't know... they seem sad about something." Robert places his hand
on his chin, "Even more sad than Bill. We'll just go over there and say
hello and see what happens..." Robert stands up and holds Rilli's hand.
Robert and Mithril-rama slowly walk over to the group that consists of
Sarah Jane, Jon, Damian Fox, Runt Cloverwood, and Christine Flye. Robert
clears his throat and waves to everyone, "Hello there. Remember me?
Robert?"
Mithril-rama is afraid to smile around the sad people, "And me? Rilli?
We just saw you here and thought we'd say hi."
-Robert