From: Ig88sw82 <ig88sw82@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] Mark's Third Gym Battle Date: Friday, July 02, 1999 5:50 PM >< But there is something strange about this guy> > >Then they started walking again... <So,> said Sabrina with her psychic powers, <you want a Pokémon battle.> "Yes, I want a Pokémon battle," said Mark. "Is it that hard to comprehend?!?" --- <Three Pokémon each. That is, if you're up to it.> "Ready as I'll ever be! Go Zubat!" <Some people will only learn through trial and error. Let's do it, Venomoth.> The Pokéball confining Venomoth levitated into the ring as Mark threw out Zubat. "Zubat, Supersonic, now!" <Venomoth, Disable attack.> The two flying Pokémon began their various attacks. Before Zubat could go Supersonic, however, Venomoth Disabled the attack, so it failed. <Now, Psybeam.> Venomoth lowered its head, then blasted its beam at Zubat. The disabled bat was unable to dodge, and was thrown to the gym floor. "Zubat return! Go Eevee!" <Go Jynx.> Eevee and Jynx both leapt into the ring. "Okay Eevee, Quick Attack! Let's at least do some damage!" <Jynx, Lovely Kiss.> "Lovely Kiss?" said Mark in confusion. "What kind of attack is that?" He soon found out. Eevee shot at Jynx with its quick attack, bruising it, but nothing serious. Jynx then grabbed Eevee and gave it a big, mushy kiss. Eevee tore away, and fell asleep. "Wha... Eevee, get up!" <Now, Ice Punch.> Sabrina maintained her original position, legs crossed, eyes closed. While Eevee slept peacefully, Jynx pulled its fist back, then punched the resting Eevee square in the face. The impact woke Eevee up, then froze it. <It takes more than being fast to win a gym battle, boy.> "I know that! Go Oddish!" Oddish crawled out of Mark's backpack, then began to run towards Sabrina. T Rex got up and grabbed Mark's shoulder. "Don't send Oddish. My Charizard can handle Sabrina." "You want me to use your Pokémon?" "Yes I do. Oddish doesn't stand a chance against these psychic types. Compared to Draco, however, these are pushovers." <Make your decision,> said Sabrina. <Oddish or Charizard?> Mark crossed his arms and thought. After seeing T Rex's victory, Mark knew that any of his Pokémon could probably take on Sabrina. With a Charizard, victory would be guaranteed. But Oddish was his best Pokémon. Mark had taken extra care in raising it, and it did earn him his two badges. It didn't seem right, he thought, if he used someone else's Pokémon, because that didn't prove his abilities as a trainer at all. "Sorry, but Oddish is my choice. He may not have what it takes, but I'll never know if I don't at least try." <Maybe you're better than I thought,> said Sabrina. <But we'll see. Go Kadabra.> With a newborn confidence, Mark yelled out, "Oddish, go!" "Oddish!" the plant Pokémon leapt forward, also confident in its power. "Oddish, Acid attack!" Sabrina was unphased by Oddish's courage. <Kadabra, Reflect.> Oddish spit a globule of acid at Kadabra. As it flew at the psychic, Kadabra used the Reflect attack. The acid slowed, stopped, then shot back at Oddish, permeating it with acid. <Now, Confusion attack.> "Oddish, look out!" But it was hopeless. The blinded Oddish couldn't see the psychic wave, which batted the plant like a kitty toy, until it smacked into the back wall of the gym. Mark looked worried, but didn't give up. "Okay Oddish, Petal Dance!" Oddish quickly shook off the acid, then prepared for its Petal Dance. Kadabra looked at it, amused that the little Pokémon was still trying. Petals shot from Oddish's bulb, and Oddish careened at Kadabra. The impact sent the psychic Pokémon across the room, bashing into a pillar. The pillar crumbled, and the ceiling crashed down on Kadabra, knocking it senseless. Sabrina sat, deep in thought. Finally, she got up and shook Mark's hand. "That was a great battle! This Marsh Badge is rightfully yours, Mark!" Mark took the badge and smiled. "Gee, thanks!" --- As Mark and T Rex walked from the gym to the Pokécenter, the latter turned. "You did well in that gym battle, Mark." Mark grinned. "And I did it on my own! Right Oddish?" Oddish frowned at Mark. "Well, with help from you of course!" ------------ TBC (T Rex, I'll send you the WG today) -Marpa Stelos