From: Spawn <nmvds@aol.computers> Subject: [PW!] The Return of Blind Tom Date: Thursday, July 01, 1999 11:09 PM "Arc, Arc!" Lassie barked. "What is it, boy?" Tom asked. "Arc!" "I have a visitor from Team Rocket who wants to talk to me about something? I guess you could let him in." The door creaked open. "So Tom," Gil Bates smiled as he neared his friend's hospital bed, "I hear you're feeling better." "I couldn't feel much worse," Tom smiled. "So what did you think of the system?" Gil asked. "It was great," Tom began, "in theory." Tom had been born blind. His whole life had been spent in front of computer simulations of Pokemon. He became at one with a system of infinite order. He couldn't go out into the world and experience any real adventures. That was until, of course, he was attached to a machine that allowed him to live his dreams out through a robot. A robot that could do anything. Except for handle it when a ditto transformed into him and overloaded the computer system. "We've made a few improvements," Gil explained, "that make the simulation feel more real than ever. And we've made it so the system doesn't overload so easily. Would you be interested in another mission?" "I would sign up in a heart beat," Tom replied. To Tom, the Robot was more than just a weapon. It was his liberation. The fact that he would have to do a few crimes for Team Rocket in return was a small price to pray to live like everyone else. "Good," said Gil, "we have a job for you, and we might as well tell you now so you can get more acquainted with the robot this time. And after that, we need you to go to Ivory Island." "I never heard of it," Tom replied. "And the folks at ATR want to prevent you from hearing about it in the future," Gil continued. "But it's too late for that. Pandora's box has been opened, and they can't stop the oncoming attack." "Attack?" "Attack." Gil smiled. "I'm going to give you some of my best Pokemon, Tom. Don't fail me." TBC -Spawn "Wise Pokemon trainers never get involved in a cat fight" -Brock To reply, remove "puters" from the e-mail address.