From: Bandraptor <bandraptor@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] Pokémon Campfire Date: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 7:55 AM Nori had been walking for quite some time. Well, more like ten minutes. Maybe five. It seemed like a lot longer, though. The crisp night air bit at her skin, and the dew covered grass made squelching noises under her boots. The sky was closing in above her, gradually being blotted out by leafy treetops. This all seemed very familiar. "Viridian Forest..." Nori thought. She was dangerously close to home. Apparently, her parents were handing out Missing posters, now...she'd have to be careful, or else somebody might recognize her, based on them. She'd be best off, if she hurried through the woods. "Wart..." Rubix grumbled, suddenly popping up beside her, "How far to the next city?" "I don't know." Nori replied, surprised by his civility. "Not far, I hope." "Good." the Wartortle snorted. "'Cause as soon as we're two steps in, I'm turning you over to the cops." "On second thought," Nori sighed, "let's just set up camp here." Nori tossed her bag on the ground, and pulled a Pokéball from her belt, "Ready to fight? Come into sight! Nori calls Magmar!" "MAAAAG!" it squealed, either cheery, or in horrible pain. Rubix rolled his eyes. "Where'd you swipe that from?" "The motto, or the Magmar?" "Nevermind..." "Er, anyway, Magmar! Let's get a fire going!" "Mag?" "Right over there. See where that Wartortle's standing?" "No! Not here!!!" "MAAAAAG!!!!" The fire-duck screamed, shooting a stream of fire from its beak. "DAMMMNNN YOOOOUUUU!!!!!!" "Ack, forget it." Nori shrugged, "That thing burns too quickly. Let's go find some firewood, shall we?" "Mag!" * * * Nori warmed her hands by the campfire. It was actually a nice night...all the stars were out. Rubix was sitting by himself, sulking, and Magmar was sitting vacantly beside her, acting as a bug zapper of sorts. She saw no reason, that the rest of her Pokémon shouldn't be able to enjoy the night, as well. "Giseisha! Akuni! Nemesis! Fushigidane! Everybody, come out now!" "Shaaabokku!" Giseisha purred, immediately tackling her to the ground. "Licki licki!" Akuni added, diving on top of them, and giving Nori a slobbery lick across the face. "Heh heh...I missed you too." Nori grinned, her skin tingling. "Shaabo shabokku?" Giseisha asked, grabbing Akuni roughly with its tail, and tossing it out of the way. "Shabokku?" "Couldn't be helped." Nori responded. "You know, I wouldn't keep you in your Pokéball for that long, unless I absolutely had to." "Shabo..." the Arbok said doubtfully, glancing at her two newest Pokémon. "Aw, don't be jealous, Giseisha. You're always my first pick in battles." "Licki!" Akuni returned, knocking the cobra aside. "Lickitung..?" "I love you too, Akuni. Besides, you'll ALL have a chance to fight, once we reach the gym in Celadon." "We're going to Celadon?" Rubix stiffened. "Why do ya want to go there?" "Because that's where Celadon Gym is, dumbass." "It's a dump." "Good," Nori tossed her head. "Then it'll be easier to beat." "Whaddaya wanna go gym hopping for, anyway?!?" the Wartortle cried, "You're a Rocket! Go do some Rocket stuff!" "Just because I'm a Rocket, doesn't mean I can't finish my badge-collecting journey. I don't see how this concerns *you*, anyway. It's not like you're gonna fight." "Damn straight." Giseisha frowned. It seemed unusual, that this Pokémon could speak human-talk, but even more disturbing, were the words coming from its mouth. If it were any other monster, the Arbok would have throttled it, on the spot... but this Wartortle belonged to Master, and Master knew best, for keeping it. Akuni, on the other hand, had no such compunctions. It walked up to the Wartortle, tapped him on the shoulder, and gave him a good, hard punch to the face. "Shaa!" Giseisha cried, slapping the Lickitung upside the head. "Licki TUNG." <He had it coming.> "Bokku." <Know your place.> "Tuuuung..." <I do know my place. My place with Master. Where your place? Not see you battle anymore. Maybe you be *re*placed.> "SHAAAA!!!!" The cobra screamed, leaping at the smaller Pokémon. "Hey," Nori sweatdropped, "Cut it out, you two." "Licki, licki," Akuni snickered. Apparently, the fun of angering Giseisha, was well worth the pain it was currently suffering. "Hmmm..." Nori mused. "Celadon Gym uses Grass-type Pokémon. Giseisha, you should be able to handle them. "Bokku?" "Sure you will. Just like in that song; 'Good luck with Muk and its POISON gas, make one wrong move, and it'll kick your GRASS'. You have the type advantage. Now everybody get some sleep, we have a lot of walking to do tomorrow." Giseisha released Akuni, and coiled itself up next to Nori, allowing her to use its hood as a pillow. Magmar let out a soft "mag", and went back to embering a family of moths. TBC... -Beth "Ii kanji!" http://members.aol.com/bandraptor