From: Sirius <sirius259@aol.comeleon> Subject: [PW!][NC] Pokemon League Showdown: Giovanni vs. Natasha Date: Saturday, September 11, 1999 8:05 PM "Welcome, folks, to the fourth matchup in the first round of the Pokemon League Tournament," began the announcer, "with 4th seeded Giovanni vs. 60th seeded Natasha. We have already had one upset so far, with Trent Retwin's Sandslash literally smashing Ash's Pikachu. "Natasha has chosen Cubone as her Pokemon, while Giovanni is going to use Persian," he continued. "The match begins... NOW!" Giovanni scratched the underside of Persian's head. At the sound of the bell, Giovanni stood up. Persian quickly lowered its back and snarled at Natasha. Natasha, trying to look composed and calm, gently tossed a Pokeball from her hand onto the center of the arena, releasing Cubone. "Cubone! Bone! Bone!" "Peeeersian..." hissed Persian. It distanced itself from Cubone and lowered its back and head menacingly. Cubone raised his bone in the air, preparing for the attack. Persian sprang forward at lightning speed, pinning Cubone to the ground before he could react. "Aaack!" "Scratch, Persian!" commanded Giovanni. Persian raised its paw and slashed. Cubone rolled over, avoiding the hit, and countered with a Bone Club. "PEROW!" yelped Persian. It angrily dove at Cubone, who dodged again. Cubone swung the bone as hard as he could at Persian, flat on the ground. "This looks like another upset!" exclaimed the announcer, excitedly. "A few more Bone Clubs and Persian is done for!" "Per!" Persian slammed its paw at the side of Cubone's skull helmet, causing it to spin around and around and around. Dizzy, Cubone sunk to the ground. "Cu... bone...?" Persian slowly made its way to the other side of the arena. It turned around and began a fast, powerful rush towards Cubone. "Watch out!" shouted Natasha. Cubone turned around in time for Persian to slam its paws into his shoulders. Cubone was hit hard, but managed to not get pinned down. He rolled back and hurled his bone at Persian. It rammed into its head, making it even more angry. "PEEEERSIAN!" it screeched. Cubone gulped and started to run, but the swift Persian caught up easily and managed to slash Cubone's back hard. Cubone lurched back but continued running. Persian was right on his tail, continually slashing. Cubone was running at fast as he could, but couldn't keep it up for much longer, and eventually had to slow down. Persian took advantage by hitting Cubone hard with its paw, delivering both a bruising hit and painful cut. The force of it caused Cubone to slam into the wall. He fell down, nearly fainted. "Cu... bone! CUBONE CUBONE CUBONE!" it bawled. Persian was in mid-pounce while he sniveled, and was thrown off guard. Cubone moved forward a little and Persian hit the wall head-first. Cubone finished it off with a bop on the head. "Cubone, you did it!" cheered Natasha. Giovanni frowned and quietly left the stadium. "Wow," said the announcer. "A stunning victory for Natasha, and an early, disappointing elimination for #4 seed Giovanni. Natasha will go on to face Lance in the 2nd round. Stay tuned tomorrow, it should be an exciting match. Fifth seeded Kyle Richter faces 59th seeded Tenchi Inverse. See you next time!" TBC... Sirius Quote of the day: "I dunno. I've heard things about beef."