From: Roberto Perez-Vila <RobfromVoid@prodigy.net> Subject: [PW!] The Big P Pokemon Race! Date: Tuesday, August 31, 1999 10:35 PM Time Lady wrote: > "Do they ever stop?" asks Robert as he watches the Growlithe try to > back away from > the playful young Nidoran. > > "Almost never," says Damian as he walks in, followed by Drake. The > Dragonite nods > emphatically as he hopes Cuddles and Spunky don't notice him. > > "How's the foot?" asks Rilli. > > "Sore. It'll take a few days," replies Sarah Jane. "I'd like to be > able to ride in > the race myself, but I don't think I'd be able to ride Ferdinand the > entire race." Robert, while raising a single eyebrow, says, "The offer still stands." Many of those present don't understand what Robert is talking about, but by now they've gotten used to this situation. Robert nods sagely and reclines in his chair. > "Got about an hour till race time," interjects Lara. "So ya'll eat > up." While everyone present who hasn't eaten gobbles up their breakfasts, Robert paces around the room, "The race is making me edgy. I actually woke up before Rilli today! The excitement is getting to me!" Lara chuckles and places a hand on Robert's shoulder, "Like I said b'fore, it's not all about winning th' race, just try yer best. But remember, anybody who wins the Big P Pokemon Race becomes an honorary members of th' Laramie clan! It's probably why Dario wants ta win every year, ta tag our name onto the Dodrio he raises! Never does, though, an' with so many great trainers in th' race, I'm sure one'a ya'll are gonna win insteada that jerk!" Stallone, Sarah Jane's Machop, proudly flexes his muscles, "Machop, Chop, CHOP!" Most of those present smile at Stallone's eagerness to win. Robert looks outside the window, "I'm going to go take a walk, let my Slowbro stretch before the race, then I'll meet you guys at the starting line! See you then!" Mithril-rama drops her fork and speaks while still chewing on some breakfast, "Mway op fuh mwe!" Rilli sweatdrops at her rudeness, remembering her mom's lessons, and finishes swallowing her food, "Wait up for me! I think Deimos should stretch out too!" Though not finished with her meal, Rilli excuses herself, and heads out the door with Robert. Soon, Robert and Rilli find themselves walking alone down a dirt path. Once they are certain that none of Dario's goons are lurking, Robert and Rilli throw out one Pokeball each. One red and white sphere pops open, releasing a sleepy Slowbro, and the other Pokeball snaps open to reveal a lanky Doduo called Deimos, Rilli's very own Flying Pokemon. Deimos literally starts running circles around Robert's Slowbro, who doesn't respond in any way. Robert looks down at his Slowbro, and five seconds later, the Slowbro looks back up at his trainer. They stare at each other in silence, the Shellder leeching off Slowbro's tail looking more annoyed than usual due to the inactivity. Slowbro speaks before Robert, "Slowbro, slow? Slowwww?" Robert doesn't understand what the Pokemon is saying, but nods anyhow, "That's right, I'm going to be riding you in today's race. We're going up against Pokemon much faster than this one." Robert tries to point at Deimos, but fails since the Bird Pokemon doesn't stop running! It seems that Deimos doesn't require a pep talk from Mithril-rama. The twin heads both seem very pleased at the opportunity to stretch out their long legs and necks. Rilli whispers a simple command, "Deimos, please stop running around for a minute, I need to figure out how to get on top of you for the Race!" "Duo? Duo Duo DUO?!" One head squawks, not able to believe that his trainer is going to mount him! The other head simply accepts the request, but seems somewhat pained, and sighs out, "DoDo D'oh!" Though their opinions are different, they both gladly follow their trainer's order, and bend down for Mithril-rama. Rilli sits down on Deimos' back, and the twin bird Pokemon struggles to stay up. The Doduo needs to get used to the added weight. Robert notices that Mithril-rama is doing and faces his Slowbro once again. He tries to be as serious as possible though the Pokemon looks so very dopey. "Slowbro, I know you've had both me and Rilli on your back in the past, but you were Surfing on the water... It might be harder to support me on land, so let's practice now." Robert walks behind his Slowbro, places his arms on Slowbro's shoulders, and reclines on the blue Shellder latched onto the Pokemon's tail, and rests his feet up against the Slowbro's back, "Does this hurt, Slowbro?" Slowbro's expression shows what could be considered joy or ignorance of pain... for about ten seconds. After that period of time, his dopey smile turns upside down in a frustrated grimace, "Brrrro Brrrro..." Mithril-rama isn't having much luck with Deimos, since whenever the Pokemon starts running, she slides off the space on his back and falls onto her butt, "Ouch! I'm starting to consider making Electabuzz Deimos' jockey!" "I don't think that would be too wise..." Robert chuckles at the mental image, "The moment Electabuzz would get angry, Deimos would be on the ground. Electabuzz's Thunder Punches can be pretty shocking. Believe me." Mithril-rama whines, "But I keep sliding off of Deimos! He's too small!" "Maybe it's just that your butt's a little too big?" Robert smirks at Rilli. Mithril-rama blinks at her boyfriend, "Do you want me to lose weight, Robert?" "I was just ridding, Rilli! I love your butt!" Robert steps off of his Slowbro, and hugs his girlfriend, "You know me! We just haven't shared much time together lately since there's always so many people around. I miss those moments we spent alone with each other. Like now. After the Race and whatever celebration follows, I say we catch the next Pidgeot to Viridian City so that we can visit that Rosetta University Sarah Jane was talking about." Robert kisses Rilli on the cheek. Rilli returns the kiss with a blush, feeling foolish that she thought Robert was being serious, "Let's get ready for the race, then let's worry about what we're going to do afterward. I have to figure out how to ride Deimos!" The short girl goes back to mounting her Doduo, practicing different methods of holding on. "SLOWWW!" Slowbro cries out in pain, feeling Robert pressing up against him, although Robert isn't standing on him. Robert shrugs and walks over to his Psychic Pokemon again, "Okay, Slowbro, you're a Psychic Pokemon. You should be able to use your mind to block out pain. Just pretend you're in the water, and not on land." Robert kneels on his Pokemon's back and hugs him from behind, careful not to choke his Slowbro, hoping this approach won't hurt him. "Yay!!!" Rilli blurts out. She has gotten a strong grip on Deimos with her legs, and the rapid Pokemon kicks up dust with his claws while running extremely fast around Robert and his Slowbro. Rilli giggles and shouts, "This is great!" "Oh yeah?" Robert mocks, hugging his Slowbro tight, "Slowbro, use Swift and show her how fast you can go!" A brief speed increase makes Slowbro bound forward, but only enough to lift his tail into the air, Shellder and all. He swings his tail once and small white stars eject from the Shellder's mouth, directed at no one in particular, "Run! Run! Run!" Slowbro reacts to Robert's command immediately since he is still using Swift, and dashes a few meters before stopping, very tired. Robert rubs his chin with an eyebrow raised, "I just have to tap into his potential..." * Scene Switch : Starting Line at the Race * Fireworks burst in the bright blue sky, not a single cloud visible. A voice on a loudspeaker announces: "Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to this year's Pokemon challenge, sponsored by the Laramie Clan! Our course takes our challengers over rugged terrain, to test their speed and ability. Whoever clears all the obstacles and crosses the finish line first is our winner. All Pokemon trainers who wish to compete must apply at the Information Center." Runt looks out towards the horizon. Almost everyone is there, but Robert, Rilli, and Dario still haven't shown up. Runt pets the baby Kangaskhan hanging from his fake pouch, "Are you getting ready to ride Tiny, Roo?" The baby Kangaskhan squeals, "Skhan! Skhan!" and nods contentedly, happy to finally be able to do something. Just then, Rilli dashes up to the group riding Deimos like a pro. The Doduo doesn't feel any pain and Rilli doesn't seem uncomfortable at all. One of the Doduo's heads exclaims, "Do! Do! Do!" The other nods and shrieks, "DUO!!!" Christy squints towards the distance, but sees no one else, "Like, I don't see Robert anywhere. Is he coming?" After a long pause, a huge blue Shellder comes into view. The Shellder is dragging a young trainer wearing a black shirt and blue jeans as well as a large pink mass, the rest of the enigmatic Pokemon known as Slowbro. Robert comes into view, apparently skiing on the Shellder on Slowbro's tail, "Hey everyone!" Slowbro gradually turns around, looking annoyed at the fact he was being dragged by his lesser half. He lets out a dopey growl, "BRRRRR!!!" Robert hops off of his Slowbro and rubs his gentle underbelly, "I'm sorry, Slowbro, but I let Shellder lead so that you wouldn't get tired. You can be in the lead during the race!" After some consideration, Slowbro smiles, "Ahhh, Slow!" Damian Fox and Drake, the Dragonite, walk up to the group. Damian lets the group know, "Hey guys, go over to the Information Booth and fill in your applications. Basically, they want to know your name, age, Pokemon used for racing, and if it applies, Pokemon jockey. I've already filled mine out. I just hope Drake doesn't change his mind." Drake crosses his arms, insulted that his trainer would even consider him to break his unspoken promise. The group heads over to sign up for the Big P Pokemon Race. Mithril-rama hands in her application without any problems, since Doduo is a common choice for smaller jockeys. Robert quickly fills in his application and hands it in to the woman working behind the booth. The woman has to break out into laughter. Robert mumbles something, "Do you think that my age is funny or something?" The woman shakes her head, "Actually, we've never had anyone use a Slowbro in the Big P Pokemon Ranch. But hey, there's a first time for everything. Maybe it'll even win." The woman stifles a laugh and it comes out as a snort. Robert smiles politely, "Yeah. Maybe he will..." Robert's Slowbro's dopey grin grows wider, "Ahhh, Slowbro! Slow!" -Robert