From: Karnivax <karnivax@my-deja.com> Subject: [PW!] [LEAGUE] The Electric Slyde Date: Friday, December 03, 1999 5:06 PM --THE ELECTRIC SLYDE-- Part 1 by Karnivax "Kachupi?" "That's right, Cathode. Kyle's match is starting!" Jessica Sullivan was so starved for conversation as she sat among the audience in Indigo Stadium that she found herself talking to Kyle's Pikachu. Jessica pointed to the entrance at the far side of the Ice Field, and sure enough, Kyle, with all of his Pokémon in their Pokéballs, emerged from the entrance and took his place on top of a green, guardrailed, rectangular platform that slowly rose up from the ground until it was a ten foot-tall pillar. Kyle cracked his knuckles and took one of the Pokéballs off of his belt. "Good afternoon, sports fans, and welcome to another thrilling battle of the Pokémon League Games!" the commentator announced. "This first round battle will be taking place on the Ice Field, where many a wise trainer has used the fragile terrain to their advantage. The first competitor is on his way out now. It's the green competitor...eighteen year-old Kyle Richter of Cinnabar Island." A feeble cheer went up from the audience. The only audience members who offered any support were Jessica and the few people from Cinnabar. "Kyle's father is none other than the renowned Pokémon researcher James Richter. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kyle unleash a few fossil Pokémon here today..." Suddenly a reverberating, thunderous cheer rocked the stadium as "Gonna Fly Now" (better known as the theme from "Rocky") boomed from the speakers. Kyle's long-time rival, Vincenzo Larufa, came from the entrance opposite Kyle and took his place atop the red platform. "And the red competitor is nineteen year-old Vincenzo Larufa, of Cerulean City. As our viewers may recall, last year 'Enzo' made it all the way to the fifth round using only two Pokémon. He was defeated in that round...but this year he could very well go all the way!" Deep down Enzo was furious at Kyle for putting a stop to his wedding with Jessica, but Enzo kept his cool. He was confident that his Pokémon were going to mop the floor with Kyle's in front of millions of people, and that was revenge enough for him. But just to make his anger known, Enzo subtly flipped Kyle the bird before selecting a Pokéball. Kyle responded by jumping up and crossing his arms in front of his torso ŕ la Billy Gunn. In the audience, Jessica shook her head and sighed deeply. "There's definitely some bad blood between these two competitors," the commentator pointed out. "What do you think, J.J.?" "Dy-no-*mite*!!!" Enzo turned to look at his adoring crowd, and noticed Jessica sitting among the throngs of people. Enzo blew Jessica a kiss. Jessica caught it and threw it right back. From a side entrance came a short, bald, elderly referee who was holding two flags - one red and one green. He took his place on one of the Ice Field's sidelines and pumped one fist. "Let's get it on!" he shouted in a vaguely Texan accent. The audience cheered once again. Kyle and Vincenzo tossed out their first Pokéballs simultaneously. Kyle's Pokéball opened first, and out came Seaclamp. "Kyle has released a Cloyster!" the commentator noted. "It should certainly be in its element here on the Ice Field." And then Enzo's Pokéball opened, unleashing the bird Pokémon that was almost always by Enzo's side... "Enzo has sent out Halberd the Farfetch'd! It may look like Halberd is at a disadvantage here...but those who saw last year's tournament would know better than to count him out!" Halberd turned his electronic language translator up to full volume and took a few practice Slashes with his razor-edged onion sprig. He did not seem bothered by the cold in the least. Halberd then took a look at his opponent, who was not even showing his face. Halberd impatiently tapped on Seaclamp's shell. "Ding- dong! Halberd callin'!" the Brooklynese Farfetch'd shouted. Seaclamp slowly opened his shell and glanced down at the leek- wielding duck that stood before him. The Cloyster could not help but snicker. "Cloys-s-s-s-s..." "Eh, go shuck yerself!" Halberd snorted. He brought his leek back and struck Seaclamp's core dead-on with a Slash attack. Seaclamp let out a pained whimper and backed away. "Aurora Beam!" Kyle commanded. From the long spike that poked out just above Seaclamp's core came a light blue beam of energy. Halberd easily slid out of the way. "That th' best ya got?" Halberd taunted. Seaclamp fired another Aurora Beam, and again Halberd slid to one side. "Fury Attack!" Enzo called out. Halberd charged, and the cowardly Cloyster slammed his shell closed. Halberd's leek became a blur as he hammered away at Seaclamp's armor. Seaclamp's tremendous Defense rating blunted the assault easily. While Halberd's fruitless attack was going on, Seaclamp had another of his rare surges of courage. He opened his shell a crack and blasted Halberd with an Ice Beam at point-blank range. The Farfetch'd, who was now blue and sparkling with frost, had a look of complete shock on his face as he keeled over like a felled tree. Enzo did not withdraw Halberd, however. He could see Halberd moving ever so slightly, indicating the Pokémon was not completely frozen. "Spike Cannon!" Kyle ordered. His minimal self-confidence restored, Seaclamp opened his shell as far as he could and pointed the massive spike above his head at the nearly immobile duck. The spike launched like a rocket at Halberd and exploded in a fiery blast upon impact. His mobility partially restored by the heat from the explosion, the weatherbeaten Halberd slowly got to his feet. He was looking rather unsteady. Another spike appeared in Seaclamp's organic cannon. "And Vincenzo's Halberd is getting frosted!" the commentator exclaimed. "Halberd is notorious for coming from behind to win battles...but it looks like he's really out of his league this time!" "Slash that bottom-feeder to shreds!!!" Enzo roared. Halberd let out a furious quack and dashed toward Seaclamp at full speed, which was not particularly fast at all. Seaclamp grinned, as the first Spike Cannon shot had put enough distance between him and Halberd that he had time to strike from afar. Seaclamp simply hammered Halberd with another Spike Cannon blast and sent the Farfetch'd flying clear out of the arena. "Halberd is disqualified!" the referee announced. One of the red lights underneath Enzo's picture on the scoreboard went out. Enzo grudgingly recalled Halberd and selected his second Pokéball. Despite Halberd's loss, Enzo grinned confidently as he released his second Pokémon. An audible gasp came from the crowd as the Pokéball opened and released its contents. "It's Slyde, Vincenzo's Jolteon!" the commentator announced. "Slyde fought in the first four rounds of last year's tournament, and went undefeated through all four! I don't normally take sides, but I'd say that Enzo probably has this match all wrapped up!" "Dy-no-*mite*!!!" TBC... --K * A * R * N * I * V * A * X-- "Our wretched society is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road." --Voltaire Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.