From: TheRunt <therunt411@aol.com> Subject: [PW!][Repost] The Legend of the Forgotten Forest Date: Thursday, December 09, 1999 10:57 PM (For your convenience, a summary of this episode appears at the bottom) Since we last saw him, Runt has been working hard at helping the people of Celadon clean up their city. Because of their efforts, the city is now free of rubble and ready to be rebuilt. As we rejoin our story, Runt is about to travel west from Celadon to get to Pallet Town. "Uh, Runt? Saffron City is that way," says Joe pointing to the East. "I know that Uncle Joe. But I'm not going to Saffron, I'm heading to Pallet. I figure I can make up some lost time if I just go through that forest over there," replies Runt. "That's the Forgotten Forest, Runt -- Nobody EVER goes through there. Haven't you heard the legends?" "What legends?" asks Runt. "It's said that the Pokémon that live in the Forgotten Forest are more dangerous than anywhere else - they are much stronger and much more feral than any other wild Pokémon you'll ever see. Some even say that they love the taste of human flesh and that that is why so many people who've entered the forest have never returned. Please, take the road to get to pallet," pleads his uncle. "I'm sure that's just a myth -- I'll be fine. I'll see you later," he replies. Upon reaching the edge of the dark forest, he feels a tug on his pant leg. He looks down to see Rolly there, with Tiny and Pixie behind him. "Shwew! Shwew san shwew!" whimpers Rolly, shaking his head. Runt takes a step towards the forest, but his Pokémon don't move. "What are you guys? A bunch of cowards?" he asks. "San-shwew," "Vulpix," "Dratee-nee," they reply, nodding their heads. "I'm goin' in there guys - there's nothing to be afraid of. Now, are you gonna come willingly or do I have to put you back in your balls?" They don't move. "Rolly, Return! Pixie, Return! Tiny, Return. Cowardly good-for-nothin's..." he grumbles,"... Afraid of a few stupid stories." As he gets deeper into the forest, it gets harder and harder for him to see. Soon, he has to stop so he can get his flashlight out of his backpack. While searching for it, he here's a rustle in the bushes a few feet from him. "Those fraidy cats would've prob'ly fainted dead away if they heard that -- Ah, here we go," he says turning the flashlight on. "Now," he says flipping the 'pokéball' lid of his watch to reveal the compass and multi-purpose digital readout, "let's figure out where I'm headed..." [Nearest City/Town: Celadon City.... Approx. Direction: East SE] "Okay, and I'm facing... South Southwest. Great! So if I just keep facing this way I'll have no problem." After a few minutes of walking, he hears a twig snap somewhere behind him. He thinks nothing of it and continues on. A few steps further he hears another, but closer this time - he picks up his pace a little. Then, he hears a tree fall a few feet from him. He breaks out into a full run, only to trip over a tree root. Runt fumbles at his fanny pack, but his panic stricken mind can't get it open. In a heartbeat, his pursuer reveals itself. "PINSIR! PINSIR! PINSIR!" it chants, opening and closing it's pinchers as it advances upon it's prey. As it gets closer to him, Runt can make out the drool dripping from it's gaping maw. Then, a horrifying realization comes to him: the vicious beast is going to pop his head off like a champagne cork with its tremendous pinchers. The Pinsir bends down while Runt closes his eyes and awaits the inevitable... Seconds pass, each more excruciating than the last. Eventually, Runt opens his eyes to see the Pinsir looking around suspiciously. All of a sudden, something leaps out of the surrounding forest and knocks the Pinsir back. "SCYTHER!!" screams the attacker as it slashes at the Pinsir with its blade-like arms. Deciding that it would be best to take advantage of this temporary distraction, Runt sprints away from the battle as fast as he can. He runs until he can't run anymore, and then runs further. Exhausted, he slumps against a tree to rest. "Great," he pants, "Now where am I?" He reopens his watch to gain his bearings only to find that, regardless of where he faces, the needle refuses to move! Confused, he looks to the display for guidance: [Nearest City/Town: -ERROR- Approx. Direction: -ERROR-] "What the!?" he cries. The tree trembles. Startled, Runt quickly crawls away from it. He turns around to see that it's conscious - and slowly moving towards him! "Exeggutor?" its many faces ask itself. Adrenaline once more surges through Runt's body as he sprints off again. After a few more minutes of running, he enters a clearing. And in the clearing sits a rustic cabin, bathed in dim light pouring through a small hole in the canopy. Cautiously, he walks to the front door. On it hangs a plaque which reads: ---------------------------------- Here doth lay a place of rest, free of any virulent pest; You need not fear the creature of Sloth, who would gladly squash you like a moth; Even though he'd like to slice you in half, Inside you're safe from beast of Envy and Wrath; Not even the monster of Greed and Pride, may split you in two while you are inside; If you look for a dwelling of grace, Look no further - this is the place. ---------------------------------- In spite of these words, Runt was very careful in opening the door. But, inside, all he found was a neatly made bed and an empty table. He makes sure the door is closed securely and then falls fast asleep on the comfy bed. When he wakes up, he decides to rouse his companions. "Tiny! Rolly! Pixie! Eve! I choose you!" he calls. Puzzled by their new surrounding, the four Pokémon begin to investigate the room. "Don't worry guys, the sign on the door says we're safe here. But you were right - goin' through the forest was a bad idea. Of course, we might be here for a while - I can't figure out where we are or how to get back." It's then that something on the backside of the door catches Runt's eye, another plaque. "That wasn't there last night, was it?" he asks himself. "Of course it was, I must've just been so tired that I missed it." Intrigued, he walks over to read its inscription: ---------------------------------- These displaced woods can be left, by any of those who feel bereft; But be forewarned and be foretold, for you to escape you must be bold; Filling your path are beings of might, all of whom are flooded with spite; To find your guide you must be meek, because he is among the weak; And to survive the fiends of strife, one of you must risk your life. ---------------------------------- After feeding his Pokémon, Runt pulls out his last chunk of jerky and ponders this riddle. As he is busy thinking, his friends talk and play amongst themselves until they hear a 'thunk' coming from the door. Startled from his concentration, Runt jumps to his feet. 'Thunk!' All eyes stare at the door. Slowly, he makes his way to the door. 'Thunk!' Cautiously, he opens the door and looks out - not a thing in sight. Then, he looks down at his feet and finds a dazed Caterpie. Gently, he stoops and picks it up. He lays it on the bed and, lacking water, puts a dish of his mother's lemonade next to it. After an hour, the tiny Pokémon awakens and waddles over to the dish. It then proceeds to drain the entire thing. "Thirsty li'l thing, aren't you?" comments Runt. "Say," he says thinking back to the poem on the plaque, "you wouldn't happen to be our guide would you?" It nods its head and begins searching the dish for any remaining droplets of lemonade. "Tell you what You lead us out of this forest and you can have all the strawberry lemonade you can drink. Deal?" asks Runt. The Caterpie nods its head enthusiastically and climbs up his arm. "It could get dangerous guys, who wants back in their balls before we leave?" Pixie and Eve both step forward. "Okay. Pixie, Eve, Return!" Runt takes one last look around before he leaves to make sure he didn't forget anything. Seeing everything in order, he exits the sanctuary and closes the door behind him. For the first ten minutes into their trek, everything goes well. But then, without any warning, they're attacked. "SCYTHER!" screams their assailant. It swings its blade-like arms at Runt, but he dives out of the way. Enraged, it turns around to attack again. Just as it's about to strike, Tiny wraps around the monster's legs - bringing it crashing to the ground. "SCY-THER!!" it yells as it begins to slash at the new target of its anger. "Tiny, Return!" Runt commands, but his Dratini refuses to obey. The Scyther looks maliciously at Tiny as it continues its onslaught of slices. Tiny continues to steadfastly hold on to his adversary. He then begins to glow with a bluish aura. His body begins to grow longer and more slender, a horn forms on his forehead. "Tiny!" cheers Runt,"You're evolving!" With his new, more sinewy, body Tiny begins to wrap himself more tightly around his opponent's body. Then, summoning his strength, he shocks the Scyther with a thunder wave, paralyzing it. Tiny releases his grip and floats over to Runt. Filled with renewed courage, the group continues on its way. "Next stop," cries Runt, "Pewter City!" <To Be Continued...> Summary: Eager to get to Pallet Town, Runt leaves Celadon City to the West and, in spite of his Uncle's and Pokémon's advice, enters the Forgotten Forest. After encountering some feral Pokémon, Runt finds sanctuary in a mysterious cabin. Runt then meets a pathetic looking Caterpie that he decides to use as a guide. In the end, the Scyther from earlier attacks again and a determined Tiny risks his life to save his friends. As a reward, Tiny evolves into a Dragonair and the group exits the forest. _______________________________________________________________ "Slow and steady wins the race."