The Fantasy Gym

You soon come upon a large building. Funny, in the light of the setting sun you can't quite figure out exactly what the building looks like. Every time you try to examine it your eyes slide away, like it's made or water or something. You shake your head, not liking the way the light . . . or something else . . . is playing tricks on you. The only thing you can see clearly is the sign on the front of the building and the double-doors beneath it. Both in a sharp red, contrasting against the dull gray stone you think the building is made of, the sign reads The Fantasy Gym and the doors swing open--on their own--invitingly. But you're a Pokémon trainer and you've come to challenge one of the Elite Four. It'll take more than parlor tricks to scare you off. Without hesitation you stride inside.

As soon as you step through a shiver runs up your spine and goosebumps rise on your arm. There's a strange feeling in the air, like excitement or mystery. You get the sensation this is a place that hasn't been disturbed for a long time, but that's ridiculous. This is a Pokémon Gym! It must be visited all the time. Nevertheless, you walk softly, not wanting to disturb whatever waits for you further inside.

The hall you're in is only lit by torches set in the walls intermittently. With the absence of any sort of front desk or other sign of life, your only choice is to follow the hall. Ahead you see the hall ends with a room, and as you emerge your eyes widen in amazement. Not because the room is anything spectacular. Not even because it's the size of an ordinary battle arena. You were expecting something beyond your wildest imagination. Instead, you find a small, quite plain room. Looking around, you see there are two paintings on each of the four walls around you. They're animals, but not any Pokémon you've seen before. After a moment you realize they're mythological ceatures. A dragon and unicorn are directly across from you. A gryphon and a phoenix are on one side. A winged horse and a wyvern on the other. Behind you, above the doorway you just came in, are a winged lion and a giant wolf. They look real enough to jump off their paintings and charge into the room, and you admire the artist. You can feel their eyes on you as you walk further into the room.

In the center of the room there's a desk. A girl is sitting there, nose buried in a book. A Raichu curled up next to the desk raises it head to look at you, then lets it fall back, uninterested. There's a Charizard stretched out behind the desk, to all appearances asleep. It has a strange silver mark on its snout. In front of the desk a Vaporeon is standing before a stick. No, it's some sort of staff, you realize. Made of smooth golden wood, the Vaporeon is obviously guarding it, albeit lazily. It appears to be a very relaxed, enjoyable setting . . . which only confuses you more. Wasn't this suppose to be a battle arena? You approach the desk hesitantly. "Hello?" you ask the girl reading. "I'm here to challenge Gobrianna, the Fantasy Gym leader."

"I'm sure you are," the girl replies. She looks up--and you gasp. It's Gobrianna herself! Everyone knows her features, long straight hair reaching to her waist that looks like copper, but when it catches the light reveals hidden highlights of red and gold, and intense blue eyes like turquoise seas. And the one thing that anyone would recognize, the thing this member of the Elite Four is never seen without, is hanging around her neck. It's a small silver medallion in the shape of a starburst on a light silver chain. That proves she really is Gobrianna. You can't believe it! You've finally met the one and only herself!

She sets down the book--a well-worn paperbacked fantasy novel, you notice--and stands.

"Okay, here's the deal," she says, blue eyes studying you intently, as if memorizing your face. "I don't have the time to sit here and ask Pokémon trainers questions. My challenge is to find a certain changed Pokémon. On my webpage I have two pages: The Pokérap and Evolutions. The images used on these pages are the all same, except for one Pokémon. This Pokémon's two pictures look almost exactly alike, but I have made a small change to one. You have to search around until you find the Pokémon I changed. Then you e-mail me at ussfantasy@hotmail.com or sign my guestbook (just as long as you make it a private message) to tell me. You have to tell me what Pokémon I changed, and what I did to change it. Do that, and I'll give you passage to the highest member of the Elite Four. And I'll give you one of these." She holds out the very thing you came for. It's a Fantasy Badge!

Gobrianna, the second of the Elite Four, sits back down and picks up her book again. Before you can say anything else she's pointedly ignoring you. You sigh. Meeting her never went like this in your mind! Then you shrug and turn away, determined to get that badge.

"Remember, after you're done with me you still have the first of the Four to look forward to!" she calls after you helpfully without looking up. Great, you think.

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Please note: The images representing my paintings are not my own. If they are yours and you object to me having them on my page, please contact me. Thank you.