DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon.
A SMEARGLE'S TALE
CHAPTER 10: CONFRONTATIONS
Hollow had selected a wide patch of grass that still lay beneath the cover of the willow trees long, draping branches. A couple of Natu skipped away as the Noctowl waved its wings to usher them to another spot. Easel stayed right by my side the whole time, practically walking as my shadow, whilst Nate landed in the region between Hollow and myself. Willow stayed further back, staying quite still. She appeared to be watching over the Natu chicks more than to what was about to happen here. Hollow beckoned for me to approach him, which I did. I made sure Easel remained where she was for the moment.
"Now then…" Hollow said with a small sneer. "What we first need to establish is an effective move set for you to face Warhol with. If I recall, you currently know Vine Whip, Icy Wind, Focus Punch… and Splash," he finished with a slight chuckle, earning a growl from me. "It is absolutely vital for you to Sketch a different move to replace Splash. It will do nothing for you in battle other than make you look a fool."
"I hope you're going somewhere with this," I scowled a little bit more.
"I assure you, I am," Hollow hooted in response, still giving me that same rejecting stare from before. "Your best bet is to attain a move that will allow you enough time for it to strike without it being struck first."
"How about a move that causes confusion?" I suggested. Hollow rejected the idea by shaking his head.
"Unfortunately, that will not work," he answered. "Warhol has the Own Tempo ability, which I'm sure you know prevents one from becoming Confused."
"So then… why did I get confused when I accidentally learned Splash?" I asked. "Shouldn't I have been unaffected as well?"
"You have a different ability, called Technician," Hollow explained further. "It will boost the power of generally weaker moves, but not strong ones."
"So then… what else can I do?" I scowled, annoyed by this revelation.
"I suggest that once you forget how to use Splash, you copy my Hypnosis technique. This should allow you to fully utilise the power of your Focus Punch several times," he explained. "This tactic seems like it would work better than any other."
"There is one small thing…" I cut him off quickly. "Yesterday, I tried to use Rest… I Sketched it from a Snorlax about a month ago, but I tried to use it yesterday and it didn't work…"
"Perhaps you don't realise that Pokemon can only remember up to four moves at once," the Noctowl answered. "Perhaps in your confusion you Sketched Splash on top of Rest, thus completely erasing the memory of how to execute the move from your mind."
"Damn…" I scowled to myself in frustration.
"Funny you said that," Hollow stated. "I was fairly sure you said you knew a healing move, but when you told me your move set I knew something was a little strange."
"Yes, alright," I growled once again, growing more annoyed with the situation. "Rest would have been useful to keep…"
"I know how to use Rest…" Easel murmured from behind. I turned around to face her. She looked rather coy as I did so. For some reason, I just couldn't take my eyes off her just because she said that.
"Really?" I gasped. "What other moves do you know?"
"Well… I know Softboiled, Sing and Refresh right now as well," Easel answered. "I learnt them to help heal my wounds if Warhol or anything else harmed me. I figured it would be quite useful, since I don't like fighting anyway. I'm a bit of a pacifist."
"Some things never change, do they?" I chuckled a little.
"Ahem," the Noctowl coughed, which made me revert my attention back to him. "I don't think that Rest will be a suitable move to use against Warhol. I mean his Fighting Type moves will inflict heavy damage on a Normal Type such as yourself, which is possibly one of the reasons why no other Smeargle has defeated him. If you are using Rest, he will still inflict huge damage on you while you slumber, despite the fact your health will be slowly regaining. In fact, it would go down quicker than it would be restored. I highly suggest you stick with learning Hypnosis to ensure your victory.
"You know, we could have Psi collect a Chesto Berry for Picasso to hold in battle," Nate cawed. "It will allow Picasso to regain health and then wake up straight away!"
"That's a great idea," Easel jumped out and down, clapping excitedly.
"Hmph," Hollow grunted. "Although it IS a good idea, I still say that Hypnosis is the best way to go. I mean once you've eaten that Chesto Berry, it's done. If you need to Rest again, you'd be taken out in the same way as I just mentioned. Whereas if Warhol wakes up, you can just use Hypnosis again to put him back to sleep." I took a moment to contemplate my options. "It's the only way," Hollow pressured.
"Picasso needs to make his own decision, Hollow," Willow stated from behind us. "He needs to decide which move would suit him the most. He may even wish to use a completely different tactic."
"Why not just Sketch one of Warhol's moves in battle?" Nate proposed. "I mean, if you use his own moves against him, it will surely leave him well and truly stunned."
"Another good suggestion," Willow complimented monotonously. "However, before you make any sort of decision there is something that you should bear in mind."
"What's that?" Easel asked the Elder Xatu.
"Picasso may still not yet remember how to use Sketch," Willow informed. "Picasso, do you have any recollection of the move?"
"It's pressing at the back of my mind," I began. "But I just don't quite know how to use it."
"Well, I have an idea," she softly spoke. "Try and completely blank from your mind how to use Splash and focus on remembering how you used Sketch before. This will not happen in mere minutes, it may take a day or two."
"Perhaps it will come to you in a battle," Easel assumed aloud with a confident voice. "I remembered how to use Sketch again whilst defending myself from Warhol and learnt Refresh from an Azurill."
"That's a good point you have there," Nate pipped up once more. "You should do some training for a couple of days until Sketch comes to you. I mean, Warhol said that you'd do battle in seven days…"
"Six now," I corrected him.
"So then you have six days to learn Sketch again. And to be honest, it shouldn't take you that long," he ended with a smile.
"Wise words, young Xatu," his Elder smiled impressed. "We need not hasten Picasso's development. Six days should be more than enough time to prepare not only your moveset, but your tactics as well." With that, several Natu hopped over to where Willow was stood, chirping loudly. It was as if they had been startled by something. "We have company," Willow whispered telepathically. "Brace yourselves." With that, we saw a figure appear through the leaf curtain on the opposite side of the clearing. It was the familiar, muscular figure of the tyrannical Warhol. He was grunting angrily, pacing towards us with large strides. Willow suddenly vanished, along with several of the Natu in tow. They had teleported to the safety of the thicker branches of the tree. Warhol stopped just inches away from Easel, who moved towards me and sought refuge behind my back. Nate and Hollow both seemed uneasy, but remained by my side.
"I thought as much," Warhol snarled with rage. "The Green Furred Freak, reduced to kidnapping members of MY Clan." I hid my frustration well, looking unintimidated by the much larger Smeargle. I hated it when others tried to mock me because of my alternately coloured fur. But I knew how unique I was and that was all the inspiration I needed to stop myself going wild at Warhol. That and the fact that it was not the right time to fight… at least not for another six days or so. "Easel, you are to return to the Clan instantly."
"I…I…I'm n-not coming back," Easel stammered. Warhol's eyes widened at this.
"What did you say?" he growled, taking an aggressive pace closer.
"You heard what she said," I said in a casual voice, hiding my anger yet again. "The way you have treated her and the rest of the Clan is deplorable."
"Who are you to tell me how I should and should not lead my Clan?" Warhol sneered. "They live by my rules. What I say goes. Simple as that. So either you get out of my face, or I disfigure yours." I looked at him, feigning an unimpressed look when in fact I was actually a little worried. Not for my sake, but for Easel's.
"Tell you what," I grinned. "How about we settle this right now?" Nate, Hollow and Easel all let out shocked gasps at my challenge. "You win, I'll leave right away and you keep Easel in the Clan. If I win, I become Leader of the Clan." Warhol paused, equally as stunned as the others by this proposal. He then stopped, before letting out a sly chuckle out loud.
"You've got a lot of guts for such a pathetic weakling," Warhol chuckled. "But do you really think you stand a chance against me? I'd beat you quicker than a Rapidash can run a hundred yards."
"You're not answering me," I replied, still upholding my casual stance. "We settle this now. Yes or no?" Warhol snarled, prolonging his answer once more.
"I have no reason to fight you now," Warhol grinned. "If your little girlfriend there wants to stay with you, then fine. It's her loss."
"I doubt that," Easel whimpered courageously from behind me, stepping out to confront him in a more threatening manner.
"How dare you betray me," he growled to Easel. "You were to help me continue my legacy as the most powerful Smeargle who has ever lived. But you denied me. Even with force, you have not produced an Egg…"
"You disgust me," I snarled at him, breaking my false informal guise. "You merely see her as the one who you can have a kit for your own selfish reasons. A kit should be brought into this world with love, not for your own sick reasons."
"Love?" Warhol laughed. "You think that's what it's all about? You really are pathetic. Only the strongest survive. That's why I am undefeated and do whatever I want. And you're certainly not going to change my mind with that load of bull!" I took a threatening pace towards the much larger Smeargle, moving right up close to him.
"I swear to Arceus, if you don't get out of here now I will break every bone in your body," I threatened. "And don't think I won't, neither."
"And what about your precious Smeargle Code, huh?" Warhol taunted, unfazed by my menace. "You know full well that you can't lay a paw on me until sanctioned in a Leadership Battle." I let out a frustrated scowl, causing Warhol to laugh. "You're weak because you play by the rules. Whereas I MAKE the rules around here."
"You aren't in your own territory," Nate protested. "This is OUR home and you are not welcome here."
"Quiet, Pidgey!" Warhol snapped insultingly. "Unless you want to see first hand what I can do."
"We know that you only use Fighting Type moves," Nate growled. "And you know full well that they hardly do a thing to us Flying Types."
"Is that right?" Warhol grinned. "I guess I should prove you wrong." With that, Warhol darted forward, the tip of his tail glowing as he balled his paw into a fist. I could see strange yellow sparks shoot from it, before lunging at Nate and punching him in the torso, burying the fist as far as he could.
"Nate!" I cried, as Warhol's ThunderPunch instantly knocked out the young Xatu…
TO BE CONTINUED