AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 99 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. I decided to have Jack Pollockson and his Smeargle come into the mix for this chapter. You may recall them in the Pokémon: Johto League Champions episode: "The Art of Pokémon." I hope you enjoy, even though this chapter is shorter than other ones.

TEASER: Tristan and Hillary meet a famous artist named Jack Pollockson, but Taz wants to steal his Smeargle so he can paint his own fortune! However, Jack and his Smeargle unveil their secret weapon when they confront him.

Chapter 99: FINE ARTS

(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "Once in a Blue Moon.")

Our heroes are continuing their journey to Silver Town, site of the upcoming Johto League Silver Conference. But first, they must make a stop in New Bark Town so Tristan can register for the tournament, which is still less than three months away.

"We're getting really close now," said Tristan the next morning. "Just imagine how surprised Grandma and Grandpa will be when we stop by and see them."

"Yeah, I can just imagine Grandma's home cooking right now," replied Hillary. "Not that yours isn't bad or anything. It's just that Grandma gives it that extra taste of homemade love to us."

Presently, Tristan saw a building up ahead. "Look, there's a Pokémon Center over there! Why don't we stop here and check it out?"

"Okay," agreed Hillary. "Besides, New Bark Town can't be too far away from here, right?"

And together, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all went inside.

(Music Cue: Ecruteak City (full version))

Inside, they saw a man hard at work painting at his easel. He had white hair and a white mustache.

"Strange place for someone to paint here," whispered Tristan to Hillary.

"Don't say that," replied Hillary. "Remember, in the world of Pokémon, anything can be strange, and as strange as you think this is, this isn't really too bad."

Tristan looked to see what the painter was doing, and he saw a picture of a beautiful sunrise being painted, with three bipedal beagle-like Pokémon standing beside him. They all had tails shaped like paintbrushes.

"Yes, keep standing by, my friends, until I'm ready for you to put in the additional paint," said the painter.

Hillary was curious about the three Pokémon standing beside him. "I wonder what they are," she said as she looked them up in her Pokédex.

"Smeargle, the Painter Pokémon. Colored fluids ooze from their tails, which they use to mark their territory and to express themselves."

"They sure look artistic, don't they?" remarked Tristan.

The painter heard him and replied, "They sure do." He walked over to them.

"Sorry if we disturbed you," said Hillary. "We just couldn't help but wonder what you were doing with that painting over there."

The painter smiled. "I'm planning to paint as many beautiful pictures to sell at the Johto League Silver Conference coming up in less than three months."

"I guess great minds think alike," smiled Tristan. "We're going to the Silver Conference, too, so I can compete in the tournament. My name's Tristan."

Pikachu greeted the painter warmly.

"And my name's Hillary, sir," added Hillary.

"Oh, you don't need to call me that," said the painter. "You can call me Jack Pollockson. I live in a town called Whitestone, which is close to Olivine City."

"So what got you interested in painting, Jack?" asked Tristan.

"My friend, that's an excellent question, and I'd be very happy to answer it for you," replied Jack. "It all started on a beautiful morning 50 years ago." And he began his short story.

"I saw one of the most glorious sunrises that one could ever hope to see. As the sun rose, many beautiful colors could be seen. There was lots of blue, tons of yellow, and glorious reds, all covering the sky at the same time. I've never been able to get this glorious sunrise out of my head for the past 50 years."

"That's why I've decided to take my art supplies on the road, so I can paint a beautiful peaceful picture out here in the woods," said Jack. "That way, I can have all the peace and quiet I need, so I can finish my painting undisturbed by dozens of T.V. reporters."

"That explains why you're here," said Hillary. "And I can understand why you want to come to a private place like this. I mean, if I become a celebrity, I'd want a chance for some peace and quiet, too."

"My Smeargle and I have been together on the road for quite some time, and we could really use a place to try and paint the beautiful scenery, so we came here to this Pokémon Center, so we can capture the glorious sights this place has to offer," continued Jack. "We believe that if you want to experience the love of art, you have to see it in person."

"That's great, Jack," smiled Tristan. "I know just what you mean."

Suddenly, one of the Smeargle, the one with the red tail, started to waver, and collapsed on the ground.

Everyone gasped, for they knew that it wasn't a good sign.

Quickly, Tristan checked the Smeargle's forehead, which was hot to the touch. "This Smeargle's got a fever," he said. "We'd better bring it to Nurse Joy so she can treat it."

"It's lucky we're in a Pokémon Center, because it looks like we might need one," agreed Hillary as she, Tristan, and Jack helped carry the Smeargle to Nurse Joy, who was already standing by.

Outside, Taz, who had seen everything, was cooking up another fiendish plan. "So those Smeargle can paint? Who would've guessed that they could be so talented? Well, with talent like that, I could make a fortune." And he sniggered away.

(Music Cue: Calm After the Storm)

Tristan, Hillary, and Jack watched Nurse Joy, hard at work, treating the Smeargle that they had brought in.

"That very Smeargle had been showing signs of fatigue for the past couple of days because it was working so hard," sighed Jack. "I didn't realize it would lead up to this. I guess I should've been paying closer attention."

"I'm sure Nurse Joy will get to the bottom of the problem, Jack," Hillary assured him.

"Yeah, I just know your Smeargle will be fine," added Tristan.

Nurse Joy came out of the operating room with good news. "Your Smeargle was exhausted, and had a slight fever, but there's nothing you really need to worry about, Jack."

"That's a relief," sighed Jack. "I'm sorry I had to bother you."

"That's no problem," replied Nurse Joy. "Caring for sick and injured Pokémon is what I do, and I was looking for something to do, anyway."

"In future, I'll do my best to pay attention to my Pokémon's overall health."

"That's the spirit," smiled Nurse Joy. "That's all I ask of any Trainer." And she left the room.

Jack gave a contented sigh. "I know that Smeargle has been working hard, just like these other two here. The four of us together make a great team."

"Have you ever battled with them before?" wondered Hillary.

"I've always wanted them to know a variety of attacks before I get them into battling," explained Jack. "But the only move they know is..."

"Pardon me," interrupted a voice. "But I overheard you saying that you had some art here."

Everyone turned to see a smartly dressed man entering the Pokémon Center. Little did they know that it was really Taz in disguise.

"Are you the famous Jack Pollockson of Whitestone?" asked the man.

"Yes, I am," answered the man.

"I knew it!" said the man excitedly. "I've been waiting for a long time to meet you and see those marvelous paintings of yours. And I daresay, those are some very nice paintings you have there."

"Thank you very much, sir," replied Jack. "But I'm afraid I can't take all the credit. I had some inspiration for these paintings along the way. If you'd like, I can give you an autograph of my work and send it to you in the mail on the way to the Silver Conference."

"Oh, thank you so much, Jack!" replied Taz. "You are generous to a fault!"

(Music Cue: Goofball Alert (full version as heard in "Tricks of the Trade"))

Tristan started to get suspicious. "I don't trust that man at all, sis. Maybe we should warn Jack."

"Relax, Tristan," whispered Hillary. "There's nothing to worry about. It's not like he wants to steal anything. Besides, I'd want to sign an autograph to a longtime fan of mine, wouldn't you?"

"Well, maybe you're right," said Tristan.

Presently, Nurse Joy brought the treated Smeargle, who was now fully recovered, out of the examination room. "Well, here you are, Jack. Your Smeargle is back to perfect health."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy," smiled Jack.

"If you need anything, just call." And Nurse Joy went back to work.

The disguised Taz came over to the three Smeargle. "Say, those are some pretty artistic Pokémon you've got there. Are they Smeargle, perhaps?"

"Yes, they are," answered Jack. "They always inspire me to make great works of art, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them."

Suddenly, one of the Smeargle smeared yellow paint all over the disguised Taz's face.

"Augh! My face!" he cried. And he stomped his feet in anger.

"Don't worry," replied Jack. "It's just Smeargle's way of expressing itself. That paint can easily be washed off."

The disguised Taz calmed down. "Oh, is that it? I'm sorry. I guess I was overreacting." And he took a washcloth and wiped the yellow paint off his face.

Now it was Hillary's turn to be suspicious. "That guy's attitude seems strangely familiar to me, too. Tristan, I think you may be right about not trusting him."

Those kids are getting suspicious of me, thought Taz. I'd better make my move while I'm still able. "Excuse me, Jack," he said aloud. "Would you mind if you and your Smeargle stand over there for a commemorative picture? It's all part of this road trip I'm planning to take in a matter of days."

"Of course," smiled Jack. "I'd be happy to assist you with that." And he and his Smeargle stood in front of the wall.

"Say cheese," said the disguised Taz as he took out his camera.

Jack and the Smeargle posed and smiled.

But just then, Taz clicked a button, and a net was launched.

(Music Cue: Team Rocket Appears (as heard in "Hatching a Plan"))

Before the Smeargle could react, they were ensnared in the net and struggled in vain to break free.

"Hey, what is the meaning of this?!" demanded Jack.

"Now that was a good picture," smirked Taz as he threw off his disguise. "Now these Smeargle will be painting my way to success!"

"It's Taz!" exclaimed Tristan and Hillary together.

"Why don't you join them, kiddies?" smiled Taz as he launched another net. This time, it ensnared Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Togepi, and Jack Pollockson.

"Let us go!" shouted Tristan.

"Sorry, but I can't," replied Taz. "I have some pictures I'd love to paint and sell to my client, so I can be rich."

"Quick, come on out, Meganium!" said Tristan as he took out his Friend Ball, which opened, and released Meganium from the white light that shot out of it.

Meganium stood at the ready, waiting for Tristan's instructions.

"Meganium, get us out of the net!" instructed Tristan.

Quickly, Meganium shot a flurry of razor-sharp leaves at the net, which was sliced to smithereens.

Tristan, Hillary, and Jack confronted Taz.

"Now give back the Smeargle, Taz!" demanded Hillary.

"You can't make me!" taunted Taz in a singsong voice as he took out a Poké Ball. "Magmar, use Smokescreen now!"

Magmar emerged from the white light that shot out of it, and unleashed a thick, black cloud of smoke from its mouth, enveloping Tristan, Hillary, Jack, and the Pokémon in it.

"Toodle-oo!" called Taz as he and the captured Smeargle disappeared through the smoke.

When the smoke cleared, Tristan, Hillary, and Jack saw that Taz, Magmar, and the Smeargle were gone.

"They got away," grumbled Tristan.

"Now what do we do?" asked Hillary. "We'll never catch Taz like this."

"Never say never, Hillary," replied Jack. "Look there."

True enough, there were drops of red, yellow, and green paint that were on the floor, leading outside.

"The Smeargle must've left a trail for us to follow!" said Tristan excitedly.

"That means, those drops of paint will lead us straight to them," smiled Jack.

"Let's hurry!" agreed Hillary as she and the others quickly followed the paint trail.

"Aw, come on, youse guys, paint!" begged Taz. "I need you to paint something for my friends back in the Kanto region!"

But the Smeargle refused to budge as they stared longingly at the easel.

Taz became annoyed. "All right, then, if youse won't woik, then I'll make ya woik!" And he threw his Poké Ball.

Electabuzz emerged from the white light that shot out it.

"Now paint, or else," said Taz warningly.

The Smeargle trembled in fear as Electabuzz crackled its electricity.

The Smeargle instantly started to paint.

"Yeah, that's it, fellas, paint something picturesque for me," smirked Taz.

But when Taz turned around, he was shocked to see a mess of scribbles full of different colors.

"No, no, you idiots, paint something lovely, not this!" grumbled Taz.

"Looks like your painting days are over!"

Taz turned around to see Tristan confronting him, with Hillary and Jack right next to Tristan.

"How'd you catch up to us so quickly?!" gasped Taz.

"You see, my talented Smeargle cleverly dripped some paint along the trail," explained Jack. "Pretty smart little painters, aren't they?"

Taz was very angry. "I can't believe it! You dumb Smeargle! We had lost those losers!"

"Hey, you should've known that Smeargle aren't classified as Painter Pokémon for nothing," chuckled Jack.

(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (version 1 as heard in "An EGG-sighting Adventure"))

"That does it!" fumed Taz. "Go get them, Electabuzz!"

Electabuzz charged straight at Tristan, Hillary, and Jack.

"All right, ready, Pikachu?" asked Tristan.

Pikachu ran in front of Tristan and readied itself for battle.

(Music cut)

But the three Smeargle ran straight in front of Tristan and Pikachu causing Electabuzz to stop dead in its tracks.

"Hold on there," said Jack calmly. "I think my three Smeargle will deal with your one Electabuzz."

"But what attack can they do?" asked Hillary.

"Just wait and see," replied Jack.

"Very well, then I'll take on whatever you try and bring at us!" agreed Taz. "Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!"

Electabuzz unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity at the three Smeargle.

"Smeargle One, it's time for our secret weapon," smiled Jack. "Use Sketch."

(Music Cue: OK! (as heard in "A Corsola Caper"))

The Smeargle with the yellow paint grabbed its tail like a pencil, and waved it around, drawing circles around Electabuzz, and causing Electabuzz to stop its attack in its tracks before it could make contact.

"What's Sketch?" asked Tristan.

"You'll see," answered Jack. "But right now, I'll need Taz to send out at least one more Pokémon."

"Magmar, get in there and help Electabuzz!" ordered Taz as he threw his second Poké Ball.

Magmar emerged from the white light that shot out of it.

"Magmar, use Flamethrower!" commanded Taz.

Magmar unleashed a powerful stream of fire from its mouth at the second Smeargle.

"Smeargle Two, use Sketch," instructed Jack.

The second Smeargle with the red paint grabbed its tail, and waved it like a pencil, drawing circles all around Magmar.

"Hillary, do you happen to have any Ice-type Pokémon with you?" asked Jack.

"Uh, yes, I do, why?" wondered Hillary.

"Would you please send it out, and have it do an Ice-type attack?"

"I'd be happy to," agreed Hillary as she took out her Poké Ball. "Lapras, Ice Beam, let's go!"

Lapras emerged from the white light that shot out of it and unleashed an ice-cold beam of energy at Electabuzz, scoring a direct hit on it.

"Come on, Electabuzz, don't let those kids get away with that!" grumbled Taz.

"Now, Smeargle Three, use Sketch," instructed Jack.

The third Smeargle with the green paint did the same thing as the other two, and drew circles all around Lapras.

"Magmar, Fire Punch!" ordered Taz.

Magmar charged forward as it proceeded to attack with one of its fiery fists.

"Smeargle One, use Thunderbolt," instructed Jack.

Jack's Smeargle with the yellow paint unleashed a powerful yellow bolt of Electricity, just like Electabuzz had, and scored a huge direct hit on Magmar, sending it careening into a tree.

"Impossible!" exclaimed Taz. "My Magmar got creamed by that painter?"

"My Smeargles' Sketch techniques allow them to learn the last technique the other Pokémon uses," explained Jack. "And it doesn't matter whether the Pokémon is a friend or foe."

"Now that's artistic," smiled Tristan.

"Good one, Tristan!" laughed Hillary.

Even Jack and his Smeargle couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"Would you mind telling me what's so funny?!" barked Taz.

Taz's shouting immediately got everyone back into attention.

"Electabuzz, use Thunder Punch!" yelled Taz.

Electabuzz charged forward as it made an electrified fist.

"Now, Smeargle Two, use Flamethrower," instructed Jack.

The Smeargle with red paint unleashed a powerful stream of fire from its mouth, and scored a direct hit on Electabuzz, sending it flying into Taz and Magmar.

"Now, Smeargle Three, let's finish it all up with Ice Beam," commanded Jack.

Jack's third Smeargle unleashed an ice-cold beam of energy at Taz, Electabuzz, and Magmar, scoring a direct hit on all of them, causing an explosion that sent them skyward.

BOOM!

Taz and his Pokémon found themselves encased in ice as they flew higher and higher. "Well, back to the old drawing board," he moaned as he and his Pokémon disappeared into the sky.

DING!

"Great job, Jack!" commended Hillary.

"Yeah, way to go!" added Tristan.

"Thank you both so very much," replied Jack. "When it comes to a victory like this, I figured it's best to just chalk it up."

Everyone laughed with the pun Jack just told, including him.

(Music Cue: Meeting and Parting)

"So why did you want to use Sketch on Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, and Ice Beam, Jack?" asked Hillary when she and the others returned to the Pokémon Center.

"You see," explained Jack, "I wanted to get some inspiration from some of these attacks from the three legendary bird Pokémon, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. I remember seeing them in my travels many years ago. I'd wanted to draw paintings of those legendary Pokémon flying gracefully through the world's skies, so I caught these three Smeargle, hoping I could get some more inspiration from these newly learned attacks using their Sketch techniques."

"That's great, Jack," smiled Tristan. "When we get to the Silver Conference, we'll tell everyone all about your wonderful paintings."

"I certainly appreciate that," replied Jack. "I look forward to seeing you compete in the Silver Conference very soon. Good luck in all your upcoming battles."

"Thanks, Jack," said Tristan. "I'll do my best."

Pikachu eagerly agreed with him.

That evening, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all waved goodbye to Jack as they walked from the Pokémon Center onto the road.

Jack and his Smeargle waved back, hopeful that they would meet them again.

With another colorful adventure freshly wrapped into their minds, our heroes continue their journey to New Bark Town, where Tristan and Hillary will be able to reunite with their grandparents. Then it's on to Silver Town and the Johto League.

► TO BE CONTINUED