Stunky and Smeargle

It was either very late at night or very early in the morning, depending on one's point of view. The stars were still twinkling in the western sky, but the eastern sky was beginning to turn violet-blue. A few people and Pokemon were preparing to help the majority of the city's dwellers to get into their morning routine. To these morning workers, it was the start of the day.

While the Art Museum would be closed for a few more hours, two Pokemon were inside discussing the art. One of them was rather lovely, with her long and soft violet hair, sleek body, and button-cute eyes. However, she inspired more fear and loathing than awe. The Stunky reputation ruined most of their chances in society. This was why she worked the night shift guarding the Museum; most patrons never knew she even lived there.

The other was more socially acceptable... to a point. He was quite likely the scruffiest Smeargle in the world, with a few cobwebs clinging to his tan fur, smudges of painting fluid on his tail, paws, and nose, and most of his left ear completely missing. As an instinctively artistic Pokemon, Smeargles were novelties admired and collected by the elites of society. This particular Smeargle, though, wasn't exactly high-class material even if he was considered a prodigy of his race.

"This painting must represent the struggles of the common man," the Smeargle was saying. "Observe our central gray figure: the vast kaleidoscope of modern society overwhelms his mind with potential, pressure, and problems."

The Stunky gazed at the painting, then replied, "Picasso, it's a bunch of colored splotches."

"No it's not, Lucy. You have to destruct the meaning, find the symbolism within. See how the figure of the common man is curved and natural, while the other figures are hard, sharp, and angled? This is a battle for the man's soul reduced from the fine trappings of things as we see them."

"It looks messy to me, like something a Bidoof could have splattered out with his paws."

"But that would be mindless splatters, not art. Art must have the mind and soul of creativity behind its creation, such as this painting before us."

"Uh-huh, and how do you know that?"

Picasso flicked his tail; Lucy ducked to avoid a splotch of paint. "That does take training or talent, I suppose. That's the problem with modern art; it can only be appreciated by certain minds."

The guard Pokemon continued on her walk around the Museum. "I like the Renaissance art. It's pretty and you know it's art."

The artist went with her. "Well that was before the invention of photography. Once making images became so easy that any idiot on the street could do it, the true artists had to find ways to vindicate their talents to the masses."

"Why don't you do Renaissance art?"

"It's harder for me, since I can't make my tail do fine movements like humans can. Changing colors is even worse; if I use anything other than my natural green, I have to use my paws."

"I understand. And your paintings are better than those scribbles in this traveling modern exhibit. Your pictures actually look like stuff."

"But my work has to look like more than just stuff," Picasso insisted. "I have to add soul and passion to the lines and shapes. Then it's art; otherwise, it's just a picture like a photograph."

"How do you add something like soul?"

"That is one of the eternal mysteries of the artist."

There was a tinkle of broken glass hitting the floor in the next room. Lucy sighed. "And that would be a dumb art thief. Excuse me." She ran ahead.

"See?" a muffled voice said. "This museum has horrid security."

"But they've never had anything stolen from them," a second their answered. "They must have something in place."

"I checked the place out this whole week. There's some stuff, but easily bypassed. Now come on; the morning crew will be here in a couple of hours."

Lucy entered the room and growled. Holding her tail high, she stared down the two thieves. "I won't let either of you get away cleanly."

The second thief, who had just come in through the window, dropped against the wall. He cut his hand on a broken shard doing so. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! You said nothing about the Stunky!"

"It's just another Pokemon," the first thief said, although he was hesitant to come closer. "Not even an intimidating looking one."

"But nothing gets rid of that stench! And I hear they're territorial..."

Lucy stepped towards them, getting a cringe from both. "And you'd better believe it. You gonna try anything, punk?"

"Our Pokemon can take it... I think." The first thief stepped back. "On the other hand, we might attract attention. Let's retreat and find another way in."

"Ri-right boss." He hurried back out the window. The other followed soon after.

Lucy came over and sniffed the ground. "Good, they left evidence." She left the room. "I'll need to... what are you doing?"

"Leaving my mark," Picasso replied. He had drawn a symbol that looked remarkably like a Smeargle missing his left ear. "I'm the special guest today, so the signs should have my mark."

She sighed. "I suppose it'll have to stay for the day. Look, could you keep an eye on that broken window? Just make sure no one comes in."

"Sure. What are you doing?"

"I have to hit the security alarm to get the police out here, then check to make sure that this wasn't a distraction. The safety of the art overnight is my priority."

"Ah, I see." He looked at his paw, then asked, "Say Lucy, do you mind it when people freak out just on seeing you? I noticed that you didn't even have to spray them."

"Sometimes I think it would be nice if people weren't intimidated by me. But if it were like that, I couldn't do my job." She started off, but then thought of something. "I usually don't have to spray anyone. Which is good; the custodial staff hates having to neutralize the stench and the Museum would have to be closed for a few hours."

"So they can get rid of it?"

She chuckled. "Because I make sure that the fluid itself sticks to the thief, like you make sure yours sticks to your design. With that marking, anyone who would try to steal from my museum would be caught easily."

Picasso laughed. "Excellent, dear lady. Carry on with your job; I'll watch the window."

…

Stunky Diamond entry: It protects itself by spraying a noxious fluid from its rear. The stench lingers for 24 hours.

Smeargle Diamond/Pearl entry: It marks its territory by using its tail like a paintbrush. There are more than 5,000 different marks.

Before any art history buff calls me on it, Vincent van Gogh is the one who cut off his ear, not Picasso. Picasso makes for a more interesting name, though.