Chapter 63: Artistic Passion

Zacks's POV

"Woooowwwww!" I said, marveling at the interior as I followed both Laura and my trainer into the interior of the ship we were on, only to be met by a most spectacular sight. I didn't really know how to explain what I was looking at. I suppose starting at ground level was always the best way to start. From where I stood, people and pokemon alike bustled every which way whether they be passing by us to exit or walking in and around us, meeting up with others they knew to stand and chitchat with one another, or even walk up the long flight of stairs that were on the far ends of the room. Tables and chairs were scattered about in one section as I would assume was a lounge area for those, considering the fact some were sitting while others were eating. There were a few long lines of people and pokemon standing in one place to get somewhere I couldn't even begin to guess.

The interior of the room was shaped circularly which didn't make a whole lot of sense considering how the outside part was constructed, but then again do I ever really pay that much attention to the anatomy of what humans create? Looking across from where I stood were a pair of double doors that looked like it led to an entirely different room. What lied beyond there was something I would have to explore later. Some feet from the flight of stairs were long pillars that reached up to the floor above. There was no telling what lied up there, which of course led back to me placing it mentally on the list of places to check out later. Lights flooded the ceiling all around which was probably helpful during night so others could see where they were going. There were at least two or three other floors above that one with the same amount of lights flooding the ceiling.

Looking all the way up to the very top, I could see as much as the outside sky from the round hole the ship had. I found it quite curious as to why a ship would have a huge, gaping hole in its ceiling yet I couldn't help but feel like there was something obstructing anything outside from coming inside. Further proof of this confirmation came as a random bird pokemon suddenly flew down and practically sat itself down on what was seemingly nothing. It was like that time I ran into that invisible force that made up those accursed doors that were the bane of my existence. They didn't like me so I didn't like them. That'll teach them.

Speaking of the bird, I took notice that it was now looking downward, no doubt observing what was occurring below it yet I couldn't help but feel it locked eyes with me since I was looking up at it. I don't know what possessed me to do so but I slowly raised a paw and waved right up at it. All it did was stare… stare… stare… its beady eyes casting judgment like we were nothing but insignificant lowlifes to it and it thinking it was better than everyone else since it sat so high and mighty above all others. I had half a mind to fire a Psybeam up at it, but considering the distance between us, it would definitely move long before my attack even reached it.

"What's up, Zack?" I heard my trainer ask, snapping my attention onto him as I felt him pat my head. "Taken in awe by the inside?"

"Wouldn't this be his first time on a cruise liner?" I heard Laura ask. "Come to think of it, wouldn't this be all of our first time being on one?"

"I think so," my trainer answered. "I've always wanted to ride one at least once. Now I'm living the dream!"

"You're such a dork!" Laura laughed, resulting in my trainer getting angry at her.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same, wouldn't you agree, Zack bro?" I heard Ted say as I turned and found him standing right next to me. It was a little unexpected, but not entirely… at least this time.

"Err… I suppose," I replied, uncertain of how to answer his question.

"Perhaps you should consider more bonding time with your trainer," Ted suggested. "As well as Laura, even though she's not your trainer."

"Then why suggest it?" I asked.

"I figure since we're traveling together we might as well spend the time," Ted replied. "Then again, you're only at the beginning stage with yours. In time though, that bond will strengthen no doubt."

"Whatever you say, Ted," I said, resulting in him laughing.

"Don't mind me, Zack bro," he said. "I tend to get immersed in the thoughts that swirl in my head sometimes, but it's all good. Just take it one step at a time, one day at a time."

I gave a blank blink at him, chalking it up to him being him as usual. Sometimes he made sense, other times he did not, but I'm sure he had a good message in there somewhere for me to understand. I just haven't figured it out yet, depending on if I wanted to figure it out. Darn it! Now I'm beginning to think like him a little, I think. I had to do something fast to break free from this mind control he had on me but what?

I opened my mouth to say something random when a flash of light burst from Laura onto the floor before us, taking the familiar form of the Drowzy. "Oh!" I heard Laura say in surprise. "It's D.Z.!"

"I still think that's a bit of a weird name," my trainer said as D.Z. shook his head.

"Finally!" he said. "I didn't think I would ever get out from that stupid fake world!"

"'Sup, bro?" Ted greeted, receiving a nasty glare from him. "It's been a while."

"Great," D.Z. said, crossing his arms. "It's you two. What, are you going to try stopping me from leaving again like all of you are doing? I'm not here to get all friendly with you. I'm heading back home. I have that right."

"I suppose you have a fair point," Ted said, completely chilled. "You're free to leave if you wish, but it might be a bit impossible at this rate. We're not exactly anywhere near land currently."

"Are you serious?" D.Z. yelled. "Are you trying to make my life miserable at this point? Because I'm not taking any more of this! I demand that you all take me back to my home! You all owe me!"

I took a look over towards our trainers who were being questioned by a few people D.Z.'s yelling attracted. Laura I could tell was completely embarrassed by how red her face looked while my trainer was reassuring them that it was just a small dispute between us. Something had to be done fast before things escalated to a point that would get us in trouble. That didn't help though as D.Z. continued his ranting.

"On top of all that, you all owe me the items I lost to those lame townsfolk! My life was perfectly fine before the lot of you showed up!"

As he opened his mouth to continue, he stopped suddenly as he finally took note of his surroundings, falling stunningly silent as his gaze was captivated by the interior we stood in, watching what I think were his ears pointing straight up. His once contorted face of anger softened into a look of awe and shock as he gazed around the scenery before him, scarcely a breath leaving him. Even my trainer and Laura were surprised by his sudden change in behavior.

"Wh-what is this place?" he asked.

"It's a cruise liner," I told him. "It's a place where everyone comes to vacation."

"Close," Ted said. "But great effort."

"What?" I asked him.

"This place… this place is incredible!" D.Z. said. "I would even say that it would make a far better living place compared to my old home."

"Oh dear," Ted said.

"Yeah!" D.Z. said with an air of awe. "This will do just nicely. There has to be a place here no one will bother to find me at."

"Uh… where's he going?" Laura asked as he suddenly took off running.

"I doubt he's going to jump ship," my trainer said. "If anything, probably to find someplace to hide until we reach land."

Laura could only sigh. "This is going to take a lot of work with him."

"Seriously," Charcoal said queasily as he was keeping himself sturdy upon our trainer. 'What were they expecting?"

"Well I suppose it's up to me to retrieve him," Ted said as he began to follow pursuit.

"You sure you'll be alright?" I asked him.

"Can't say for sure, bro," Ted replied. "His energy is a total opposite of mine so there's a lot of willpower to control from my end. Worry not though, I'll just go with the flow and figure it all out."

"If you say so," I said as I watched him walk off.

"Come on, Charcoal," I heard my trainer say. "Let's get you to the room so you can rest for tri-"

He was suddenly interrupted as Charcoal's stomach gave in and all over our trainer's shoe.

"Oh boy," Laura said with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'm… fine," my trainer said. "It's nothing to worry about." He lightly touched Charcoal's head and gave a little smile. "Just hold on tight, okay? We'll be back on land in no time."

"Yeah, okay," Charcoal mumbled as he slowly crawled his way towards a nearby chair. "Think I'll just sit here for the duration. Sorry."

"It's okay," I told him. "Just rest and don't strain yourself. Ted and I will handle things."

"Will do," Charcoal said as he sunk into the chair which I surprisingly found did not catch fire from his tail. The whole thing must have been fireproof on the off chance for a situation like this. With Charcoal out of commission, Ted searching for D.Z., and our trainers going off to whatever room they mentioned, it gave me the perfect opportunity to do some explori-

I stopped mid-thought as I looked back up towards the ceiling my attention was on before to see a familiar pink cat staring down at me from above in place where the bird was moments before. Only one thought crossed my mind as I stared back at her which I could only imagine she was staring down at me; and that thought was the fate of the poor bird who may have met an unfortunate encounter with the crazed Skitty.

I found myself staring down at the ground floor minutes later after climbing up the flight of stairs to the level above, getting a different viewpoint from a completely different vantage point. I now know how that now possible traumatized bird saw the world below it, but dared not to think of timing that by… well… a whole lot of numbers, depending on how high up in the sky one could really go. Still, there was a thrilling sense of excitement welling up inside. This was only the start of my exploration of this vastly wide ship I was on. The previous one we were on didn't hold much to capture my attention, but this one… this one appeared to have way more that was more than deserving to check out.

This also gave me the opportunity to follow the line of people and pokemon to where the start of it originated, finding them talking to at least one or two people who stood behind some kind of oddly raised table that appeared rectangular in shape, but had a slight curve to them. There must have been something special about them if some of the lines were as long as they were. This upper floor I was on was somewhat similar to the ground floor, but without all the added eccentricities below, considering the lack of floor. I suppose it was for the better. One wouldn't be able to gaze at such a view on the upper floors if it was obscured by nothing but floor.

Much like how the ground floor was designed, the second floor did in fact have a pair of double doors exactly in the same spot as the ones below, leading down a hallway that had many other doors embedded on either side of the wall. That was enough to make my head spin. Thankfully I wouldn't have to enter each and every one of them. That would take the entire trip for sure.

Taking a look across from where I stood, much like the flight of stairs, there were two doors on opposite ends leading to the outside and possibly higher up on the ship. There were additional doors to the left and right of me which I think was a smart idea on the off chance some kind of emergency occurred and two exits wouldn't be enough for everyone to scramble out of. Between those doors and the ones across from me there were at least two wide open doorways on either side leading to rooms. What those rooms held were yet to be seen.

As it were, my ears picked up the faint sound of music wandering out from one of them on my right side. It was as good a place to start as any. Keeping my hearing attuned above all the bustling noise around, I followed the trail of music to the furthest room as it grew louder with every step I took.

My vision enhanced suddenly as I walked inside, the glow of my rings lighting up the section I stood in. I really didn't know if it was due to something I felt or if it was just a natural reaction I had no control over. It did make me wonder how I wasn't spotted that day I first met Destiny. Then again, those lights he had shining all around probably dimmed my rings to where I wouldn't have been seen. Talk about luck.

Snapping myself from my thoughts, I took a look around the room only to find tables and chairs filling up the place. Nothing but multiple round tables with those four legged chairs that could easily be moved. I couldn't tell where one side began and where the other ended. Something shiny from above caught my eye and looked up towards the ceiling to find a large, round, shiny ball slowly rotating above. Skitty would definitely have found a way to grab said ball if she were to walk in at this moment. The ball wasn't the only thing that was attached. I couldn't quite describe what they were. All I knew was that they were flat and spun with a little more speed than the ball. I could feel a bit of a breeze coming from them as I tried counting how many there were, but simply stopped figuring I would have to do a lot of walking around. That wasn't what I was here for after all.

The music I came to investigate was much louder now and coming from my right side apparently. So like what anyone would do in a situation like mine, I followed the source of the music, my hearing sensors surprisingly not overwhelmed by the very source. It was sort of like a soft, gentle melody that played which is what probably lured me in as the cause. Perhaps I was one of few who could pick up such a soft tune.

As I walked closer, the chairs and tables finally came to an end leaving a wide, open space in between them and what appeared to be the floor but a lot higher than the one I was walking on. I couldn't really tell what all was up on that section of the floor. From a long stick with something resting atop it to some oddly shaped object with strings to even the largest, widest piece of furniture I've seen yet, it simply astounded me that there was more to what these humans do and what more they could do that made my curiosity pique an interest; but it was the last piece of furniture that had my attention for sitting at it, a long tail covered with the end shaped like a brush covered in green, two brown stripes each around his arms and one each around his ankles, and his head in the shaped of a hat, was a Smeargle, playing the soft melody of music I had been following this whole time.

His expression was relaxed, but focused as he kept his eyes upon his fingers as he moved them, his tail swayed every now and then like it was entranced by what he played. From the looks of things, it appeared he was content in what he was doing and decided to sit and listen to him for it was the kind of music that was easy on the ears. One could get lost in such a melody, an escape from the world itself to some other foreign world that one could be lost in for days, months even. Who really knew? All I really knew was that I found myself completely relaxed and feeling my mind going a bit hazy. I never knew music could be this wonderful.

"Different types of music draws in all kinds of beings based on their personality," the Smeargle spoke, soft with a hint of passion from what could be mistaken as an emotionless tone. "The fact that you're here means you're a compassionate kind of Pokemon."

I blinked as it dawned on me she was aware of my presence, my mind slowly returning to the world around me as I found myself standing up suddenly. "Oh! Uh… sorry if I disturbed you."

"It's quite fine," was her response. "I was aware of your presence the moment you set paw inside. I felt the music's flow change when you did."

"The music's flow?" I asked curiously. "What do you mean by that? I wouldn't think music would change by one's presence."

"Tell me something: what's your first though when you think of art?" the Smeargle asked.

"Art?" I asked curiously. "What's that?"

"Ah! A wild I see."

"Wild?"

"It's what we call those without trainers," the Smeargle replied. "No offense of course."

"I have a trainer though," I said.

"Then you're a trained wild," the Smeargle said. "Or rather, a wild in training."

"I guess that would make better sense," I said. "This art thing you mentioned: is it like using your tail to paint pictures?"

The Smeargle ceased playing suddenly as she looked over at me. "So you are aware of art, but not of its meaning then?

"I… guess?" I replied questionably. "I did meet a Smeargle before and watched him use his tail to paint. I think I was more amazed by that fact than anything else back then."

The Smeargle before me gave a small chuckle. "So you thought that Smeargle's use of his tail was the coolest thing you've seen then? He made no mention of what art was?"

"Not to my memory," I replied sheepishly.

"Honesty. I like that in a being. But let me tell you: there's more to art than just being able to paint."

"There is?"

"Art… is an expression of one's imagination," the Smeargle explained. "It is a power of beauty and emotion from one's passion come to light in the most creative way one can think of. It is more than just a pretty picture. Art can be crafted from anything physically so long as you have the emotion of inspiration to create it in reality."

"I think that makes sense," I said, rubbing my head to understand it all. "So would that mean that this very ship is a piece of art?"

"In a way," the Smeargle explained. "Everything created comes from the base idea of thought; thought comes from the base idea of imagination; both go hand in hand, the outcome: this. Creation can never come to life if it is not thought of. Once made, it can be either a complete disaster or a complete masterpiece."

"There's a difference?"

"Take this seat of which I sit upon," the Smeargle continued. "You wouldn't want to sit on a seat with three legs with the fourth sticking out next to you, would you?"

"That would be distracting," I commented.

"Quite," the Smeargle agreed. "Such an unruly thing should be taken apart and put back together the way it was intended, but not all disastrous creations are not as disastrous as one thinks. For example, imagine a painting layered in nothing but black paint which is layered upon black paint which is layered on another coat of black paint. To many, it would be nothing more than a canvas of black, but to those who can see past that can feel the emotion the artist felt when creating it."

"That one makes no sense," I said. "How can people feel emotion from a painting?"

"Hmm," the Smeargle pondered as she rubbed two digits of her paw together for a moment before she returned her focus upon me. "Tell me something: what do you feel when you battle? What inspires you to fight?"

I blinked. I opened my mouth to respond but found no words to say as I began pondering the question. "You know, I never once stopped to think about that. I guess I find it kind of fun to battle to see how I match up to others."

"That's a good source of inspiration right there," the Smeargle said. "And tell me: has there ever been a time that you used battling in a style no one else would think of?"

"How do you mean?"

"In a creative way," the Smeargle replied. "A style of your own that your opponents wouldn't expect. One that you thought of on the spur of the moment even."

"That is a good question," I answered to her as I thought back on all the battles I had been in, replaying each one in my head. "I suppose there was this one time I used my Shadow Ball to launch myself into the air. That was back when I was fighting against the friend I have now. I also did a similar thing when I was fighting this Onix at this gym. I used my Shadow Ball to launch myself out of range of his attack."

"Were there any follow up moves you stylized to defeat the Onix?" the Smeargle asked.

"Not really," I told her truthfully. I just threw a few more attacks at it before taking it down with an Iron Tail. I did the same thing to the Gyarados at the second gym, only I added a bit of spin to my attack to add some power to it."

"Brilliant!" the Smeargle spoke with that hint of passion in her tone. "Absolutely brilliant! Now that is a form of art I can admire!"

"Wait! What? Battling can be art too?"

"Just like music, battling is a passion of art," the Smeargle answered.

"How… can battling be art?" I asked. "Wouldn't it just give my opponents the opportunity to beat me if my attacks don't hit?"

"Not necessarily," the Smeargle explained. "Battling and art go hand in hand as well. You can make your attacks appear dazzling, but given how you think up your attacks it can ensnare your opponents that by the time they realize they land the fight will have long been over."

"Huh," I said intrigued. "You think that might work?"

"With a little practice," the Smeargle replied. "If you wish to study how Pokemon attack in such a style, there's a place they go to to show off the result of their artistic training. It's simply known as a Contest Hall, much like a gym only they distribute ribbons for the most stylish forms of attacks."

"Is that so?" I said as I felt excitement welling up inside me. "That would be cool to add this artistic style of battling to my er… battling when I'm fighting!"

"It will definitely come in handy when you most need it," the Smeargle agreed. "Especially in the gym battles you have yet to battle in which of course brings me this question: how many gym battles have you fought in so far?"

"Three," I answered her. "Though the previous one I was in, let's just say some complications occurred so we're going to work out those complications before returning."

"I see," the Smeargle said. "That works perfectly then if the next gym you're heading to is where I think you're heading to."

"Which gym is that?" I asked.

"Saffron City: home to the Psychic Pokemon."