Rin had half a mind to think the Smeargle had splattered their face with red paint from its tail while Rin blinked. Though this was not the case. This Smeargle just had some serious guts! "Well look who's changed their tone from earlier." Rin commented, noticing the complete 180° the Pokémon exhibited from its ealier attitude. It had seemed quite sassy at first, but now through hazes of leaves and poison it had revealed it's tie nature to be a bold one. "You know, you've got the stuff to make it on my team, but I'm afraid I'm not really a Patron of the Arts. So!" Rin pointed at the Smergle for dramatic effect. It was close to all that was keeping their interest in this fight. It seemed like it was going nowhere. Nevertheless, Rin marched in place, keeping their spirits high. "You may be tough, but we're going to be wrapping this up soon! Osaja! " The Leaf Pokémon already knew what his Trainer was going to say and released another Razor Leaf.

..."You know, you've got the stuff to make it on my team, but I'm afraid I'm not really a Patron of the Arts. So!" Rin pointed at the Smergle for dramatic effect. It was close to all that was keeping their interest in this fight. It seemed like it was going nowhere. Nevertheless, Rin marched in place, keeping their spirits high. "You may be tough, but we're going to be wrapping this up soon! Osaja! " The Leaf Pokémon already knew what his Trainer was going to say and released another Razor Leaf.

Another wave of leaves went flying directly at Smeargle. At such close range he wasn't able dodge many, but again, all vital spots were protected. Never the less, he continued to march right on up to Osaja. He then sat in front of the Bayleef and looked her in the eye. After an awkward moment he began to speak bold yet quiet words. Just what he was saying, only Osaja knew.

Result: Smeargle is Strange

Hephaestus took an unbelievably strong hit, Liz knew he wouldn't be able to take an other. She called him back and decided it was time to try her newest partner. She reached for the pokeball and tossed it in the air, Bayleef landed and looked back with a look of annoyance.

"Chloris, I need your help, let me see your impressive reflect!!" She asked the big green pokemon.

A Bayleef! Now there was some prey! Ariados prepared a fearsome Infestation and began to charge forward. That's when another Ariados magically appeared right in front of him. Sure he was handsome, but above all, he was scary. Did Ariados accidentally wander into someone else's territory? In the confusion, the large spider lost the will to fight. He turned tail and ran as fast as he could. Luckily the other Ariados went the other way as well.

Result: Psyche!!!

Liz could not believe it, the Ariados was scared off by it's reflection. Liz gave herself a face palm as she recalled her Bayleef, she lost a lot of time fighting that pokemon. She ran on ahead putting the Ariados out her mind, her Pokemon we're becoming stronger, she knew she would win at the gym this time, and she couldn't forget about that Aggron on route two, it wasn't where she needed to go but if she was lucky she wouldn't forget that powerful pokemon!!

She made it to the edge of the woods, she could see a little lake a distance off, but she couldn't stop now. She had a mission, Liz kept her eyes peeled as she continued running.

@balthazar007

For all of the weird turns this battle had taken, from the Smergle's initial dismissal to the suddenly indomitable will to now, this was probably the weirdest. The wild pokémon finished their walk through Osajyin's attacks only to sit in front of him. Was it actually Gentle or Lax? Rin couldn't get a read on the Painter Pokémon. Lucky for them it wasn't the Trainer the Smergle initiated conversation with. It was Osajyin that the wild pokémon seemed interested in.

"Bay," Osajyin casually greeted, before the Painter began sharing hushed words with him; its earlier will seeming to have waned after so slightly. Perhaps it was the attacks, or maybe this Smergle was just as enamored by Osajyin's beauty as Olotah had been. Had the Painter became a poet? Were these private sentences lines of some sonnet? Only Osaja knew, and with his naturally calm demeanor it was hard to get a read on him either. Rin had opened their mouth to speak multiple times over the course of their pondering, and every time they shut it again. Finally they figured they'd just wait it out, it's not like they could communicate with Smergle anyway; their hearing aids weren't so top of the line that they could translate pokéspeak. Sadly. A thought then crossed Rin's mind. What if they taught their pokémon sign language!? As that revelation overtook the trainer's mind with the promise of possibility, their second starter attentively listened to what the wild Smergle had to say. His Trainer may have thought the other to be strange, but Osaja had an open mind, and understood exactly what it was trying to say.

Liz could not believe it, the Ariados was scared off by it's reflection. Liz gave herself a face palm as she recalled her Bayleef, she lost a lot of time fighting that pokemon. She ran on ahead putting the Ariados out her mind, her Pokemon we're becoming stronger, she knew she would win at the gym this time, and she couldn't forget about that Aggron on route two, it wasn't where she needed to go but if she was lucky she wouldn't forget that powerful pokemon!!

She made it to the edge of the woods, she could see a little lake a distance off, but she couldn't stop now. She had a mission, Liz kept her eyes peeled as she continued running.

In the distance, underneath a small tree, a wild Girafarig ate leaves from the lower reaching branches. His rear facing head was keeping watch out for possible predators. His bites were slow and measured. The word 'rush' was far from his mind, a very mild mannered Pokemon indeed.

"Bay," Osajyin casually greeted, before the Painter began sharing hushed words with him; its earlier will seeming to have waned after so slightly. Perhaps it was the attacks, or maybe this Smergle was just as enamored by Osajyin's beauty as Olotah had been. Had the Painter became a poet? Were these private sentences lines of some sonnet? Only Osaja knew, and with his naturally calm demeanor it was hard to get a read on him either. Rin had opened their mouth to speak multiple times over the course of their pondering, and every time they shut it again. Finally they figured they'd just wait it out, it's not like they could communicate with Smergle anyway; their hearing aids weren't so top of the line that they could translate pokéspeak. Sadly. A thought then crossed Rin's mind. What if they taught their pokémon sign language!? As that revelation overtook the trainer's mind with the promise of possibility, their second starter attentively listened to what the wild Smergle had to say. His Trainer may have thought the other to be strange, but Osaja had an open mind, and understood exactly what it was trying to say.

Smeargle was not happy about his mural being desecrated only moments before. His tone was measured, but his words were bold. Bayleef and his trainer should leave now. They had over stayed their welcome. There was no way he would ever go along with someone that would so carelessly order an attack near fine art. Nor would be partners with the Pokemon that actually did the deed. Osajyin might have been lackadaisical, but Smeargle's presence was firm.

Result: Words Can Hurt

Liz walked along the path, she needed a small break from running, lest she burn herself out. Among a tree a distance away was a Girafarig eating, its tail vigilant for attack. Knowing sneak attacks were pointless she walked close to the Pokemon.

"Hello, I would like to try and catch you. So let's battle!!
Arachne, show me a good infestation if you don't mind dear??" Spinarak came out ready for battle, it skittered along the ground, making it's way to the wild pokemon.

@balthazar007

Liz walked along the path, she needed a small break from running, lest she burn herself out. Among a tree a distance away was a Girafarig eating, its tail vigilant for attack. Knowing sneak attacks were pointless she walked close to the Pokemon.

"Hello, I would like to try and catch you. So let's battle!!
Arachne, show me a good infestation if you don't mind dear??" Spinarak came out ready for battle, it skittered along the ground, making it's way to the wild pokemon.

Girafarig would have been content minding his own business, but suddenly he sensed danger coming from behind. Keep in mind that his second head didn't have ears or a brain large enough to understand Liz's words. All Girafarig knew was that danger was coming from behind. Reluctantly, he turned his head to face the oncoming threat. Then he pointed his 'tail' directly at Spinarak to cast Confusion. The Psychic attack intercepted Arachne before she could get close.

Result: Stalemate

The moves collided with each other in a bright light. Thankfully Arachne took no damage, but it seemed neither did Girafarig. Disappointed Liz regrouped quickly and tried to strategize. Than she remembered the wild pokemon had a weakness to dark and ghost moves, she had just the pokemon.

"Arachne, sweetie, thank you, but Phoniks will handle this from hear on out. Come out honey, use pursuit!!" As usual the Murkrow came flying out rashly and begin attacking the Girafarig.

@balthazar007

The moves collided with each other in a bright light. Thankfully Arachne took no damage, but it seemed neither did Girafarig. Disappointed Liz regrouped quickly and tried to strategize. Than she remembered the wild pokemon had a weakness to dark and ghost moves, she had just the pokemon.

"Arachne, sweetie, thank you, but Phoniks will handle this from hear on out. Come out honey, use pursuit!!" As usual the Murkrow came flying out rashly and begin attacking the Girafarig.

Girafarig hesitated when the trainer brought out her next Pokemon. He was considering running away. That obviously wouldn't be an option though as Phoniks came out ready using Pursuit. In surprise, his front legs jumped up, hiking him up to a hind leg stance. From this angle, he could only think of one move to try... Stomp!

Unfortunately for him, the Murkrow was too agile and made it around his desperate move. This knocked him off balance as he came tumbling to the ground. Fumbling around, he managed to raise himself back up.

Result: Hot Pursuit

The Girafarig took a solid hit, Liz didn't want to let the Pokemon have a chance to escape. She pulled a pokeball out and tossed it in the air at the Pokemon.

"No chance today my friend, your joining me!! Phoniks if it gets out and tries to run use an other Pursuit!!" Murkrow nodded and awaited to see what would happen.

@balthazar007

The Girafarig took a solid hit, Liz didn't want to let the Pokemon have a chance to escape. She pulled a pokeball out and tossed it in the air at the Pokemon.

"No chance today my friend, your joining me!! Phoniks if it gets out and tries to run use an other Pursuit!!" Murkrow nodded and awaited to see what would happen.

The Pokeball's light pulled Girafarig inside. He struggled with all his might.
One....
....two....
.......three....

Pop!

Girafarig bounced back out. The used Pokeball flew up high in the air. Murkrow obediantly launched another Puirsuit toward the Girafarig. Just as the ball came back down, Girafarig jumped up, twisted around, and spiked the ball straight at Murkrow. The unexpected movement broke the bird's path of attack, and allowed him enough time to make an escape. He ran as fast as he could, over the hills and out of sight, too fast for Liz to follow.

Result: Almost!

Liz tried her hardest to catch the Pokemon, but it was just not meant to be. It escaped before Phoniks could do anything meaningful. Liz recalled the Murkrow sadly and continued on her way towards town, she came out the woods to the familiar scene of rolling hills. Halfway there she decided to start running again, the faster she got to town the better!! She enjoyed the wind in her hair and the fresh air. She had never felt so free!!

@balthazar007

Liz tried her hardest to catch the Pokemon, but it was just not meant to be. It escaped before Phoniks could do anything meaningful. Liz recalled the Murkrow sadly and continued on her way towards town, she came out the woods to the familiar scene of rolling hills. Halfway there she decided to start running again, the faster she got to town the better!! She enjoyed the wind in her hair and the fresh air. She had never felt so free!!

The late afternoon sun was bright in the sky as Liz ran through the hills. Along the path she was running, a wild Larvesta was out soaking up the sun. Then it saw Liz approaching from the distance. This Larvesta was a bashful girl. She quickly buzzed over to hide in some nearby grass. She would come back out once the trainer was gone.

Liz was making good time running through the hills, she knew she had to be nearing Sunsay town. As she crested a she saw a Pokemon duck and try to avoid her. She began heading that way to confront the wild pokemon.

To late, I saw you, now I am going to try and catch you!! She thought to herself. As she got closer she saw it was an other Larvesta, she reached for her pokeball and tossed it up.

"Alright Phoniks, let's make a new friend, we could use it's help at the gym!! Use peck now!!" The bird pokemon came out itching for a fight.

@balthazar007

Liz was making good time running through the hills, she knew she had to be nearing Sunsay town. As she crested a she saw a Pokemon duck and try to avoid her. She began heading that way to confront the wild pokemon.

To late, I saw you, now I am going to try and catch you!! She thought to herself. As she got closer she saw it was an other Larvesta, she reached for her pokeball and tossed it up.

"Alright Phoniks, let's make a new friend, we could use it's help at the gym!! Use peck now!!" The bird pokemon came out itching for a fight.

Larvesta's attempt to hide was apparently in vain. Liz sent forward her Murkrow to attack the creature. Larvesta became nervous. Direct conflict was not her favorite thing in life, but it seemed to be the only way out. So she closed her eyes, took flight, and Flame Charged right toward the oncoming Murkrow.

Surprisingly, the bashful tiny creature began to burn with an intense flame, and her speed was incredible. She had become a tiny, destructive, meteor.

Result: Blind Destruction

As Rin turned around to share their master plan with Osajyin, his suddenly upset expression made them pause. Rin had only looked away for a moment, what could they have missed? The trainer walked over to pet their pokémon's leaf. "What's worng?" Rin turned to look pointedly at the wild Smergle in accusation. "Did he say something to you, Osaja?" The wild pokémon looked back at Rin with just as much zeal as it had before. "I don't know what you said, but I don't appreciate it!" Standing up between the two, Rin placed their hands on their hips defiantly. "Go ahead, Osajyin. If this Smergle wants to smack talk or whatever, then it can get smacked down just as well." Turning their head back to look Osajyin in the eyes, Rin jerked their in the Painter Pokémon's direction as they issued the command. "Use Razor Leaf." Osajyin paused and pulled a face. With his newfound appreciation for art, instilled in him by Olotah, he understood why the Smergle was so upset. Rin just didn't know what he knew. 'Would they even care?' Osajyin wondered in his mind. "Come on, Osaja! Don't let him push you around," Rin egged on, "Use Razor Leaf!" With a noncommittal sigh, The Bayleef did as he was told. 'Oh well, he and his art will recover soon enough,' the Pokémon thought as he attacked.

Annoyed that an other powerful pokemon got away Liz recalled Phoniks and continued on her way. Just as the last of the light was receding she made it to town. She dropped her Pokemon off at the PokeCenter and went and got a meal. She was exhausted, in three days she had battled so many pokemon and ran back and forth between the two towns. She need a good night's rest, she pulled out her Pokedex and sent a message to Rin.

Hey there my favorite rival, are you in Sunsay?? I just got back, our next battle I have a surprise for you!! I am going to go challenge the Gym tomorrow, hopefully I will see you before I go on!! Liz.

Liz had her Pokemon returned feeling brand new, she decided to call it a night and go back to the gym when she was refreshed herself.

@balthazar007

As Rin turned around to share their master plan with Osajyin, his suddenly upset expression made them pause. Rin had only looked away for a moment, what could they have missed? The trainer walked over to pet their pokémon's leaf. "What's worng?" Rin turned to look pointedly at the wild Smergle in accusation. "Did he say something to you, Osaja?" The wild pokémon looked back at Rin with just as much zeal as it had before. "I don't know what you said, but I don't appreciate it!" Standing up between the two, Rin placed their hands on their hips defiantly. "Go ahead, Osajyin. If this Smergle wants to smack talk or whatever, then it can get smacked down just as well." Turning their head back to look Osajyin in the eyes, Rin jerked their in the Painter Pokémon's direction as they issued the command. "Use Razor Leaf." Osajyin paused and pulled a face. With his newfound appreciation for art, instilled in him by Olotah, he understood why the Smergle was so upset. Rin just didn't know what he knew. 'Would they even care?' Osajyin wondered in his mind. "Come on, Osaja! Don't let him push you around," Rin egged on, "Use Razor Leaf!" With a noncommittal sigh, The Bayleef did as he was told. 'Oh well, he and his art will recover soon enough,' the Pokémon thought as he attacked.

Osoja used Razor Leaf once again, but Smeargle was better equipped to deal with it at such close range. With much flexiblity from his sitting position, Smeargle lowered himself forward, close to the ground. This caused most of the leaves to fly right over, but a few still managed to get stuck on his back. When Osaja's attack was over, he simply sat back up, shook off the leaves, and looked Osoja boldly in the eyes.

Result: Pure Determination