[09] Jack_the_PumpkinKing vs Kindling Queen

1vs1 Single
DQ: 3 Days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned Moves: direct healers limited to 1/pokémon, chills 3/pokémon

Terrain: Artisan Cave

While crowds gather to watch the league championships rage aboveground, a smaller, rather more furtive group of trainers are drawing together in a somewhat more subterranean locale. A small, ragged opening in the side of the cliff at the edge of the Battle Frontier leads into a surprisingly spacious cavern. This is the fabled Artisan's Cave, home to Hoenn's only native population of smeargle and now the stomping ground of trainers looking to shoulder their way into the ranks of those battling for the championship.

Powerful halogen lights cast a cold white glow through what would ordinarily be a dim cave, and most of the wild smeargle have been scared away by the crowd and the unnatural illumination. One or two can still be seen lurking in the shadows, curiosity overcoming fear, and every trainer has managed to acquire one--which they are now frantically training up, teaching all the techniques they can think of before a battle in which the freshly-caught pokémon will be their only companion.

The center of the cave is flat and open stone, leaving plenty of space for unhindered brawling. Around the edges, though, it starts to rise in uneven, craggy tiers, with plenty of loose stones and jutting stalagmites providing a potential means of escape or gaining higher ground for any smeargle inclined to take advantage. The ceiling of the cavern is high enough as to be lost in darkness so that any weather conditions magically called into play by the smeargle's sketch will function as normal.

A whine of feedback cuts through the chatter of the trainers crowded into Artisan's Cave, eliciting winces and expectant silence in the anxious group. Battle pairings are read off and a general scuffle ensues as people try to pair up, try to find an empty spot to start their match, try to figure out where their smeargle got off to while they weren't looking. After brief confusion most of the trainers manage to get sorted out, a couple giving a last few desperate instructions to their smeargle companions, gesturing with paint-spattered hands while the pokémon looks on in confusion. As the referee appears to handle the match, there can be no more stalling: nervous smeargle are hurriedly ordered forward, commands are given, and the battles commence--while, all the while, curious eyes gleam out of the darkness as the round's strange audience crowds around just out of reach of the light, waiting to see the outcome of this unexpected gathering.

Jack_the_PumpkinKing's smeargle: Frida (F)
Moveset: Sketch, Tail Whip, Doubleslap, Iron Tail, Protect, Aura Sphere, Air Slash, Ice Beam, Earth Power, Shadow Ball, Energy Ball, Dragonbreath, Charge Beam, Conversion, Toxic, Leech Seed, Nasty Plot, Sleep Talk, Refresh, Taunt, Defend Order

Kindling Queen's smeargle: Meso (F)
Moveset: Sketch, Tail Whip, Doubleslap, Iron Tail, Protect, Dynamic Punch, Drain Punch, Disable, Swords Dance, Spore, Nightmare, Bide, Taunt, Spite, Endeavor, Safeguard, Agility, Defense Curl, Odor Sleuth, Rapid Spin, Rollout

1. Kindling Queen attacks and declares an ability for her smeargle
2. Jack_the_PumpkinKing attacks and declares an ability for his smeargle

Okies-let's go with Technician my lovely!

So, we'll start us off with a Safe Guard. Afterwards go and use Agility off to the side and away from the flat stone preferrably by a stalagmite. Finish up with Defense Curl. If the bugger tries a fighting type move switch your action to Disable and strike immedietly after he does it thus pushing each move down an action.

Safe Guard/Disable~Safe Guard/Agility/Disable~Safe Guard/Agility/Defense Curl/Disable

I'd actually like to go with Own Tempo on this one.

Okay, Frida, concentrate. As quickly as you can, try to Taunt Meso to the best of your ability. If you see the Safeguard go up, though, don't even bother - use Defend Order instead. On your second action, use Toxic; or if Safeguard is up, use Defend Order again instead. On the third action, use Leech Seed; or if Safeguard is up, use Nasty Plot.

Oh, and if Meso comes near you, try to stay on higher ground than her.

Taunt/Defend Order ~ Toxic/Defend Order ~ Leech Seed/Nasty Plot

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- Drawing nonsense on the floor.

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- Lashing her tail nervously.

As luck would have it, the only female smeargle captured for this phase of the tournament end up facing one another in battle. Frida and Meso stare at one another from opposite ends of the arena, clearly uncomfortable in their positions as newly-trained pokémon. As commands are issued, Meso clutches her tail tightly and keeps a wary eye on Frida, ready to respond according to how the other smeargle acts. For a moment, Meso looks a little unsure of what she has to do, but then she hesitantly raises her tail and sketches a very, very rude symbol in the air between her and Meso.

The other smeargle's nerves are forgotten in a wave of pure shock as Meso takes in what Frida's drawn. Frida smirks--Yeah, that's right--and then elaborates on her drawing, throwing graceful arcs of magical paint through the air, creating a dense network of elegant symbols that only another smeargle would be able to interpret. Meso's getting the message loud and clear--in the gentle sweep of Frida's brush is a disdainful message, in that graceful flourish a clear challenge. That's right, this is what a real artist looks like, Frida's brushwork says. You really think you can win against me, you talentless hack? Give it your best shot. As a couple more effortless curves flow by, Meso is grinding her teeth and gripping her paintbrush tightly, shock forgotten, along with her commands, in the face of the other smeargle's insults. A small smile graces Frida's face as she puts the finishing touches on her masterpiece. Oh, yeah, and your mom? She could only draw stick figures.

Meso snarls, trying to think through the red haze starting to cloud her vision. There was something she was supposed to be doing... something about protecting herself with energy... but there's no time for that now. Right now, all that matters is revenge. With little clear thought in her head as to what she's going to do, Meso abandons her usual artistry and opts for a more direct approach. Running at Frida, she tackles the other smeargle to the ground. A brief scuffle ensues before Frida manages to pull away from her reckless opponent, then delicately reach in with her tail and sketch a quick skull-and-crossbones motif on her opponent's chest while she is still recovering. Meso looks down at the mark, momentarily puzzled, then lets out a pained hiss as it starts to burn; apparently the paint that Frida used to make it wasn't non-toxic.

The other smeargle isn't done yet, either. Flicking her brush-tipped tail at Meso, she scatters droplets of bright green paint across her opponent. These transform upon contact with the smeargle's body, sprouting shoots and roots that tangle Meso in a bloodsucking mat of malicious greenery.

Meso's had just about enough of that--as if insulting her weren't enough, Frida's going to go and pull dirty tricks on her! Meso lets out another incoherent snarl and launches herself at Frida again, punching and kicking and pulling the other smeargle down into another awkward scuffle. This time it is Meso who breaks off the attack, though, winded and a little bruised, but actually feeling a bit better after taking out her anger on her opponent.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 96%
Energy: 96%
- Feeling okay in the wake of her rage. Seeded (3%/round). Badly poisoned (3% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 90%
Energy: 88%
- Doing fine.

Final Notes
- Meso struggled twice.
- Jack_the_PumpkinKing attacks first next round.

Okay, Frida, wonderful work. This round, your default commands are two Defend Orders and a Nasty Plot. If Meso is ever commanded to use Spore, I want you to start Refreshing before she uses it and keep the Refresh going through the entire Spore attack (even if it takes you a little extra energy). If you're Taunted or otherwise unable to perform your default commands, give me three Charge Beams.

Defend Order/Refresh/Charge Beam ~ Defend Order/Refresh/Charge Beam ~ Nasty Plot/Refresh/Charge Beam

Huh, use Taunt okies? Then we'll get em' with Spore and Nightmare. The Leech Seed will go away by next round, I promise. We don't have Rapid Spin for show. ^<

Taunt~Spore~Nightmare

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 96%
Energy: 96%
- Feeling okay in the wake of her rage. Seeded (3%/round). Badly poisoned (3% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 90%
Energy: 88%
- Doing fine.

Meso smiles and spins her tail in her paw for a moment before getting down to business. Time for some sweet revenge. Sweeping her tail out with a flourish, she starts to create a fantastic mural in mid-air, dense networks of smeargle-signs coming together in an intricate span of abstract forms and daring splashes of color. At first Frida is only bemused, but as Meso continues her work, it suddenly strikes the smeargle all in a rush. Meso is trying to out-taunt her taunt! The smeargle's magical painting is full of subtle references to Frida's work, turned inside-out and upside-down in gleeful parody, her best insults thrown back in her face with a little extra sting. Meso smirks at Frida as comprehension dawns across the other smeargle's face and adds a couple more obnoxious swirls to the edge of her piece.

Frida simply can't let Meso get away with this. Thoughts of defending herself go out the window as Frida searches through her orders for the most painful way to get back at Meso. Charge beam recommends itself, and Frida flicks a streamer of paint from her tail, which transforms into a sparkling bolt of electrical energy as it flies through the air. Meso's taunt vanishes as the smeargle ducks out of the way of the ill-aimed attack; apparently Frida's anger made her hasty and careless in the casting of the charge beam, and the electric attack burns a small black spot into the wall behind Meso instead of into the smeargle herself.

Of course, now Frida's even more angry, but Meso isn't worried. Spraying a fine mist of paint from her tail, the smeargle watches as it transforms into a dense cloud of spores that engulf Meso in a faint green cloud. The enraged smeargle swats irritably at the spore attack, then blinks slowly as it starts to take effect. Her anger lets her resist the attack for longer than she ordinarily would be able to, and though she sinks to her knees, head nodding, she manages to keep her eyes open long enough to give Meso a death glare. The spore is stronger than the smeargle's resolve, though, and Frida finally collapses, a snore escaping her lips rather than a curse.

While Frida rests easy, Meso begins cooking up some of the most awful scenes she can think of to haunt her opponent's dreams. Meso sketches them in the air, sinister shadowy shapes that drift towards Frida as soon as they emerge from Meso's brush. A steady stream of specters and ghouls marches into Frida's head, and the smeargle whimpers in her sleep, curling up and beginning to shiver as her subconscious is caught up in the throes of a terrifying nightmare. Meso smiles and goes back to spinning her tail, then grimaces as a nasty pang from the weird mark on her chest reminds her that there are many indignities for which Frida has yet to pay.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 90%
Energy: 84%
- Vindicated. Seeded (3%/round). Badly poisoned (3% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 88%
Energy: 83%
- Dreaming of hideous experiments in fanart. Taunted (3 more actions upon awakening). In the grips of a nightmare (3%/action). Deeply asleep.

Final Notes
- Frida's charge beam missed.
- Kindling Queen attacks first next round.

Okies, begin with Rapid Spin to get the Leech Seed off and use Iron Tail with it t increase the impact. Wait though to see if any moves made actually work so that you can take a chance to avoid them if they are on the offensive. Afterwards use Agility to boost your speed for the advantage and avoid further damage by concealing yurself behind some of those stalagmites.

Rapid Spin+Iron Tail~Agility

Unfortunately, not much we can do here, Frida. Sleep Talk for as long as you're asleep, then when you wake up, fire off Charge Beams (and try to get the Sp. Atk bonus, please).

Sleep Talk/Charge Beam x3

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 90%
Energy: 84%
- Vindicated. Seeded (3%/round). Badly poisoned (3% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 88%
Energy: 83%
- Dreaming of hideous experiments in fanart. Taunted (3 more actions upon awakening). In the grips of a nightmare (3%/action). Deeply asleep.

Meso curls her tail back on itself and starts to swab paint along its length. As soon as it touches her fur, the paint turns from green to metallic. Meso's tail is slowly transformed to steel as she works her way along it with her brush, but her eyes are on Frida all the while. The other smeargle is snarling in her sleep, hissing what sound like curses as something churns in her subconscious. At last the smeargle lurches to her feet and Meso tenses, her iron tail already sketched out and ready to deflect whatever might come her way with a rapid spin.

Eyes still tightly shut, Frida describes a sphere in midair with her tail, the magical paint taking on a dangerous glow as it leaves her brush. As soon as the last stroke is closed on the orb of paint, it shoots straight at Meso. The smeargle sweeps into a quick spin, but the aura sphere isn't about to be deterred--it slams into Meso's shoulder, catching her off-balance in a blast of pure energy.

Meso's not about to give up that easily, though. Her tail still glittering metallically, she stumbles to a halt, takes a moment to recover, and then swirls into an even more exuberant spin, swirling across the arena at her opponent before Frida can fall to the floor again. Leech seeds fly off in all directions as Frida spins like an insane top, their fine roots unable to anchor them against the centripedal force the rapid spin subjects them to.

As Meso reaches her opponent, the smeargle's outstretched tail catches Frida in the midriff and, with the extra of the force of the rapid spin behind it, picks her up off her feet and hurls her away into the side of a stalagmite. Frida flops to the ground, face-down, as Meso smoothly winds down to a halt.

Incredibly, Frida is still asleep, even after being subjected to such a powerful blow. She's started murmuring again, too, her voice muffled by the rock her face is pressed up against. Slowly, shakily she rises, raising her tail in one paws as she subconsciously prepares an attack. Jabbing it forward, she sprays a streamer of paint at her opponent, which quickly transforms itself into a crackling column of electrical energy. This time the charge beam attack finds its mark, and Frida yelps as it burns into her chest.

Worse yet, Frida is still on her feet. The smeargle wobbles, her tail falling back to her side as her arms go limp. A grimace stretches across her face and she doubles over a bit, the painful reminder of the iron tail attack gripping her before she is even fully conscious. The smeargle opens bleary eyes and groans; she feels like she got hit by a truck while she was slumbering. As soon as her eyes settle on Meso, the pain is drowned out by a an incredible rush of hatred. As all the anger that was temporarily subjugated by sleep comes howling back, the smeargle growls and snapps her tail forward, splashing a large amount of paint at her opponent. As it flies through the air, the paint swirls around itself and, as before, transforms into a bolt of hissing electricity. This charge beam is significantly bigger than the last, though, and Meso actually takes a step back as it strikes, all her fur standing on end as charge ripples through her body.

Frida, meanwhile, is feeling more energetic than ever, energy flowing more freely around her body than it had before the charge beam. She sneers as Meso bends down and swipes a couple of quick symbols onto her ankles, then takes off at an incredible speed, shooting away between the stalagmites in a blur of motion. Figures, the coward. At least Frida has a general idea of where her opponent's gone, even though she isn't sure exactly which stalagmite, specifically, the smeargle is hunkered down behind.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 59%
Energy: 73%
- Hiding behind a stalagmite. Badly poisoned (4% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 69%
Energy: 70%
- Sore and wrathful. Taunted (2 more actions). +1 Special Attack

Final Notes
- Frida's sleep talks produced aura sphere and charge beam.
- Meso's iron tail did more damage than usual because of the added momentum granted it by rapid spin.
- Frida's second charge beam was a critical hit.
- Jack_the_PumpkinKing attacks first next round.

Okay, Frida, we're going on the offensive this round. Take out all your anger on Meso! Use two Aura Spheres and, when you're unTaunted, a Nasty Plot. If Meso Protects while you're Taunted, use the weakest Doubleslap you can manage. If at any time you're unable to perform your default commands due to something else, Charge Beam.

Aura Sphere/Doubleslap/Charge Beam x2 ~ Nasty Plot/Charge Beam

Okay, considering this layout we'll have to be crafty about this. =3

First we'll use Swords Dance. Let the 2 Aura Sphere's hit you but counter with Endeavor to even things out. Finish up with Drain Punch if the cap isn't met yet but if it is under 10% away from the cap, switch to Spore again. Make your move after ducking behind a stalagmite for cover from the Charge Beam.

Swords Dance~Endeavor~Drain Punch/Spore

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 59%
Energy: 73%
- Hiding behind a stalagmite. Badly poisoned (4% next round).

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 69%
Energy: 70%
- Sore and wrathful. Taunted (2 more actions). +1 Special Attack

Meso sneaks a quick glance at Frida to be sure the other smeargle isn't approaching her hiding place--but no, she's just scanning the stalagmites with her eyes; it looks like she has no idea where Meso might be hiding. Excellent. The smeargle raises her tail and sketches a pair of wicked-looking swords in the air in front of her, then quickly reaches out to grab them as they become solid and start to fall. This next part is going to be tricky--she's going to have to be extra sneaky if she's going to use a swords dance while remaining in any way hidden.

The smeargle darts nimbly from the cover of one stalagmite to the next, using each quick thrust with her swords to carry her into the lee of one of the jutting stones. She moves as swiftly as possible, swords whirring dangerously through the air and confidence surging in her breast, but her attempts are ultimately in vain. The flickers of movement catch Frida's eyes and, though she doesn't really need to aim her next attack, she grins, knowing just where her opponent is.

Once again Frida sketches a swirling ball of green paint in the air, then lets it go zipping off through the air. The aura sphere casually swerves around every stalagmite in its path until it finally corners one and bursts against its target. Frida is knocked clean off her feet, her swords clattering to the ground and then disintegrating, as the orb of fighting energy detonates.

While Meso recovers, Frida takes her time concocting an even more powerful aura sphere for her second shot. Layer upon layer of paint flows from her tail, the ball of power hanging before her growing ever larger. At last it is too large to hold onto at all, and Frida releases it in Meso's direction, smirking as she thinks about the damage it's going to deal.

Meso has only just managed to get back to her feet when another aura sphere, this one even more impressive than the last, barrels into her back. Lying in an aching heap on the ground, she vows revenge, swiping a couple quick symbols on her arms and paws and intricate warpaint onto her face. As her fighting spirit rises to match her new markings, Meso gets to her feet and rushes out from hiding, dodging stalagmites as she races at Frida. The other smeargle dismays as she sees her opponent, entire body glowing with power, bearing down on her; and as Meso reaches her target, slamming a fist into Frida's chest with a great flare of energy, the smeargle is hurled away from the sheer force of the blow.

While Frida lies groaning on the floor, Meso hastily sketches up another cloud of spores, which drift over to cluster over the languishing Frida. The other smeargle struggles against the power of the attack, able to fight it off for much longer than before, but it is still able to drive her down into a deep, unnatural sleep, despite the pain of her injuries and her heightened resistance to its effects.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 28%
Energy: 47%
- Very tired and roughed up. Badly poisoned (5% next round). +2 Attack

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 34% (capped)
Energy: 59%
- Moderately asleep. +1 Special Attack

Final Notes
- Frida's second aura sphere was a critical hit.
- Because Frida was so recently put under by spore, it had less of an effect on her this time.
- Kindling Queen attacks first next round.

Okay, we'll go with Endeavor once more and then two Drain Punches. If any attacks are used, take cover before striking. If any more of those Aura Sphere's are used switch to Protect and continue in the given sequence.

Endeavor/Protect~Endeavor/Drain Punch/Protect~Endeavor/Drain Punch/Protect

Frida, it's crunch time. Those Drain Punches will hurt very badly if you can't do something to avoid them. Sleep Talk if you have to, but once you wake up I want you to Convert yourself to a Ghost type. Then fire off an Ice Beam!

Sleep Talk ~ Sleep Talk/Conversion (Ghost) ~ Sleep Talk/Conversion (Ghost)/Ice Beam

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 28%
Energy: 47%
- Very tired and roughed up. Badly poisoned (5% next round). +2 Attack

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 34% (capped)
Energy: 59%
- Moderately asleep. +1 Special Attack

With her opponent temporarily out of commission, Meso takes her time putting together another layer of intimidating markings to draw out her warrior's spirit. This time there isn't such a great difference between her condition and that of her opponent, so she doesn't need to work near as hard to bring him down to her level. Even so, the blazing aura that springs up around her would be terrifying to Frida were she were awake, and the blows that Meso deals her opponent are far from gentle. In fact, they're enough to knock Frida right out of her reluctant slumber.

The smeargle lies blinking up at Meso, aching and still feeling woozy from the effects of the spore. Her command--dredged up from some deep part of her mind that was listening to her trainer even as she slumbered--is to use a sleep talk, but she's definitely not sleeping now. Perplexed, Frida lies where she is for a couple of seconds, then gives up trying to make sense of the situation and starts covering her body in paint.

Meso's eyes widen as her opponent busily swabs herself with paint, her fur turning weirdly translucent after the brush passes over it. This simply won't do. Hastily swiping a symbol onto the back of her paw, Meso brings her fist, now surrounded by intertwining strands of green energy, down on her opponent. The drain punch makes a solid connection, and Frida breaks off her body-painting endeavor for a moment as she attempts to push her opponent's arm away. The green tendrils surrounding Meso's paw have sunk into what bits of Frida's flesh aren't insubstantial and begun to draw away her lifeforce. Frida panics as she watches the wounds she's inflicted on her opponent vanish before her eyes and struggles away from Meso's touch, a heavy lethargy afflicting her as the energy-draining attack saps her of life.

As soon as she is out of reach, the smeargle finishes giving herself a full-body coat of ghostly paint, transforming herself into an eerie ethereal entity, now fully protected from Meso's drain punches. And indeed the other smeargle makes another attempt at sapping her lifeforce, but Meso's paw just passes harmlessly through Frida's chest, the fighting energy surrounding it powerless to harm the newly-undead Frida.

Frida's next attack is anything but insubstantial, though. Giving her tail a precise flick, the smeargle sends a thin streamer of paint at Meso, which freezes on the fly into a dense column of ice. The ice beam leaves a thin slick of frost behind on Meso's chest, but the smeargle hastily scrapes it away, shivering all the while. The drain punch gave her a much-needed health boost, but she's still in poor form--not as poor as her ghostly opponent, though.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 21%
Energy: 32%
- Surprised by the failure of her drain punch. Badly poisoned (6% next round). +2 Attack

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F) <Ghost Type>
Health: 15%
Energy: 49%
- Suddenly a lot more spooky. +1 Special Attack

Final Notes
- Jack_the_PumpkinKing attacks first next round.

This is gonna get interesting. Protect against Iron Tail, Rollout, or the "release" action of Bide. Sleep Talk if you get put to sleep again. Otherwise, go on the offensive with Ice Beam!

Protect/Sleep Talk/Ice Beam x3

Sketch, Tail Whip, Doubleslap, Protect, Dynamic Punch, Drain Punch, Disable, Swords Dance, Spore, Nightmare, Taunt, Spite, Endeavor, Safeguard, Agility, Defense Curl, Odor Sleuth, Rapid Spin

This just could be it Meso! We'll have to give our all! Hide from the Ice Beam with your speed advantage from Agility using the eve so helpful stalagmites. Then go on and use Odor Sleuth because we knew this would come in handy. We'll close up with two Dynamic Punches. Since your moves call upon her Ice Beams I want you to always return to a different set of stalagmites to avoid the attack best you can. Best of luck hon!

Odor Sleuth~Dynamic Punchx2

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 21%
Energy: 32%
- Surprised by the failure of her drain punch. Badly poisoned (6% next round). +2 Attack, +1 Speed

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (O)

Frida (F)
Health: 15%
Energy: 49%
- Suddenly a lot more spooky. +1 Special Attack

Meso shoots Frida a quick glare before spinning on her heel and hightailing it back towards the stalagmites she'd hidden amongst before. She does have a bit of a speed boost thanks to her earlier agility, but it's nothing like what she would be able to achieve if she were actually pressing herself into the lightning-fast attack right this moment. If she's going to have time to get her attack done before Frida can retaliate, there's really no choice but to try it on the run.

Meso brings her tail around in front of her, glancing between the stalagmite she's picked out to hide behind and the paint-splattered brush on the end of her tail. Well, here goes nothing...

The smeargle rams her tail up her own nose, paint getting smeared all over her snout. The result is predictable: Meso hastily pulls it out again and descends into a fit of sneezing and coughing, her eyes watering madly as she throws herself behind the stalagmite.

Frida watches all this with amusement. Honestly, what does that smeargle think she's up to? Sticking her tail up her nose and running off behind that stalagmite like Frida can't see just where she's going? Chuckling to herself, the smeargle raises her tail and shoots another ice beam at her opponent. The attack is somewhat weakened by the distance between the two smeargle, and some of it freezes uselessly to the side of the stalagmite, but a fair amount still strikes Meso's shoulder, sending a painful shock of cold racing through her body.

Meso snorts in a rather unladylike fashion, her nose tingling all over. As she does, though, she realizes something strange: her sense of smell has become hugely magnified. She can pick out the scent of the water dripping from stalactites overhead, her temporary trainer standing way off on the sidelines--and, of course, her opponent, ghostly though he might be. Her only hope to hit him with her next attack is to identify the one spot on his ethereal body that remains solid enough for her dynamicpunch to affect it.

And, of course, there's way she can stay hiding here any longer. Dashing out from around the stalagmite, the smeargle smears a symbol on the back of her paw that begins to glow a brilliant gold. Frida chuckles to herself as she watches--another fighting attack? Yeah, like that's going to do anything. But Meso's face is set in deep concentration; she pinpoints one spot on her opponent's body where her scent is strongest and, skidding to a halt in front of Frida, swings her slow but powerful punch home.

Frida doesn't even have a chance to be surprised; the dynamicpunch connects perfectly with an incredible blast of light--disorienting even in the best of circumstances, but for Frida, weak as she is, the dynamicpunch is easily enough to pitch her straight into unconsciousness. The smeargle collapses to the floor, shimmering uncertainly a couple times before settling back into full corporeality, while Meso gives a weary smile.

Kindling Queen (O)

Meso (F)
Health: 12%
Energy: 19%
Victorious!

Jack_the_PumpkinKing (X)

Frida (F) <Ghost Type>
Health: 0%
Energy: 43%
Knocked Out!

All right, that's the match. Great game, both of you; it was right down to the wire. Kindling Queen gets $20 for winning and gets a spot in the main tournament; Jack_the_PumpkinKing gets $10, and I get $15.