Log Entry 3:

No no nonononono

What

It was going so well

Things stared out OK. Sure, I accidentally killed my first encounter on Route 6, and then accidentally killed the Snorlax of Route 7, but I had an excess of Smeargles anyway, right?

And Route 7 was fun! The riverside, the artists, the Smeargle-obsessed NPCs, hilarious 4-Smeargle double battles, great moves to sketch. Even a field move! I had despaired of ever learning Rock Smash, since Smeargle can't learn TMs or HMs.

Connecting cave brought yet another dead 'mon. I just play it too safe, I guess... or not safe enough. Route 8 brought Greanna to the team... or, rather, the PC box.

Then things went downhill. Literally downhill too, as route 8 goes down a slope, but even more figuratively downhill. Rising Star Rhys lead with a Pancham. A fighting type. I switched to Rafael. He had Harden, surely he could weather the storm. No! With Rafael near death I frantically switched my 'mons in and out, grabbing a hit here or there and taking near-lethal damage each time. The Pancham fell, I breathed a sign of relief... and then Rhys sent out a Skiddo that banished Rafael from this mortal coil.

There was much mourning and nursing of wounds. I started to sneak onward, weary of other trainers...

BAM! MACHOP! No, I turned to Trevon. My darling Trevon. My special sweeper, my coverage. He had Confusion. He would supereffective this monster to death.

...Trevon dealt less than 50% before falling. In a second that seemed to stretch forever, I saw my greatest hope die. Trevon. They killed Trevon. Do you know how hard it to get good special moves on a Smeargle? He sacrifice will always be remembered.

Leonardo would be my replacement special sweeper. I saw a Spoink with Psywave. I tried to get Psywave. I now have SPLASH. Why did a Spoink have Splash. whyyyyyyyy

In Team:

Sasha, Lv. 23, Own Tempo. Beginning to take a greater role as her comrades fall. Sasha, I vow to never let you leave me.

>Tackle

>Endure

>Rock Smash Also she has a field move now! Thank you, NPC Smeargles! (so... how am I ever going to get surf...)

Ketchup, Lv. 26, Technician. I'm counting on you, man. Don't let me down. Your damage-dealing abilities are more important than ever.

>Tackle

>Rollout

>Screech

Soft Ye Now!, Lv. 22, Technicia

>Harden

>Leech Seed

>Sketch

Barium, Lv. 21, Technician. He's still a moveslot underdeveloped, but Brick Break is decent!

>Brick Break. Again, think you, NPC Smeargles!

>Sketch

Leonardo, Lv. 10, Technician. WHY

>Splash. I THOUGHT I COULD OUTSPEED THAT SPOINK

Wilhelm, Lv. 15, Technician.

>String Shot

>Vice Grip

In Reserve:

Greanna

RIP:

Rafael. He learned Metal Claw before giving his life. I'm glad he got a taste of the offensive life he always wanted.

Trevon. One of my earliest Smeargles. A great friend and the Special Sweeper I had dreamed of.