Chapter 7: A Test of Strength & Skill
After being put to training by wearing heavy braces on their arms and legs, Happy and Charles carried on the task of doing Master Zamenza's shopping by receiving the eggs and milk he wanted. Baye was studying plants under Happy's grandfather Moody, as she had a lot to learn before her next chance at her internship. The next morning, Happy and Charles awoke to look for Master Zamenza outside. However, like yesterday, he was nowhere to be seen.
Charles: Oh great! He's not here again! Didn't he say he wanted us to prepare for training today? If so, where is he? I hope he's not gonna-
Before Charles could finish, a voice shouted…
?: DODGE!
Without a quick reaction, Charles was punched squarely in the nose as he flew a few feet into the hall and landed on his back, surprising Happy as he wasn't expecting it. Zamenza himself shook his head as he knew they had a long way to go and said...
Zamenza: ...You weren't ready.
Happy: *laughs* Charles went flying.
As Charles got back up, he wasn't in a pleasant mood.
Charles: *groans, rubs face, frustration mark* H-Hey! That was uncalled for! You really are trying to kill us!
Zamenza: I never said anything of the sort. Besides, I have to test you this way every morning to awaken your senses.
Charles: "Senses", my flaming tail! I don't like being punched like that without a warning.
Zamenza: I did say "Dodge", after all.
Charles: How is that helping?!
Zamenza: *sweat drop* (...Oh boy...We're gonna be at this for a while…)
Happy: What are we gonna do today, Master Zamenza?
Zamenza: I'm glad you asked, my boy. You two are gonna fight.
Charles: Fight?! I'm gonna give you a fist fight, that's what.
Zamenza: No, no. I'm not gonna be the opponent...yet.
Charles: Huh?
Zamenza: Give me a minute, will you?
Zamenza clutched his spoons harder, preparing something that was unknown to them. A few grunts and groans later from their master, they saw a rock that became a dinosaur-like doll in mere seconds. To Happy it was like watching a magic show, while Charles was somewhat astounded.
Charles: ...Did you just...turn a rock into a doll?
Zamenza: That I did. This doll is going to be your opponent.
Charles: I don't get it.
Zamenza: Well, you two are going to learn how to use moves.
Charles: ...So, a warm-up before we actually fight you?
Zamenza: ...You...could say.
Charles: Geez, cut it out with the mysteries, old man!
Zamenza: Sorry, sorry. What I meant was that you two are going to practice using moves on this doll for a while. Now, just because it's a doll doesn't mean it won't move. I've made it where it will at least dodge your attacks. Now, during that, you must pay attention to it. Dodging is key in fights, especially when you are attacking an opponent.
Happy: So, we still have to wear these braces?
Zamenza: Yes, Happy. It'll be crucial to your strength.
Happy: Okay!
Charles: Speaking of, I feel like I can actually stand in them, but if I get knocked down again, I can't really get back up. What about you, Happy?
Happy: I can move a little easier today than yesterday.
Zamenza: So, it really is working. Looks like you both have acquired a little bit of strength today. Like I said, keep wearing those for a while, and you'll be moving like normally in no time.
Happy: But, while we're practicing, what'll you be doing, Master?
Zamenza: Hmm...I'm going to leave for a while. But don't worry. I'm going to be alright. Now, you two get to practicing. I expect to see you both master moves by the end of the day.
With that said, he teleported from sight, leaving the two boys alone with the dinosaur-like doll.
Charles: ...So, who's starting first?
Happy: I guess I will!
He inhaled, then blew bubbles from his mouth, which didn't really surprise Charles much. Happy laughed from the bubbles floating around, but to Charles, he wanted to get things over with.
Charles: That's impressive and all, but you'll never hit anything with that. Watch me and you'll learn how to do it right.
Charles inhaled and spat a small ball of fire at the doll, which dodged without any effort. He wasn't surprised, as Zamenza had already told them before leaving. Happy was still excited from the attack, seeing something that he never did before.
Happy: Ooh! Do it again! Do it again!
Charles: What? My Ember attack? Psshaw! It's nothing. Why don't you try hitting the doll with your move?
Happy: So, can I use Ember too?
Charles: *sweat drop* Uh, I don't think it works that way.
Happy: Why not?
Charles: Well, you see...you're a Water type Pokemon. Pokemon like you can't learn it, just like how Pokemon like me can't use Bubble, which you did earlier.
Happy: Oh, I see! *laughs* I'm gonna blow bubbles at it!
He inhaled again and blew bubbles at the doll, who dodged it with no effort. Despite it, Happy was giggling out of fun, which brought a little smile to Charles's face.
Charles: *chuckles* You're having way too much fun with this, aren't you?
Happy: Yeah!
Charles: (...He's enthusiastic, that's for sure…)
Happy: So, Charles. What other moves do you have?
Charles: Hmm...Let's see...Well, I do have Scratch and Leer, but Leer isn't something I use too often since I'm not intimidating enough…
Happy: Ooh! Wanna see me do something cool?
Charles: Sure.
Happy: Okay!
Happy withdrew his head into his shell and pulled it back out with a smile on his face. To Charles, this was something new.
Charles: Whoa! What do you call that move?
Happy: I dunno. I thought it was cool to do!
Charles: *sweat drop* So, you went into your shell and never knew what you did? That's pretty strange.
Happy: I just like doing things!
Charles: Yeah, but we're still going up against this doll, you know. It's not gonna move unless we attack it.
Happy: So how do we attack it?
Charles: Just like before. This time, we'll do it together.
Happy: Alright! Sounds good!
They both inhaled and fired their Ember and Bubble attacks at the doll, which just dodged their attacks again with no amount of effort.
Charles: Man, that thing's nimble, I'll give it that.
Happy: Charles, what does "nimble" mean?
Charles: Oh, uh...It means someone who's fast.
Happy: Oh, so it's fast?
Charles: Yeah. Say...that Bubble attack you used earlier...It gives me an idea…
Happy: Like what?
Charles: Hmm...Like...We could use those to distract it. Say like, you blow it into his direction, except you could spray it all around instead of one direction. In other words, aim them in more than one direction. When it's fully distracted, I'll hit it with an Ember attack. Sounds good?
Happy: Yeah!
Charles: Alright! Ready?
Happy: Ready!
Charles: Blow!
Happy inhaled again, this time using Charles's instructions. He sprayed the bubbles in an arc, which dispersed them around the doll. Despite its effortless dodging, it was now trapped. Charles saw an opportunity to strike.
Charles: EMBER!
He shot a small flaming ball filled with sparking heat at the doll, hitting it head on. It burned away before turning into a rock, marking it their first victory.
Charles: Yes! We did it!
Happy: *laughs* We did it! We did it!
Charles: Now, that's what you call "teamwork".
Happy: …"Teamwork"?
Charles: Yeah. We worked together to take it down.
Happy: Oh, I see!
?: Congratulations. I never expected the two of you to team up together to take it down.
Zamenza appeared in front of them from a bright flash, startling them for a second.
Charles: Hey, old man! Watch where you appear from!
Zamenza: Ohohoho! Sorry. But anyways, congratulations. However, this is far from over. You two still have to learn more moves. By the way, Happy, that head into shell thing you did earlier is called "Withdraw". It is said to increase Defense. Quite handy for a turtle such as yourself.
Happy: Withdraw...Withdraw...Okay!
Charles: So, you were watching us the entire time?
Zamenza: That's right.
Charles: (...What a weird old man…!) A-Anyway, how do we acquire these "new moves"?
Zamenza's face turned serious for a moment.
Zamenza: You'll have to be pushed to do that.
Charles: P...Pushed…?
Zamenza: In other words, you can't just learn them willy-nilly. Sometimes to summon great strength, one must be put in danger to push themselves. In other words, no danger, no reward.
Charles: ...So, you're trying to kill us, then.
Zamenza: ...Something like that…
The ground suddenly shook, which made them uneasy on their feet. Despite the braces, they stood still. Zamenza on the other hand didn't look fazed for a second.
Charles: ...You're up to something, old man…
From the depths beneath them emerged a giant rock-like snake covered in moss. It had beady red eyes and roared at them like a predator. To Happy, this monster was familiar. Charles however screamed from the sheer size of the monster.
Zamenza: I forgot to tell you. This is your danger right here. A wild Oddix. You boys think you can beat it?
Charles: A-A-Are you kidding?! This thing's massive! We can't beat it!
Zamenza: Oh well. I do have one piece of advice.
Charles: Oh yeah?! What's that?!
Zamenza: …Don't die.
Charles: Oh, you are the worst, old man!
The Oddix roared fiercely, which to them was loud, but on the outside of the bubble, no noise could be heard. Zamenza himself teleported from sight, leaving the boys to fend for themselves.
Happy: It's that rock-like snake from before! *laughs* It wants to play!
Charles: Happy! Does this thing look like it wants to play?! We're gonna get eaten by it!
Happy: Really?
Charles: Oh, definitely! In simple terms, we're gonna die!
Happy: ...What's that like?
Charles: *groans, facepalms* Look, can we-
The Oddix roared and charged towards them. Noticing this, Charles only had one word to say…
Charles: RUN!
They both ran from it, but it was indeed faster. They still stuck together despite it catching up.
Happy: *pants* Charles! What's it like to die?!
Charles: *pants* Look, imagine if you're an apple!
Happy: Okay!
Charles: Now, suppose someone comes by and eats you for your juicy contents!
Happy: Okay!
Charles: Now, imagine what it would feel like when someone chews on you, bit by bit!
Happy: Well, I can see myself being chewed up!
Charles: Exactly! Now think about how it feels to be in the stomach of that someone!
Happy then pieced it together, realizing just how dire the situation was.
Happy: So, I'll be trapped in there forever?!
Charles: Exactly! Well, until you turn into an unpleasant thing for it to poop out of!
Happy: *screams* I don't want to be food!
Charles: We have to get away from it somehow!
The Oddix burrowed underground, which caused them to stop for a moment.
Charles: It went underground…
Happy: W-What do we do, Charles? It's going to eat us up!
Charles: I don't know. But it's not pleasant.
The Oddix resurfaced, with its mouth open towards Charles. He froze in fear as it got closer. To Happy, he didn't want to see his best friend eaten by a monster, which forced him into action.
Happy: Hey, monster! Eat this, then!
He took a cue from his grandfather, offering himself as a meal. To Charles, this was the first time someone would put themselves in jeopardy to save his life.
Charles: No! Happy! If you're going to be eaten...Then I'll join you!
They stood together, bracing for impact. The Oddix swallowed them whole and stood up to make sure they went down easily. Inside the Oddix, Happy and Charles slid down its throat. They knew they were going to die. A surge of adrenaline clicked in with the two of them, now wanting to fight for their lives. Happy opened his mouth and sprayed shots of water, while Charles unleashed a stream of flames from his. From the outside, the Oddix roared in pain, writhing around from the attacks they were using.
As they continued pouring their attacks, they managed to escape the belly of the beast, now outside facing its large head.
Charles: Whoa…! Did we just...learn a new move?
Happy: I think so.
Charles: Come to think of it, this monster's pretty weak. I think we can beat this thing!
Happy: Should we do that "teamwork" thing again?
Charles: Oh yeah!
They shot the same new attack as before, damaging the Oddix. It roared in pain as they continued pouring on the power. Despite their best efforts, the Oddix roared and burrowed underground. It put them on guard until Master Zamenza appeared again out of nowhere.
Zamenza: Good job, boys. I thought you both would be dinner.
Charles: *frustration mark* Old man, are you trying to completely kill us with that wild beast?!
Zamenza: Nonsense. Although, you two don't have to worry about it anymore. It fled elsewhere.
Charles: And how do you know that?
Zamenza: Judging by the attacks you two dished out to it, it thought that retreat was the best option.
Charles: I hope you're right…
Zamenza: Of course I'm right. Besides...Didn't you boys unleash a new move suddenly?
Charles: Oh yeah, that's right! I shot more streams of fire than a small orb of fire.
Happy: I also shot some water instead of bubbles!
Zamenza: Congrats, boys. You've grown a bit. Charles, that move you used is called "Flamethrower". It is much more powerful than your Ember attack.
Charles: Alright!
Zamenza: And Happy, you learned Water Gun, which I'm surprised to see how you could spurt it out.
Happy: *laughs* Alright! I'm a Water Gun!
Zamenza: That's right. Now, you two can rest for the day. Those braces within a week will allow you both to feel stronger than before. Just remember, I will keep punching you if you step outside until you master using your senses.
Charles: *groans* Oh no…
Happy: So, what are we going to do tomorrow, Master?
Zamenza: I'm going to do the same thing as today. I'm going to be training you two until you're both ready to enter the Pokken Martial Arts Tournament. It will take a whole year for us. And don't forget, your own Master is doing the same thing too.
Charles: I don't understand. Why do you have to train as well if we're the ones needing the lesson?
Zamenza: Because an idle master is a terrible master. Besides, I need a little good action now and then in my ripe age.
Happy: So, we're going to learn new moves as well?
Zamenza: You bet. I'm not going easy on you boys, because come tournament time, most Pokemon out there aren't going to give you the time of day to fight. Even the real world is cruel, so always make sure that you're doing everything you can to ensure your survival.
Happy: Okay Master Zamenza!
Charles: Sure.
Zamenza: Now, come inside. I need help preparing for dinner.
Happy: This early in the afternoon?
Zamenza: Of course! We're going to have a big feast. Don't want a tired stomach to train on, do you?
Happy: Of course not!
Zamenza: Then come inside. I'd...like some company to be around.
Charles: *sweat drop* (...He must be a very lonely old man with no life…)
Happy: (...Grandpa...I'm getting stronger…! I can't wait for you to see what I can do a year later in the tournament…!)
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